Saturday, June 21, 2008

Wimbledon women's capsules

Women to watch at Wimbledon, which begins Monday (seedings in parentheses):

ANA IVANOVIC (1)


Age: 20

Country: Serbia

2008 Match Record: 27-6

2008 Singles Titles: 2

Career Singles Titles: 7

Major Titles: 1 - French Open ('08)

Last 5 Wimbledons: '07-Lost in semifinal, '06-Lost in 4th round, '05-Lost in 3rd round, '04-Did Not Play, '03-DNP

Topspin: Climbed to No. 1 in the rankings for the first time after beating Dinara Safina in French Open final for her first major title. ... Withdrew from this week's tournament at Eastbourne, England, citing mental fatigue and an injured right abductor muscle. ... Has reached the final in three of the past five major events. ... Lost to eventual champion Venus Williams in Wimbledon semifinals last year.

JELENA JANKOVIC (2)

Age: 23

Country: Serbia

2008 Match Record: 33-10

2008 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 6

Major Titles: 0 - Best Finish: SF at U.S. Open in '06, French Open in '07, Australian Open in '08 and French Open in '08

Last 5 Wimbledons: '07-4th, '06-4th, '05-3rd, '04-1st, '03-DNP

Topspin: Lost to Ana Ivanovic in the semifinals at French Open, making her 0-4 in Grand Slam semifinals. ... Leads the women's tour in match victories this year.

MARIA SHARAPOVA (3)

Age: 21

Country: Russia

2008 Match Record: 30-3

2008 Singles Titles: 3

Career Singles Titles: 19

Major Titles: 3 - Wimbledon ('04), U.S. Open ('06), Australian Open ('08)

Last 5 Wimbledons: '07-4th, '06-SF, '05-SF, '04-Won championship, '03-4th

Topspin: Semifinalist or better at eight of her past 12 majors, including two titles. ... Blew a big lead and lost to Dinara Safina in the fourth round of the French Open. ... Took over top ranking in May when Justine Henin suddenly retired, then lost it to Ana Ivanovic after the French Open.

SERENA WILLIAMS (6)

Age: 26

Country: United States

2008 Match Record: 25-3

2008 Singles Titles: 3

Career Singles Titles: 31

Major Titles: 8 - Wimbledon ('02, '03), U.S. Open ('99, '02), Australian Open ('03, '05, '07), French Open ('03)

Last 5 Wimbledons: '07-QF, '06-DNP, '05-3rd, '04-Runner-up, '03-W

Topspin: Hasn't reached a Grand Slam final since winning the 2007 Australian Open. ... Most recent match was upset loss to Katarina Srebotnik in third round of French Open.

VENUS WILLIAMS (7)

Age: 28

Country: United States

2008 Match Record: 14-7

2008 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 36

Major Titles: 6 - Wimbledon ('00, '01, '05, '07), U.S. Open ('00, '01)

Last 5 Wimbledons: '07-W, '06-3rd, '05-W, '04-2nd, '03-RU

Topspin: Became the tournament's lowest-ranked women's champion at No. 31 with her victory last year over Marion Bartoli in the final. ... Hasn't played since third-round upset loss to Flavia Pennetta at French Open. ... Last made a final at Japan Open in October, but has reached Wimbledon final six of past eight years.

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (4)

Age: 22 (turns 23 on June 27)

Country: Russia

2008 Match Record: 26-10

2008 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 9

Major Titles: 1 - U.S. Open ('04)

Last 5 Wimbledons: '07-3rd, '06-QF, '05-4th, '04-1st, '03-4th

Topspin: Has beaten Maria Sharapova, Jelena Jankovic and Venus Williams this year. ... Lost to Dinara Safina in semifinals at French Open. ... Lost as top-seeded player at Eastbourne in the second round this week to Caroline Wozniacki.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT (25)

Age: 32

Country: United States

2008 Match Record: 21-4

2008 Singles Titles: 2

Career Singles Titles: 55

Major Titles: 3 - U.S. Open (1998), Wimbledon (1999), Australian Open (2000)

Last 5 Wimbledons: '07-DNP, '06-DNP, '05-RU, '04-SF, '03-QF

Topspin: Left the WTA Tour in late 2006 to have first child, and rejoined the tour last summer. ... Won titles this year at Auckland and Memphis, but skipped clay-court season and hasn't played a match in two months.

AMELIE MAURESMO (29)

Age: 28 (Turns 29 on July 5)

Country: France

2008 Match Record: 18-10

2008 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 24

Major Titles: 2 - Wimbledon ('06), Australian Open ('06)

Last 5 Wimbledons: '07-4th, '06-W, '05-SF, '04-SF, '03-DNP

Topspin: Attacking style suits her well on grass. ... Lost to a qualifier in second round of French Open. ... Retired with a thigh strain Wednesday in the second round at Eastbourne.




Wimbledon men’s capsules
INJURED TIGER SETS SIGHT ON RECORD
Daveport out of French for ‘personal reasons’
TIGER WOODS FACTFILE