Wimbledon 2015: 8 female pairs you need to watch out for

At the end of a week of intense duels and intriguing clashes, the business end of Wimbledon is soon approaching. When play resumes on Monday after the customary day off on Sunday, sixteen women will step into courts in their endeavours to capture the title. Here is an analysis of the round of sixteen clashes which could shape the destiny of many a women.

The top half of the draw comprises some highly talented women, many of them having multiple slams to their names. The Williamses, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka and Lucie Safarova are some of the most prominent names.

 

1. Serena Williams vs Venus Williams

   

   Venus (L) and Serena Williams pictured whilst training earlier this year

Head-to-head overall: 14-11

Head-to-head on grass: 3-2

Though they have been drawn to meet at a few events earlier,  they somehow failed to keep up the date. With that meeting now finally set, the anxiety of an ecstatic fan base is growing.

Serena is the better of the two in terms of current form, but this does not by any means make her the outright bet. In reaching round 16 for just the second time since 2010 (with the first one coming the 2015 Australian Open, where she reached the quarterfinals), Venus Williams portrays a starkly contrasting picture to her all-conquering sister.

Venus’ wins have been more outright, but with the fine form that Serena is in, one cannot imagine Venus’ streak continuing. Despite her experience, the older sister will be more vulnerable when the two meet on Monday. The sisters have 5 singles titles each and 5 in doubles as a team. The younger Williams also has a mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon.

The clash will assume significance as a blockbuster of a match when play resumes on Monday.

Prediction: Serena Williams to win in straight sets

 

 

2.  Victoria Azarenka vs Belinda Bencic

This will be the first head-to-head match for Azarenka (L) and Bencic

Head-to-head: First meeting

This is a match that will be followed with avid interest. Former World No. 1 Azarenka is trying to make a comeback into the top leagues. Bencic is an eighteen-year-old trying to reach her second quarterfinals at the majors stage. This match could see both players battling hard, aiming for a spot among the final eight. Given the form that the Swiss teen has displayed in the recent months and weeks, it would not be impossible for her to beat Azarenka. The Belarusian, too, has the talent to beat her young competitor.

Prediction: Belinda Bencic to win in three sets

 

3 Maria Sharapova vs Zarina Diyas

Zarina Diyas (L) of Kazakhstan and Sharapova at the Australian Open this year

Head-to-head overall: 1-0

Head-to-head on grass: First meeting

Maria Sharapova is silently making progress at the event that saw her catapult to fame. Although the Russian has not managed a title win in the last 10 years at Wimbledon, her form indicates she could make a mark at the Championships. Her opponent will be Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan, who plays her second consecutive fourth round at Wimbledon. Despite Diyas’ form, all statistics indicate it will be former No. 1 Sharapova who will take victory. 

Prediction: Maria Sharapova to win in straight sets

 

4 Coco Vandeweghe vs Lucie Safarova

American Vandeweghe (L) will face Lucie Safarova for the first time

Head-to-head: First meeting

Coming off a dream run at the French Open and being a defending semifinalist, Lucie Safarova is a definite favourite to win this match. The American, on the other hand, has scored some impressive wins over players against whom she was considered the underdog. She took out in form Karolina Pliskova and veteran Samantha Stosur. Safarova has not had a smooth run so far. She had been stretched to three sets by Alison Riske and Sloane Stephens. There is no reason to believe that the third American she will face will not put her in a similar spot. Despite the relatively decisive victories of the American, Safarova should clinch this duel.

Prediction: Lucie Safarova to win in three sets

The bottom half of the draw presents a different picture from that of the top half. None of the players of the eight have won a Grand Slam, though they can boast of a couple of finals, including Radwanska’s at Wimbledon. Two of them, Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic will look to lift their first trophy despite having occupied the top spot previously. The visible absence of Germany's Angelique Kerber and  Sabine Lisicki and defending Champion Petra Kvitova and the presence of the likes of Monica Niculescu and Olga Govortsova will have a pronounced impact