The defending champion usually dominated headlines leading into a Grand Slam but that has not been the case for Iga Swiatek as all the attention has been in the direction of Serena Williams. With 23 majors including 7 Wimbledon titles next to her name, it is understandable but people should remember that it has been almost a decade since she last lifted a major trophy – 2017 Australian Open. One thing we can be assured of is that the pressure will be on her opponent and not her.
Almost four years have passed since she last played in a Grand Slam (2022 US Open) but the queen of women’s tennis is back. That was her last competitive match in singles but she did play doubles at Queen’s and Berlin leading into her return here. The ball striking was clean as one would expect but doubles can disguise what will be the biggest concern for Serena in her return and that is movement. We know she will serve big and hit an array of clean winners but defending out of the corners will be an issue at almost 45 years of age. If there is a positive for her it is facing an opponent that is out of form. Maya won multiple titles last year including the Eastbourne Open on grass. Wins over the likes of Shnaider, Kenin, Tauson and Raducanu helped elevate her to a high of no.28 but she is 3-15 in tour matches this season and lacking confidence. Serena will win enough games on serve to turn this into a genuine battle.
Best Bet: Over 20.5 games ($1.87)
Not so long ago both women were ranked in the top 10 but both have been dealing with personal issue over the last 12 months which has seen a sharp dip in form. Badosa was extremely emotional following an upset win over Gauff in Berlin and managed to win only four games in her subsequent match against Noskova. There have been far better signs for Navarro who made the final in Nottingham and the quarters in Bad Homburg where she defeated Swiatek. The H2H reads 2-1 in Badosa’s favour which includes a win on grass but Navarro’s victory did come in their only prior battle at Grand Slam level. With respect to form Navarro has a clear edge so we will be backing her with confidence.
Best Bet: Navarro -2.5 ($1.88)
Wimbledon was supposed to be the one major that Swiatek would not be able to win but the clay court specialist silenced all the doubters 12 months ago with a fortnight of phenomenal tennis. Has no been able to reach that level since, with the quarter finals being the furthest she has gotten in her three major appearances since. Townsend is a dangerous opening round opponent, especially on grass, as she has a big first serve and looks to attack from the first ball. This surface rewards that brand of tennis and it is worth noting that she won the doubles here in 2024. Will move into the forecourt to utilise her volleying ability and it will help her win more games than the market expects.
Best Bet: Over 19.5 games ($1.88)
Losses to Tatjana Maria and Eala in the lead-up are completely out of character for Rybakina but the former Wimbledon champion shouldn’t have any problems with Boisson. Clay is the Frenchwoman’s best surface and there were some very concerning stats in her only match on grass this season in s-Hertogenbosch. She faced Sierra (no.56 in the world) and was able to win only 27% of 2nd serve points for the match. That spells trouble in bold capital letters against one of the biggest hitters on the WTA Tour. Boisson’s 2nd serve is great on clay as it kicks up but getting the ball up out of the strike zone on grass is not as easy. Rybakina will be teeing off and it will be fun to watch.
Best Bet: Rybakina -6.5 ($1.92)
Boisson v Rybakina: Rybakina -6.5 ($1.92)
Navarro v Badosa: Navarro -2.5 ($1.88)
Townsend v Swiatek: Over 19.5 games ($1.88)
Valentova v Pliskova: Valentova WIN ($2.05)
Williams v Joint: Over 20.5 games ($1.87)
Anisimova v Gjorcheska: Over 17.5 games ($1.72)
Begu v Swan: Swan WIN ($1.90)
Birrell v Korneeva: Birrell WIN ($1.77)
Boulter v Grant: Under 21.5 games ($1.83)
Cirstea v Bejlek: Sets Cirstea 2-0 ($1.85)
Day v Keys: Under 18.5 games ($2.00)
Eala v Zarazua: Eala -5.5 ($1.80)
Gibson v Bouzkova: Bouzkova -4.5 ($2.10)
Haddad Maia v Timofeeva: Haddad-Maia +1.5 Sets ($1.83)
Kalinina v Rakhimova: Rakhimova +2.5 ($1.95)
Krueger v Vekic: Vekic -1.5 ($1.75)
Marcinko v Kenin: Kenin WIN ($2.15)
Mertens v Siegemund: Over 21.5 games ($1.95)
Osorio v Waltert: Under 21.5 games ($1.90)
Paolini v Montgomery: Montgomery WIN ($1.55)
Podoroska v Kostyuk: Over 16.5 games ($1.64)
Ruse v McNally: Ruse WIN ($1.73)
Sakkari v Tauson: Tauson -3.5 ($2.02)
Seidel v Noskova: Noskova -5.5 ($1.83)
Shnaider v Lys: Shnaider WIN ($1.50)
Starodoubtseva v Blinkova: Starodoubtseva WIN ($1.67)
Svitolina v Snigur: Over 20.5 games ($1.82)
Tomljanovic v Bolkvadze: Tomljanovic -5.5 ($1.88)
