Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki, Na Li, and Venus Williams are among the players tipped to make the quarterfinals at the All England Club this year.
One of our staff writers offers his take on who will be making a run to the final eight at the All England Club this year. Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki are among the players tipped for success while high seeds Victoria Azarenka and Francesca Schiavone are not.
(1) Caroline Wozniacki vs Maria Sharapova (5)
Wozniacki is definitely an underachiever in Grand Slam touraments however the Dane has to be one of the most determined players in the women's draw as she'll want to silence her wide range of critics.
Sharapova, the champion from 2004, has been playing the best tennis of her post-shoulder injury career and her dominating skills on grass are undeniable.
(3) Na Li vs (7) Serena Williams
Na Li is the best player on the women's tour when results from the 2011 calendar year are isolated. After making the Australian Open final and after winning the French Open, her Grand Slam abilities cannot be denied and the Chinese star has a very clear draw through the first three rounds.
Williams is just recently returned from injury however she did play world number three Vera Zvonareva very tough in Eastbourne. The defending champ might not be able to win the title outright this season however she should work her way back into form with early round matches. Aravane Rezai, a player who often goes out early in Wimbledon, is first up at the All England Club for Serena.
(11) Andrea Petkovic vs (14) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
In what looks like a weak quarter, the two players seeded to make the quarterfinals are Francesca Schiavone and Victoria Azarenka. However Schiavone went out in the first round last season and Petkovic, who has played the best tennis of her life in the last six months, seems like a more confident pick to make the round of eight.
Pavlyuchenkova is the Teen Queen on the women's tour and as such she is somewhat inexperienced. However she looks to be a better pure talent than Victoria Azarenka, a player who has underachieved in the last two Wimbledon draws.
(8) Petra Kvitova vs (23) Venus Williams
Petra Kvitova made a run to the semifinals of Wimbledon 2010 and the Czech Republic's top player proved that it was no fluke as she is now into the top 10. She does not appear to have a major challenger in her eighth of the draw and that means she'll have to fend off upsets to advance but she can be relied on to do just that.
Kvitova's opponent, if the seeds held, would be Vera Zvonareva in the Wimbledon quarters however Venus Williams played well in Eastbourne and looks the more dangerous player at the moment. Look for the American to use easy early round matches to find her groove and confidence at the grass court Grand Slam.
