By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon
- Elena Rybakina prepares for her first title defence at Wimbledon in a wide-open Women’s draw
- Top Seeds: Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula
- British Interest: Katie Boulter [WC], Jodie Burrage [WC], Harriet Dart [WC], Sonay Kartal [WC], Katie Swan [WC], Heather Watson [WC]
LONDON, ENGLAND – Elena Rybakina prepares for her first Grand Slam title defence in a wide open draw at Wimbledon.
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[1] Iga Swiatek
Best Result: Fourth Round (2021)
After winning Roland Garros, Swiatek is looking to break new ground at Wimbledon as she looks to back-up her Juniors title in 2018 by winning her maiden Women’s singles title in 2023.
Swiatek’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Lin Zhu | H2H: Swiatek leads 1-0
- R2: Martina Trevisan | H2H: Swiatek leads 3-1
- R3: Petra Martic [30] | H2H: Swiatek leads 2-0
- R4: Belinda Bencic [14] | H2H: Swiatek leads 2-1
- QF: Coco Gauff [7] | H2H: Swiatek leads 7-0
- SF: Jessica Pegula [4] | H2H: Swiatek leads 5-2
- F: Aryna Sabalenka [2] | H2H: Swiatek leads 5-3
Swiatek shouldn’t have too many problems in the first week providing she is fit and healthy as she is facing opposition that are out of form and confidence at the moment. A tough fourth round match against Belinda Bencic could await which could be the biggest obstacle on her way to the final with the Swiss being able to outhit any player on her day. Coco Gauff will bring form to her potential last eight clash with the world number one but the American has nothing to hurt the Pole psychologically having not won a set in their previous seven meetings. The likes of Jessica Pegula, Caroline Garcia and Donna Vekic will look to disrupt Swiatek’s rhythm in the semi-finals but overall Swiatek will fancy her chances to at least reach the final at Wimbledon if not go all the way and win her maiden Women’s singles title at SW19.
[2] Aryna Sabalenka
Best Results: Semi-Finals (2021)
After a breakthrough season, Sabalenka is now looking to win what should be the second seed’s strongest Grand Slam on paper.
Sabalenka’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Panna Udvardy | H2H: First Meeting
- R2: Varvara Gracheva | H2H: First Meeting
- R3: Irina-Camelia Begu [29] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
- R4: Karolina Muchova [16] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
- QF: Maria Sakkari [8] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 6-3
- SF: Elena Rybakina [3] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 4-1
- F: Iga Swiatek [1] | H2H: Swiatek leads 5-3
Sabalenka’s biggest obstacle on her way to the second week is Italian powerhouse Camila Giorgi in the second round with Giorgi having form on her side after reaching the semi-finals in Eastbourne. After that Roland Garros finalist Karolina Muchova will provide Sabalenka with a massive test of her all-court skills as well as testing the second seed’s patience from the baseline. Should Sabalenka pass the Muchova test than a quarter-final victory over Maria Sakkari should see her take on defending champion Elena Rybakina in a mouth-watering semi-final. Overall this year is Sabalenka’s best chance to finally win Wimbledon, a title that she should be winning with the potential her game has.
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[3] Elena Rybakina
Best Result: Champion (2022)
After suffering from illness over the past few weeks, Rybakina is looking to gradually rebuild her form and successfully defend her Wimbledon title.
Rybakina’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Shelby Rogers | H2H: Rybakina leads 3-2
- R2: Alize Cornet | H2H: H2H: Rybakina leads 2-0
- R3: Bernarda Pera [27] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
- R4: Beatriz Haddad Maia [13] | H2H: Haddad Maia leads 2-0
- QF: Ons Jabeur [6] | H2H: Tied at 2-2
- SF: Aryna Sabalenka [2] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 4-1
- F: Iga Swiatek [1] | H2H: Rybakina leads 3-1
Rybakina definitely has the toughest draw on the women’s side with Shelby Rogers, Alize Cornet and Bernarda Pera all capable of causing upsets in the first week. A tasty last 16 encounter with Birmingham champion Jelena Ostapenko could be the ultimate test to see whether Rybakina can defend her Wimbledon title before a potential Wimbledon final rematch against Ons Jabeur in the quarter-finals. Overall this is a very tough draw for Rybakina to negotiate through but should she win the title at SW19 then it could be one of the most impressive title defences that Wimbledon has ever seen.
[4] Jessica Pegula
Best Result: Third Round (2022)
Pegula will be looking to reach the second week at Wimbledon for the first time with the American yet to bring her consistent form to the grass court season.
Pegula’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Lauren Davis | H2H: Tied at 1-1
- R2: Kamilla Rakhimova | H2H: First Meeting
- R3: Mayar Sherif [31] | H2H: First Meeting
- R4: Liudmila Samasonova [15] | H2H: Pegula leads 2-1
- QF: Caroline Garcia [5] | H2H: Tied at 2-2
- SF: Iga Swiatek [1] | H2H: Swiatek leads 5-2
- F: Aryna Sabalenka [2] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 4-1
Pegula has a comfortable first week to build up some form with the American having her best chance yet to reach the second week at Wimbledon for the first time. The likes of Liudmila Samsonova and Donna Vekic are likely to possess the biggest challenges during the second week but overall Pegula has a favourable draw and with momentum on her side who’s not to say that she can’t be the one to test Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals.
Wimbledon 2023 takes place between 3 – 16 July.
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