Wimbledon Profile: Maria Sharapova

Best Odds: 7/1 (Skybet)
Seed: 3
Best Result at SW19: Winner (2004)
Grand Slam Titles: 4

Wimbledon Record:

Her 2004 triumph is regarded by many as one of the most thrilling of recent times as the 17-year-old Sharapova initially reached her first ever Grand Slam semi-final where she met former champion Lindsay Davenport. The comeback from 6-2 3-1 down was remarkable in itself but nobody thought she would then beat the mighty defending champion Serena Williams in the final. The 6-1 6-4 scoreline was emphatic enough to send shockwaves through the sport.

But excitement that there was a new order at Wimbledon proved short-lived. Two subsequent semi-final runs were reasonable but the Russian has only progressed beyond round four once since 2006.

Form:

Sharapova has picked up her customary couple of WTA titles already in 2013 but she seems to have really turned a corner in terms of consistency in the big events now. Since completing the Grand Slam set at Roland Garros in 2012, the 26-year-old seems to have re-discovered her self-belief that she really is one of the best in the business today; she has made at least the semis in five of the six Slams since the start of last year. Unfortunately, Wimbledon was the exception.

Prospects:

Would be terrific if it wasn’t for the all-conquering presence of a certain 16-time Slam winning American. Maria may be a good bet to reach the final but it would be hard to fancy her against Serena who inflicted a humbling 13th consecutive defeat on the Russian in Paris recently.