Women's Wimbledon Preview

The women’s singles at SW19 looks as wide-open as ever with the potential for a surprise winner at longer odds considerably more likely than in the men’s game. We take a look at the leading female contenders and give the best odds available on the market.

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Maria Sharapova: (14/5 Sportingbet)

Grand Slams Won: 4

Wimbledon Record: Winner (2004)

Form Guide: Is suddenly being spoken of as one of the game’s greats after completing the full set of Slams in Paris recently. That was enough to return the Russian to number one in the world and make her favourite here. But it has been eight long years since her crowning glory on Centre Court and she was well-beaten as favourite in last year’s final.

Serena Williams: (3/1 Bet365)

Grand Slams Won: 13

Wimbledon Record: Winner ( 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010)

Form Guide: Looked a genuine contender heading into the French Open off the back of a fabulous unbeaten clay season, only to lose in the first round to Virginie Razzano. It was her worst ever defeat in a Slam. Consistency therefore seems to be the biggest issue for the 30-year-old who has at least recovered from health problems that ruined her 2011. On her day will still look like a world-beater, but will she have enough days?

Petra Kvitova: (13/2 Coral)

Grand Slams Won: 1

Wimbledon Record: Winner (2011)

Form Guide: Nobody really gave her a prayer heading into this tournament last year but she left as a convincing champion. Many thought she would push on to become world number one in 2012 but for now she is hovering in fourth spot. Maria Sharapova is proving her scourge having beaten the Czech in the semi-finals of the Australian and French Opens. But it was a different story last year on Centre Court.

Victoria Azarenka: (9/1 BetVictor)

Grand Slams Won: 1

Wimbledon Record: Semi-Final (2011)

Form Guide: Won her first Grand Slam title at this year’s Australian Open, becoming world number one in the process after defeating Sharapova. The Russian pushed the Belarusian back down to second last month though. Has never been beyond the last four at Wimbledon but took the eventual winner, Kvitova to three sets in the 2011 semis. Will think there’s very little between her and Sharapova despite being three times the price.

Agnieszka Radwanska: (50/1 Boylesports)

Grand Slams Won: 0

Wimbledon Record: Quarter-Final (2008, 2009)

Form Guide: An absurdity of the modern women’s game is that the world number three can be priced up as a 50/1 outsider. Admittedly, she has no Grand Slam pedigree whatsoever, but her regular tour form is impressive. In the first four months of 2012 she won two titles and was undefeated against every opponent other than Azarenka; the Belarusian inflicted all five of her defeats in a 33-match run.