Wimbledon 2008 – Women’s Picks – Round 1
Nick’s Picks will have complete coverage of Wimbledon 2008, and we are teaming with Tennis Week and The Independent Newspaper in London to provide in-depth analysis throughout the tournament! Also, be sure to listen for Nick on Radio Wimbledon each day at 4pm EST!
Venus Williams (USA) vs. Naomi Cavaday (GBR)
Venus comes in as the defending champion, but she certainly hasn’t played like it so far in 2008. She has yet to win a tournament and has a 14-7 record on the year. Having said all that, you can absolutely never count her out. Just like her sister, Venus is one tough person to beat.
Cavaday is a 19-year old British girl, who has spent considerable time at the Academy training in the past. She has played at Wimbledon the last two years, and lost in the first round both of those times.
Match-Up:
This is going to be a tough ticket to get at Wimbledon, because you have the defending champion playing against one of the up-and-coming British hopes. Cavaday is a scrappy lefty, who hits aggressively, has a good serve, moves pretty well, and has a solid two-handed backhand. She isn’t the most comfortable at the net, and they may hurt her in this match. I look for Venus to move her around continuously and create defensive balls and unforced errors throughout the match. This is an excellent first round match for Venus, because she is going to be the favorite but at the same time it will give her a good test.
Nick’s Pick – Williams in 2 sets
Lindsay Davenport (USA) vs. Renata Voracova (CZE)
Davenport, who is now the highest ranked American after the Williams’ sisters, took a planned leave of absence during the clay-court season, and now she is back and ready to go. No one knows how that layoff will hurt her, but like Venus beating Davenport on grass is not going to be easy.
Voracova is a 24-year old girl from the Czech Republic, who comes into the tournament ranked #110 in the world. She is a solid doubles player, ranked #45 in the world and having won four doubles title in her career. This will be her first Wimbledon singles try, and is only the fifth Grand Slam tournament she has ever played in.
Match-Up:
This is the first career meeting between Davenport and Voracova. We all know how good Davenport has been in the past on grass. She has won this tournament in the past (1999), and has also been to the finals two other times. Davenport’s powerful flat groundstrokes will give Voracova fits because of her big swing. Voracova doesn’t move that well, but does have a decent serve. The key to this match, and really for this tournament, will be Davenport’s lateral movement. If she is moving well she will be a dangerous competitor. If not, she will need to win matches quickly.
Nick’s Pick – Davenport in 2 sets
Marion Bartoli (FRA) vs. Sabine Lisicki (GER)
Bartoli comes in ranked #11 in the world, but I don’t think you will find anyone who says that she has played up to that ranking this year. After reaching the finals here last year, she hasn’t done very much. She lost in the first round at both the Australian Open and French Open, and if she loses in the first round here, her ranking is going to suffer as well.
Lisicki is someone I have talked about a good amount this season, but for many reasons. She is a very promising player, who has come through the NBTA system and worked her way into the top 80 in the world. Her big match mentality has been nothing short of special, and we will have to see if she can work some of that again.
Match-Up:
This is the first match between the 18-year old Lisicki and the 23-year old Bartoli. Lisicki is a big, hard hitting German who reminds me of a boxer throwing punches from every single direction! The problem is some of the punches land in the right spot and some don’t. She has the tendency to hit way too many unforced errors, and also can get tight on the 2nd serve. Bartoli, who hits with two hands from both sides, won’t mind Lisicki’s flat balls. The problem for her is that she may not be able to reach them all. I give the edge to Lisicki because of her power and movement.
Nick’s Pick – Lisicki in 3 sets
Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) vs. Ashley Harkleroad (USA)
Mauresmo won this tournament back in 2006, and after winning it she looked to be the most dominant woman on the WTA Tour. Since that time though things have changed and she has dropped all the way to #30 in the world. A good showing here would go a very long way for her.
Harkleroad has found herself in the news recently, but not for anything she has done on the court! She comes in ranked #76 in the world and in five previous appearances here she has only gotten past the first round one time.
Match-Up:
This will be the first time these two have faced in their careers. I feel for Mauresmo. She must have so many questions running through her mind. Anytime you go through a period like she has, there is always self-doubt about your career. She is so talented, but yet it isn’t translating into wins. Harkleroad is a tenacious competitor and doesn’t like to lose. She hits hard and very flat, and can hang with anyone from the baseline power for power. Her serve is decent, but inconsistent and she doesn’t posses a ton of variety. I think the difference in this match will be Mauresmo’s beautiful backhand, her experience, and her knowledge of the game.
Nick’s Pick – Mauresmo in 3 sets
~ by Nick's Picks on June 20, 2008.
Posted in 2008 Wimbledon, Wimbledon Picks
Tags: 2008 Wimbledon, Amelie Mauresmo, Ashley Harkleroad, Lindsay Davenport, Marion Bartoli, Naomi Cavaday, Renata Voracova, Sabine Lisicki, Venus Williams, Wimbledon Picks
