The 2012 Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles Championships features high profile first round matches, including a battle of former top-ranked players. Jelena Jankovic has drawn a four-time Grand Slam champion in the first round – Belgian Kim Clijsters. With Clijsters already announcing her intent to retire from the game for good after the US Open, her trip at the All England Club could be cut short by Jankovic – who just made the final in Birmingham a week ago but the Serbian will certainly find it a difficult task against Clijsters since she only won once against Clijsters in their seven prior meetings.
Top-seed and Roland Garros 2012 winner Maria Sharapova faces Australian Anastasia Rodionova in the first round and this is expected to be a routine win for the Russian. Sharapova would expect a tougher competition starting in the fourth round – where she could potentially meet 2011 semifinalist Sabine Lisicki. In the quarterfinals, she could potentially meet new top-ten player Angelique Kerber and in the semifinals, she might meet current number three Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. Meanwhile, Radwanska’s road in this grasscourt Slam is tougher since she could potentially meet five-time champion Venus Williams in the second round. Williams, unseeded in this tournament, will face Russian Elena Vesnina in the opening round.
Fifth-seeded Samantha Stosur is aiming to improve her best finish in Wimbledon – having gone as far as the third round in the past. She is expected to win her opening round against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain.
Second-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will be meeting dangerous Irina Falconi of the USA in the first round and should she overcome her next three opponents, she could meet former top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the quarterfinals. Wozniacki has had less exposure on grasscourts this season, with an opening round loss at Eastbourne this week.
Defending champion and fourth-seeded Petra Kvitova will open her campaign at the Centre Court against Uzbek player Akgul Amanmuradova. Kvitova could meet four-time winner Serena Williams in the quarterfinals. Williams, seeded sixth this year, will face Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in the first round.
Experts are predicting a blockbuster Wimbledon 2012 Ladies’ Singles Championship match between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova – a replay of the 2004 encounter at the same stage where then 17-year old Sharapova stunned Williams to claim her first Grand Slam title. Who do you think will win?
