The 2019 Wimbledon is upon us, and it’s high time that we take a look at some of the most intriguing players set to compete over at the women’s side of the tournament’s bracket. Familiar names such as Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova are expected to be among the favorites, but the chalks are sometimes there to serve as victims for the giant slayers. Read on for a preview and breakdown of the favorites, sleepers, and a selected long shot at the 2019 Wimbledon women’s singles. You can also view all odds of that tournament here.
Williams is in the middle of a title drought, as she has yet to win a tournament since last year. A pregnancy and issues with her health have affected her activity on the court of late, but those do not change the fact that she is Serena Williams. Sure, she is already 37 and past her prime, but it was just last year when she made it to the Finals at Wimbledon, only falling short of winning it all when she lost to Angelique Kerber in straight sets. In her latest trip to a Grand Slam event, Williams was ousted in the third round of the 2019 French Open by Sofia Kenin, though, that loss could be partly attributed to rust, as that was only Williams’ fifth tournament of the year. Presumably healthier and closet to her top form, Williams should definitely be attracting of bettors heading into the 2019 Wimbledon. Williams has seven Wimbledon titles with 10 total Finals appearances to date.
Ranked sixth in the world, Kvitova remains as one of the top favorites to win in London, despite known issues with her health of late. The Czech was forced to pull out of the Birmingham Classic earlier this June due to a arm injury, thus failing to defend her title in the tournament. Prior to that, Kvitova also withdrew from the 2019 French Open after experiencing pain in her forearm, which she admitted as something that had been bothering her for weeks. Still, Kvitova is a two-time Wimbledon singles winner with a career 30-9 record at the tournament. She is looking to bounce back after a disappointing first-round exit at Wimbledon in 2018. She made the Finals of the 2019 Australian Open, but succumbed to Naomi Osaka. Kvitova has two titles on the season.
Ostapenko has one Grand Slam title, coming from a win at the 2017 French Open. And she seems to be closing in on the ultimate prize in London, as she has managed to make the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2017 and followed it up with a semifinals exit in 2018. It’s a trend that is pointing towards a Finals appearance for the 22-year-old Latvian, who was booted out right in the very first round of the 2019 French Open by Victoria Azarenka. Ostapenko is currently competing at Eastbourne, as of this writing.
Konta has zero Grand Slam titles so far in her career, but came near to winning one multiple times in the past. During the 2017 edition of Wimbledon, she reached the semifinals of the tournament. Just recently, she made it to the semis of the 2019 French Open, beating Sloane Stephens in the quarterfinals before falling prey to Marketa Vondrousova. Konta is 7-7 in her career at Wimbledon matches and went 6-4 on grass in 2018.
Makarova has been around the pro circuit for a long time now. The 31-year-old Russian, however, hasn’t had significant success in Grand Slam events in the past. She’s entered her name at Wimbledon every year since 2008 but has managed to go past the second round four times, including a fourth-round exit at the 2018 edition of Wimbledon.
Writer’s Prediction
Ostapenko wins the 2019 Wimbledon women’s singles tournament.
