It’s time for Wimbledon… woohoo! This is always my favourite Slam and i’m off work until the 7th of July so currently floating on air. This will be the first of many, many posts to come over the next two weeks so stay tuned to Moo’s Tennis Blog and tell your friends! There will also be more photos and live reports as i’ll definitely be at Wimbledon on the first Thursday and Saturday. I’m contemplating trying to get tickets for the first day too but i’m still getting over Eastbourne! This post profiles the top 16 seeds in the women’s Wimbledon draw. A preview of the draw will follow tomorrow along with a batch of first round previews…

Serena Williams (1):

Wimbledon previous best performance: Champion (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2015)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: Champion (2000 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 0-0 W-L record (did not play any grass court tournaments)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Amra Sadikovic

R2: Christina McHale or Daniela Hantuchova

R3: Kristina Mladenovic (31)

Fun fact: Serena has reached four finals in her six tournaments in 2016. It’s the least number of tournaments she has played heading into Wimbledon since her comeback from the pulmonary embolism in 2011.

Final thoughts: It’s difficult to know where Serena’s state of mind will be after her loss at the French Open. While some of her recent losses have been more attributed to her performance level rather than her opponent (i’ve not always agreed with this!), this couldn’t be said for the French Open final against Muguruza where Serena was outhit and outplayed for large chunks of the match. Serena’s taken her customary break between Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and is one of the best at coming in ‘cold’ to a Slam. Taking a step back from Serena’s achievements and she’s still had a great year with one title and two Slam finals. The draw has its pitfalls but once again, it’s hard to see where she slips up. While finals have been her nemesis this year, she’s played some great tennis at times (better than 2015) and has been very consistent at reaching the latter stages of tournaments.

Garbiñe Muguruza (2):

 

Wimbledon previous best performance: Finalist (2015)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: Finalist, lost to Serena Williams (1300 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 0-1 W-L record

Mallorca, 1st round (l. to Kirsten Flipkens #61)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Camila Giorgi

R2: Mariana Duque-Mariño or Jana Cepelova

R3: Lucie Safarova (28)

Fun fact: Prior to Muguruza’s run to the Wimbledon final, the Spaniard had only ever won one main draw match at SW19.

Final thoughts: Despite taking time to gel with the green stuff, Muguruza has many assets to her game that marry up nicely with the grass, as she proved last year. Defending finals points and coming in as the Roland Garros champion will inevitably bring added pressure. Famously, first time Slam winners have often struggled to back up their success immediately afterwards. Even Muguruza took some time to settle on tour after reaching the Wimbledon final last year. As much as I believe Muguruza will be a multiple Slam champion, I think it will be a tough ask for her to repeat her feat in Paris following the emotional upheaval of winning a first Slam title. Giorgi in the first round is a potential banana skin…

Agnieszka Radwanska (3):

Wimbledon previous best performance: Finalist (2012)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: Semi-finals, lost to Garbiñe Muguruza (780 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 2-2 W-L record

Birmingham, 1st round (l. to CoCo Vandeweghe #32)

Eastbourne, quarter-finals (l. to Dominika Cibulkova #21)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Kateryna Kozlova

R2: Ana Konjuh or Pauline Parmentier

R3: Caroline Garcia (30)

Fun fact: In ten appearances at Wimbledon, Radwanska has only twice failed to reach the second week of the tournament.

Final thoughts: After an early loss in Birmingham, Radwanska has been rapidly adjusting to the grass in Eastbourne. A loss to Cibulkova in the quarter-finals from a set and a break up wasn’t a great shock with Wimbledon obviously the priority. There’s always the concern that Radwanska can get hit off the court by a big hitter but with the careful preparation of her calendar and the sight of no strapping, I believe that Radwanska is a contender for the title. Two things that will need to happen for her to go deep: the shoulder remains healthy so she can serve to her maximum potential and not getting bogged down in lengthy drawn-out matches that eat away at her energy bank.

Angelique Kerber (4):

Wimbledon previous best performance: Semi-finals (2012)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: 3rd round, lost to Garbiñe Muguruza (130 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 2-1 W-L record

Birmingham, quarter-finals (l. to Carla Suárez Navarro #15)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Laura Robson

R2: Varvara Lepchenko or Teliana Pereira

R3: Irina-Camelia Begu (25)

Fun fact: Kerber won eight three set matches in a row between Brisbane and Stuttgart this year but since then, has lost three of her last four matches that have gone the distance. This includes a 7-5 third set defeat to Carla Suárez Navarro in her last match in Birmingham.

Final thoughts: I’ve always been pro-Kerber on grass and felt like last year was her chance to go really deep in the draw… if only she hadn’t run into a peaking Muguruza. This year, i’m feeling so-so despite this being *the* surface where Kerber excels. Her performances in Birmingham were not entirely convincing and a question mark would be whether she’s had enough competitive matches to mount a challenge. On the other hand, having endured a physically and mentally taxing year, the extra rest could come in handy later on provided she can navigate her way through the first couple of rounds. For Kerber, I remain cautious, but equally understanding that she could fly through her section…

Simona Halep (5):

Wimbledon previous best performance: Semi-finals (2014)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: 1st round, lost to Jana Cepelova (10 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 0-0 W-L record (Did not play any grass court tournaments)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Anna Karolina Schmiedlova

R2: Anastasija Sevastova or Francesca Schiavone

R3: Kiki Bertens (26)

Fun fact: Halep has won three of her last four three set matches on tour. On grass, Halep has a 4-5 W-L record in three set matches on grass.

Final thoughts: As there are no data points for Halep on grass this year, she is another player heading into Wimbledon with some uncertainty. The Romanian player was forced to withdraw Birmingham due to an achilles injury with “some fluid inside the tendon”. Halep’s attempts to play through injuries have not gone well this year, but she stated that the injury was not serious and has been spotted practising in SW19. Halep’s has had some excellent results on the grass, notably reaching the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2014 and winning the title in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 2013.The draw looks respectable, but it will be her mental application and belief that she can succeed on grass that will be key to how far she goes.

Roberta Vinci (6):

Wimbledon previous best performance: 4th round (2012 and 2013)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: 1st round, lost to Aleksandra Krunic (10 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 0-1 W-L record

Eastbourne, 1st round (l. to Ekaterina Makarova #39)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Alison Riske

R2: Kristyna Pliskova or Ying-Ying Duan

R3: CoCo Vandeweghe (27)

Fun fact: Vinci produced a 16-9 W-L record between Brisbane and Stuttgart; however since then, Vinci has won just one out of her last six matches on tour.

Final thoughts: Vinci’s year has gone a little choppy since Stuttgart as she battled through numerous injuries during the clay court season. Vinci said in press in Eastbourne that physically she feels fine, but her first match on the grass resulted in a tight three set loss to Ekaterina Makarova. There’s no shame in that though as Makarova is a quality grass court player. This surface suits Vinci’s game, but the lack of matches and confidence could have a profound impact, particularly as she opens against the Nottingham finalist and generally all-grass-loving, Alison Riske.

Belinda Bencic (7):

Wimbledon previous best performance: 4th round (2015)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: 4th round, lost to Victoria Azarenka (240 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 3-3 W-L record

Rosmalen, semi-finals (l. to Kristina Mladenovic #32)

Birmingham, 1st round (ret. to Irina-Camelia Begu #26)

Eastbourne, 1st round (l. to Elena Vesnina  #53)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Tsvetana Pironkova

R2: Julia Boserup or Tatjana Maria

R3: Andrea Petkovic (32)

Fun fact: Bencic was prolific on the grass in 2015, winning a whopping 14 matches.

Final thoughts: Bencic has played a full grass court season, but is yet to rediscover her best form after a back injury sidelined her during the clay court season.Therefore, expectations for Bencic have simmered; this is understandable as Bencic needs time but it’s still great to see her back competing again! For the second straight year, Bencic opens against Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round which is a rough draw. Both players were injured in their match last year but Bencic dug in to get the win. Who knows which way this match will go this year but if Bencic were to prevail, it may give her the springboard to go and match last year’s result of reaching the second week.

Venus Williams (8):

Wimbledon previous best performance: Champion (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: 4th round, lost to Serena Williams (240 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 0-0 W-L record (Did not play any grass court tournaments)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Donna Vekic

R2: Saisai Zheng or Maria Sakkari

R3: Daria Kasatkina (29)

Fun fact: Venus is 1-4 in three set matches in 2016; she won her first three set match of the year with a 7-6(5) 1-6 6-0 victory over Alizé Cornet at the French Open last month.

Final thoughts: Venus has sported strapping on her thigh all year, but that didn’t stop her from battling through to the fourth round of Roland Garros for the first time since 2010. Grass is where Venus excels and like Serena, I don’t see the lack of competitive matches being an issue. Last year, Venus drew Serena in the fourth round but this year she’s in the opposite half and has a very favourable draw, as draws go!

Madison Keys (9):

Wimbledon previous best performance: Quarter-finals (2015)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: Quarter-finals, lost to Agnieszka Radwanska (430 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 5-0 W-L record

Birmingham Champion (d. Babos, Paszek, Ostapenko, Suárez Navarro and Strycova)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Laura Siegemund

R2: Kirsten Flipkens or Nicole Gibbs

R3: Sara Errani (20)

Fun fact: Keys has an 8-3 W-L record at Wimbledon with two of her losses coming at the hands of Agnieszka Radwanska,, both in three sets.

Final thoughts: Keys is one player i’ve had highlighted for this grass court season and that became bolder after she won her second title on grass at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham. The American player has had, in between some injuries, a super year with a set of consistent results. Grass is the surface where she feels at home and is most rewarded for her assets. The only concern would be a slip-up early on with Keys in great form and surely aware of a pretty neat draw with Errani and Halep in her eighth. If she can get through those first two rounds, i’m all in for Madison…

Petra Kvitova (10):

Wimbledon previous best performance: Champion (2011 and 2014)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: 3rd round, lost to Jelena Jankovic (130 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 2-2 W-L record

Birmingham, 2nd round (l. to Jelena Ostapenko #38)

Eastbourne, 3rd round (l. to Johanna Konta #18)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Sorana Cirstea

R2: Ekaterina Makarova or Johanna Larsson

R3: Barbora Strycova (24)

Fun fact: Aside from a mono-affected Wimbledon campaign  in 2015 where she lost out to an inspired Jelena Jankovic in the third round, Kvitova’s form at Wimbledon has been nothing short of stunning; the Czech player reached at least the quarter-finals every year between 2010 and 2014 including being crowned Wimbledon champion on two occasions.

Final thoughts: After a mini-peak between Indian Wells and Stuttgart, Kvitova’s year has taken a bit of a nose dive. The Czech player is 2-2 on the grass this year with a leg injury not helping her plight in either Birmingham or Eastbourne. It would seem reckless to predict that Kvitova’s going to rediscover her best form and win the whole caboodle but at the same time, Wimbledon is a special place where her game always seems to come alive. I remain hopelessly optimistic for the Petra but this draw is brutal…

Timea Bacsinszky (11):

Wimbledon previous best performance: Quarter-finals (2015)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: Quarter-finals, lost to Garbiñe Muguruza (430 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 0-1 W-L record

Eastbourne, 2nd round (l. to Kristina Mladenovic #33)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Luksika Kumkhum

R2: Monica Niculescu or Aleksandra Krunic

R3: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (21)

Fun fact: Bacsinszky’s loss to Mladenovic in Eastbourne was the first time she had lost her first match at a tournament since Sydney in January.

Final thoughts: Despite failing to win a match on the grass in Eastbourne and playing an erratic match against Mladenovic, Bacsinszky proved last year that she can prevail on grass, even with little match practice. She looked good on the Eastbourne practice courts and sounded very positive in press in terms of how her game can transition to this surface. She did however discuss getting past Monica Niculescu last year and she could face the Romanian player again in the second round. On the whole, it’s a good draw for Timea and if she can shake off the early rust, she could quite comfortably match last year’s quarter-final berth.

Carla Suárez Navarro (12):

Wimbledon previous best performance: 4th round (2013)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: 1st round, lost to Jelena Ostapenko (10 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 3-2 W-L record

Birmingham, semi-finals (l. to Madison Keys #16

Eastbourne, 2nd round (l. to Misaki Doi #49)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Shuai Zhang

R2: Margarita Gasparyan or Denisa Allertova

R3: Jelena Jankovic (22)

Fun fact: While Suárez Navarro has had a pretty decent year, racking up 23 main draw wins, she’s still some way off the 35 (!) she’d managed at this time last year before heading into Wimbledon. The Spaniard has plenty of room to make up ground though after a disappointing second half to 2015.

Final thoughts: Suárez Navarro had a superb tournament in Birmingham where she defeated three top 35 players including Angelique Kerber and pushed the eventual champion, Madison Keys all the way. It was her best result since Doha following a rather quiet clay court season compared to 2015. The Spaniard looked exhausted in Eastbourne but the result in Birmingham should give her confidence on her least favoured surface. The draw’s good, but at the same time, there are players that could outhit her on the grass if she sits back.

Svetlana Kuznetsova (13):

Wimbledon previous best performance: Quarter-finals (2003, 2005 and 2007)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: 2nd round, lost to Kristyna Pliskova (70 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 0-1 W-L record

Eastbourne, 2nd round (l. to Kateryna Bondarenko #65)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Caroline Wozniacki (!)

R2: Tara Moore or Alison Van Uytvanck

R3: Sloane Stephens (18)

Fun fact: Kuznetsova hasn’t made it past the third round of Wimbledon since 2008. In fact, she hasn’t reached a quarter-final on grass since Rosmalen in 2011.

Final thoughts: Kuznetova’s having a great year but remains an enigma on court. In Eastbourne, I was saw both sides of her game; at times, she looked unstoppable with her ball striking, but then the mental side of her game let her down in a loss to Kateryna Bondarenko having missed five match points. That loss will be a tough one to swallow but she should be able to get back up and move on with the experience she has on tour. Her best results at Wimbledon are way in the past but she has the type of transferable game that can do well on all surfaces. However, she opens against Wozniacki in the stand-out first round match… terrible for both players!

Sam Stosur (14):

Wimbledon previous best performance: 3rd round (2009, 2013 and 2015)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: 3rd round, lost to CoCo Vandeweghe (130 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 0-1 W-L record

Eastbourne, 2nd round (l. to Caroline Wozniacki #37)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Magda Linette

R2: Shelby Rogers or Sabine Lisicki

R3: Elina Svitolina (17)

Fun fact: Since the start of the 2012 grass court season, Stosur has compiled a 7-11 W-L record on grass.

Final thoughts: Stosur’s only singles match on grass in 2016 has been a 2-6 1-6 loss to Caroline Wozniacki. The loss sums up Stosur and grass, which are not a match made in heaven! Seedings wise, the Aussie has landed into a cushty section of the draw, but the sight of Wimbledon lover, Sabine Lisicki in the second round could ring alarm bells.

Karolina Pliskova (15):

Wimbledon previous best performance: 2nd round (2013, 2014 and 2015)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: 2nd round, lost to CoCo Vandeweghe (70 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 9-1 W-L record

Nottingham, Champion (d. Sevastova, Tatishvili, Barty, Puig and Riske)

Birmingham, 1st round (l. to Barbora Strycova #30)

Eastbourne, Final (to be played on Saturday vs. Cibulkova)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Yanina Wickmayer

R2: Misaki Doi or Louisa Chirico

R3: Ana Ivanovic (23)

Fun fact: In 16 previous Slam appearances, Pliskova is still seeking to make it past the third round of a Slam and into a second week.

Final thoughts: Pliskova’s had an excellent grass court season with super runs in both Nottingham and Eastbourne. Her serve has been firing and she’s been hitting the ball beautifully from the baseline. I’ve still got my concerns about whether Pliskova can transition her recent good form to the Slams where she has never reach her potential. The surface rewards her and the draw is there! Get past Wickmayer and i’d expect Pliskova to be breaking new ground at Wimbledon…

Johanna Konta (16):

Wimbledon previous best performance: 1st round (2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015)

Wimbledon 2015 performance & points: 1st round, lost to Maria Sharapova (10 ranking points)

2016 grass court form: 5-3 W-L record

Nottingham, 2nd round (l. to Saisai Zheng #86)

Birmingham, 2nd round (l. to Yanina Wickmayer #49)

Eastbourne, semi-finals (l. to Karolina Pliskova #17)

2016 Wimbledon draw projections:

R1: Monica Puig

R2: Eugenie Bouchard or Magdalena Rybarikova

R3: Dominika Cibulkova (19)

Fun fact: Konta has never won a main draw match at Wimbledon!

Final thoughts: Konta’s grass court season finally gathered some pace in Eastbourne where she picked up a superb win over Petra Kvitova. I’m intrigued to see Konta’s court placement at Wimbledon and it’s a novel concept to have a high-flying British woman in the draw. Despite showing some emotion in her semi-final loss to Pliskova, I think Eastbourne will have been a good mental test, preparing her in the best possible way for Wimbledon. Konta’s got a really tricky draw but a second week showing is certainly attainable if she doesn’t project ahead too much and plays like she has been playing for much of 2016.

Wimbledon tweets and videos

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