Comments on: Tough Bottom Half of Draw Set at Wimbledon; Potential All-Williams Final

By: anythingbutlove

anythingbutlove — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:30:43 +0000

I’m going out on a limb here. My guess is that Dinara Safina will bounce back from her disappointing loss in Paris and make it to the Wimbledon Final. Safina is having a good year it’s just a matter of her playing to her potential.

By: Will.I.AM

Will.I.AM — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:25:54 +0000

Steve, it’s Maria’s own fault that she isn’t the favorite here. She hasn’t won here since 2004, her performance at the french was terrible (she should’ve beaten Safina), and her serve is still an issue. She has too many questions to be favored as the champion, but I, along with a lot of people, believe Maria can make it deep in the second week. No one ever counts her out!

By: Steve Pouliot

Steve Pouliot — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:42:26 +0000

I’m hearing alot of talk about the william sisters and the top seeds from Serbia going far and/or winning Wimbledon. Two weeks ago, Maria was #1 and defending Aussie champ. Even before Henin retired, people were showing Marie alot of respect but from all my reading in the last week, I might have thought she also retired. In two weeks when she is crowned champ, she won’t be forgotten so quickly again.

By: Suze

Suze — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:20:26 +0000

Wimbledon does skew the seedings for the men, favoring past grass success. They didn’t usually for the women. But, looking at Venus and Serena in doubles, Venusfan, I think they may have considered their singles pedigree vis-a-vis grass court success in the past.

Unfortunately, I get a feeling this year may be a letdown, regardless of the open draw.

By: Aaress Lawless

Aaress Lawless — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:31:26 +0000

Venusfan, thanks for the update. I have not checked out the doubles draw yet, but that it really interesting that they were seeded so high.

By: Venusfan

Venusfan — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:22:24 +0000

Aaress, Venus and Serena ARE in the doubles. and seeded 11th. how that works i do not know.

Will i agree about Venus sometimes being disappointing. but i think she really beleives in herself on grass, and although it might be a bumpy ride i think she can make it 5 wimbledon titles in a couple of weeks time.

By: Will.I.AM

Will.I.AM — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:05:06 +0000

Jelena hasn’t played since Paris? What a shock! I think that’ll be a factor in her performance in this tournament. She depends on match play as her preparation for every tournament. She might have a little rust on her.

Aaress, that’s a tough question. After Marion Bartoli made it to the finals last year, I said I would never make predictions again. That being said, I never like to say Venus will win because that has the potential to set me up for a huge dissapointment. You never know what you’ll get with Venus. My heart is telling me she can win this title and take down Serena or Ivanovic in the final. My head is telling me to expect the worst. But this is her favorite tournament, and we know what magic can happen when Venus steps on that green grass. Venus will win.

By: Aaress Lawless

Aaress Lawless — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:55:54 +0000

I believe Jankovic has a good chance to go deep at Wimbledon not only because of her draw, but this is probably the first time in a long, long time that she has entered a Grand Slam rested and uninjured. She has not played since Paris—very unusual for a workaholic like her!

You are correct – three of those wins were on clay, but one was grass. Venus packs a lot of power, yet Jankovic has proven that she is one of the Tour’s best movers and her variety will help her deal with Venus’ attempts to rally from the baseline.

So who did you pick, Will? Serena? Venus?

By: Will.I.AM

Will.I.AM — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:37:49 +0000

All in all, this is the most balanced draw we’ve seen in a while. It should make things interesting.

I can’t believe your pick for Venus vs. Jankovic! If I’m not mistaken, 3 of 4 of Jelena’s wins agaisnt Venus have come on clay. Jelena was able to grind out long points agaisnt Venus. With the speed of the grass courts, Venus will over power her. I’m looking for Venus to make it to the final.

Jankovic should also have a pretty interesting 3rd round match agaisnt Wozniacki.

And I think you were to kind for Kuznetsova. Kuzzy is my 2nd favorite player, but she is in a serious funk. Her best chance at a major was the French and she totally choked. Then losing early in Eastbourne, I think her confidence is at all time low. She won’t make it past the 4th round.