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25th Jun 2012 | Tennis

Wimbledon Tip: Zvonareva v Barthel

Zvonareva: On the slide

The number 12 seed could be heading home on Day 1 after a poor 2012 shows little sign of improvement.

There’s a good chance that the women’s number 12 seed will make a first round exit with Vera Zvonareva arriving in no kind of form. The Russian is enduring something of a nightmare 2012 as she slides down the rankings having not reached a semi-final of any tournament all year.

She missed the French Open with a shoulder injury and it remains to be seen what kind of shape she’s in now. With questions marks also surrounding her mentality at the moment, I think that up and coming German Mona Barthel can take advantage.

The world number 39 won her first WTA title back in January and has twice run Azarenka very close this year. She also defeated Ivanovic and Bartoli in Stuggart to the delight of her home crowd. With a serve that should cause problems on grass, the 21-year-old will be eyeing another big scalp at SW19.

Barthel has admittedly suffered some setbacks recently so neither player will arrive on court brimming with confidence. But ultimately the young German is the player heading in the right direction and I expect her to grow the longer the match goes on. It could go to a decider with Barthel looking well-priced at best odds of 10/3 (Betfred) to win in three sets.

 

Odds correct at time of publishing: 13:37 25th Jun, 2012 but subject to change