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Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek are the Wimbledon singles’ favourites, Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina deemed their nearest challengers, however might a shock be in retailer at SW19 this 12 months?
Wimbledon has develop into more and more elusive for these chasing a first-ever Grand Slam, significantly with Djokovic’s presence looming massive within the males’s draw.
The Serbian, who’s chasing a record-equalling twenty fourth slam, has gained the previous 4 editions of Wimbledon, whereas the truth is no participant past Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal has lifted the trophy since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.
That’s the job that awaits Alcaraz and co, whereas within the girls’s singles the draw stays as open because it has accomplished since Serena Williams gained her final of seven Wimbledon titles in 2016.
Since then, there have been 5 totally different winners, with Rybakina the reigning champion and Swiatek to this point unable to translate her dominance elsewhere onto the grass.
However, Swiatek continues to be being backed to come back good on the floor, however names all through the draw threaten to problem the world No 1 and guarantee her wait at Wimbledon goes on.
Right here we listing six gamers to look out for at Wimbledon, from the skin contenders to the rising stars, and a few 30-plus hopefuls too.
Exterior contenders
Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz is the American No 1 and reached the Wimbledon quarters final 12 months
First spherical vs Yannick Hanfmann | Doable fourth-round assembly vs Jannik Sinner
Arguably one of the best identified among the many males’s names listed right here, Taylor Fritz dared to shush the gang on the French Open and can hope to silence a number of favourites when he will get to Wimbledon, too.
The American has the sport to go far on grass, and got here painfully near reaching his first-ever Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon final 12 months, denied in 5 by an embattled Rafael Nadal who would go on to withdraw earlier than a last-four showdown with Nick Kyrgios.
This time, Fritz goals to go at the least one higher, however with a attainable Djokovic semi-final assembly, the prospect of the 25-year-old reaching the ultimate Sunday are slim.
Beatriz Haddad Maia
Beatriz Haddad Maia reached this 12 months’s French Open semis
First spherical vs Yulia Putintseva | Doable fourth-round assembly vs Elena Rybakina
Kind can change with the wind presently of 12 months, as Beatriz Haddad Maia proved not too long ago having misplaced within the opening spherical of the Nottingham Open simply days after reaching the French Open semi-finals.
However, as soon as the 27-year-old finds her toes on grass she is able to difficult the perfect, with titles in Nottingham and Birmingham to show it from final 12 months.
The Brazilian was unable to maintain that type come Wimbledon, however the participant – who broke into the highest 10 for the primary time in June – is greater than able to reaching the second week of a slam for the second time in a row.
Younger hopefuls
Sebastian Korda
Sebastian Korda beat Daniil Medvedev and Hubert Hurkacz at this 12 months’s Australian Open
First spherical vs Jiri Vesely | Doable third-round assembly vs Cameron Norrie
One other American harbouring hopes of a deep Wimbledon run is Sebastian Korda, the No 22 seed who reached the fourth spherical in 2021 earlier than a foot downside dominated him out of final 12 months’s version.
At 22, Korda is battling to face out amongst a formidable younger crop of gamers, and at 6ft 5ins, he has the serve-and-volley sport that usually bears fruit at Wimbledon.
This was additionally evident on the onerous courts when beating Daniil Medvedev on the Australian Open earlier this 12 months, and following a clay-court season to neglect, Korda showcased his potential when reaching the Queen’s semi-final, the place he misplaced to eventual winner Alcaraz.
Marta Kostyuk
Marta Kostyuk, 20, gained the Australian Open ladies’ singles title in 2017
First spherical vs Maria Sakkari | Doable third-round assembly vs Madison Keys
Solely three feminine gamers since 2010 have gone on to style Grand Slam glory after profitable a serious as a junior: Ash Barty, Jelena Ostapenko and Swiatek.
Others have come shut, together with Coco Gauff and Leylah Fernandez, however success is way from assured, with making the leap from the ‘subsequent massive factor’ to Grand Slam champion evidently no straightforward feat.
So step ahead Marta Kostyuk, who was 15 when profitable the Australian Open ladies’ title in 2017 and now at 20 is seeking to progress past the second spherical of Wimbledon for the primary time. Having reached a career-high rating of 35 in June, she is on the up, and the Ukrainian will likely be hoping that trajectory continues in London.
She will likely be examined instantly, nevertheless, towards the No 8 seed Maria Sakkari, though there may be the prospect of an upset given the Greek has by no means progressed past the third spherical at Wimbledon.
The 30-plus membership
Roberto Bautista Agut
Roberto Bautista Agut reached the Wimbledon semis in 2019
First spherical vs Roman Safiullin | Doable fourth-round assembly vs Casper Ruud
As an alternative of telling you all a few sure Sir Andrew Barron Murray, with the 36-year-old Brit hopeful of constructing the second week this 12 months, a nod additionally to 35-year-old Roberto Bautista Agut, the tenacious Spaniard who boasts a greater win proportion on grass than the opposite surfaces.
His first ATP title got here on grass in 2014, and he went on to achieve the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2019, dropping to eventual winner Djokovic – a destiny that has befallen many.
A run so far as the semi-finals this time round could also be past Bautista Agut, however with eyes elsewhere within the males’s draw, there may be at all times an outdoor probability he might trigger a number of upsets – particularly as he not too long ago reached the Halle semi-finals.
Petra Kvitova
Petra Kvitova is a two-time Wimbledon champion and gained the Miami Open earlier this 12 months
First spherical vs Jasmine Paolini | Doable fourth-round assembly vs Ons Jabuer
Experiences goes a great distance at Wimbledon, and two-time winner Petra Kvitova will hope her 2011 and 2014 triumphs can stand her in good stead when chasing a hat-trick this 12 months.
Because the oldest participant within the high 16, the 33-year-old Czech stays a drive to be reckoned with having gained the Miami Open in March, whereas victory at Eastbourne in 2022 proves she will be able to nonetheless reduce it on grass.
A beneficial draw would make No 9 seed Kvitova one to regulate, particularly in a event the place the seeds can tumble left, proper and centre. A attainable fourth-round assembly towards final 12 months’s finalist Ons Jabuer is one to be careful for.
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