Wimbledon 2010 Preview: Women

There is also plenty to look forward to in the women’s draw this year with no one woman dominating the season so far.

With Serena and Venus the number one and to seeds a repeat of last year’s final is on the cards should both players get through the draw.

Having said there are plenty of players who really could cause an upset over the next couple of weeks. We take a look at the contenders.

Since winning the Australian Open title at the beginning of the year it’s been an injury hit season for the world number one and top seed.

Her early clay court season saw her struggling to get back into some form but she did improve her level of play at the French Open.

But fell in the quarter final to Australian Sam Stosur, who went on to make the final, but is the heavy favourite at SW19.

She has a straight forward opening match against Michelle Larcher De Brito of Portugal but could face Daniela Hantuchova, Lucie Safarova or Li Na along the way.

But the tastiest clashes for Serena come later down the draw as she could potentially face Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniaki or Sam Stosur.

Venus Williams has had a very good year so far as she has risen to number two in the world after some good results on the clay.

At the French things didn’t go quite as expected as she lost to Nadia Petrova in the fourth round in straight sets.

She faces Rossana De Los Rios in her opening round but she is in the same half of the draw as Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin and Jelena Jankovic.

And Jankovic is another player to keep an eye on as the fourth seed. She has enjoyed a very successful clay season, reaching the semi final in Paris, and is looking for her maiden Grand Slam title.

But all eyes will be on Clijsters and Henin as they return to Wimbledon for the first time since they came out of retirement.

Neither of the Belgian women has lifted the title at SW19 and they have to be considered major threats over the coming fortnight.

If Maria Sharapova’s form continues to improve then she to could be a major threat as could Li Na, who lifted a grass court title only last week.

It will be interesting to see how Sam Stosur picks herself up from her French Open final defeat and how her game fairs on the grass.

Another player to keep an eye on if French Open champion Francesca Schiavone who will be playing with a new found confidence after lifting her first Grand Slam title in Paris.

Tip To Win - Justine Henin

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw