Wimbledon 2024: Women's singles draw analysis, preview and prediction ft. likely Coco Gauff-Naomi Osaka R4 clash, Iga Swiatek-Jelena Ostapenko R4 duel
The women's singles draw for Wimbledon 2024 has been revealed, with some interesting matches set to be played right off the bat. This will be the first edition of the tournament to not feature either of the Williams sisters in the draw since 1996.
Serena Williams retired in 2022, and while Venus Williams is still active, she's currently on a hiatus. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek leads the field as the top seed, followed by Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.
Defending champion Marketa Vondrousova is battling an injury concern but is still in the fray. All the leading names are in the mix for this year's edition, so with that in mind, here's a look at how the draw could shape out over the next two weeks:
First quarter: Iga Swiatek aims to better her Wimbledon record with a tough road to the title
Seeded players: (1) Iga Swiatek, (6) Marketa Vondrousova, (11) Danielle Collins, (13) Jelena Ostapenko, (20) Beatriz Haddad Maia, (23) Caroline Garcia, (27) Katerina Siniakova and (31) Barbora Krejcikova
Expected quarterfinal: Iga Swiatek vs Marketa Vondrousova
Dark horse: Angelique Kerber
Iga Swiatek once again arrives at Wimbledon on a huge winning streak. Two years ago she arrived in London having won 35 straight matches, only to lose to Alize Cornet in the third round. Similarly, the Pole recently claimed her fifth Major title at the French Open this year and extended her unbeaten run to 19 matches.
Swiatek made the quarterfinals at SW19 for the first time last year and will now be keen to go further than that. However, with a rather tough draw, that might prove to be difficult. She's up against Sofia Kenin in the first round, who knocked out Coco Gauff in the opening round of the Major last year.
A win would pit the Pole against the winner of the clash between Petra Martic and Francesca Jones in the second round. Former Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber could await in the third round, with Swiatek's nemesis Jelena Ostapenko being a possible fourth-round adversary.
While she is 0-4 against Ostapenko, the latter is in the midst of a rough patch and could bow out early. Defending champion Vondrousova is on the other side of this quarter - and herself has some big names to navigate to make it to the last eight.
The Czech will commence her title defence against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, and could run into Barbora Krejcikova in the third round, and either Danielle Collins or Beatriz Haddad Maia in the fourth.
If she's fully fit after her recent injury scare and is able to withstand the pressure of being the defending champion, then Vondrousova has a shot at making another deep run. However, given the form of players in this section, Swiatek is the only safe choice to make the quarterfinals despite her relatively weaker results on grass.
Quarterfinal prediction: Iga Swiatek def. Marketa Vondrousova
Second quarter: Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina eyeing a second title at the venue
Seeded players: (4) Elena Rybakina, (5) Jessica Pegula, (10) Ons Jabeur, (15) Liudmila Samsonova, (17) Anna Kalinskaya, (21) Elina Svitolina, (30) Leylah Fernandez and (32) Katie Boulter
Expected quarterfinal: Elena Rybakina vs Jessica Pegula
Dark horse: Alycia Parks
Elena Rybakina has been one of the most consistent performers this year, winning three titles from five finals. She also made the quarterfinals of the previous Major, the French Open. However, her body has let her down from time to time due to either injuries or sickness.
The Kazakh fell ill while competing in Berlin a week ago and retired halfway through her quarterfinal match. Coming to her draw here, there are some tricky players in her section. She will start her campaign against Elena-Gabriela Ruse and is likely to face Laura Siegemund in the second round.
Rybakina could run into one of Leylah Fernandez, Alycia Parks or Caroline Wozniacki in the third round. In the fourth, she could face Liudmila Samsonova who she trails 1-4 in their head-to-head. The Kazakh will need to put her best foot forward if she intends to make the last eight.
Two-time runner-up at Wimbledon, Ons Jabeur and World No. 5 Jessica Pegula are on collision course as well. The latter recently won her first title on grass in Berlin while the Tunisian retired from the same tournament due to an illness.
Both have a tough third-round test to pass before they meet each other in the fourth round. Jabeur could have to deal with Elina Svitolina, while Pegula could lock horns with Katie Boulter. If they're able to emerge victorious, the Tunisian's track record at Wimbledon could give her the edge against the American.
Should that come to fruition, then a rematch of last year's quarterfinal could be on the cards. Jabeur and Rybakina crossed paths at the All England Club a year ago, and if the same happens once again, history is likely to repeat itself.
Quarterfinal prediction: Ons Jabeur def. Elena Rybakina
Third quarter: Aryna Sabalenka vying to breach the semifinal barrier at Wimbledon
Seeded players: (3) Aryna Sabalenka, (8) Zheng Qinwen, (9) Maria Sakkari, (14) Daria Kasatkina, (22) Ekaterina Alexandrova, (24) Mirra Andreeva, (25) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and (28) Dayana Yastremska
Expected quarterfinal: Aryna Sabalenka vs Zheng Qinwen
Dark horse: Emma Raducanu
Aryna Sabalenka's run of six straight Major semifinals came to an end at last month's French Open with a quarterfinal loss to Mirra Andreeva. However, she was hampered by an illness during that defeat. She has been the most consistent performer at the Majors for a while now.
With two semifinal finishes at Wimbledon, Sabalenka will be hoping to finally make it past that stage this time. A shoulder injury caused her to retire in Berlin last week, so if she's fully fit, she could make another deep run at the British Slam.
Sabalenka will commence her quest for a maiden Wimbledon title against Emina Bektas. She could meet her rival Donna Vekic in the second round, who leads their head-to-head 6-2. The Belarusian could face Dayana Yastremska in the third round.
Sabalenka would have to contend with the young Andreeva once again as the two could meet in the fourth round. If the teenager crashes out earlier than expected, then the Belarusian could be up against players like Paula Badosa, Karolina Muchova or Daria Kasatkina for a spot in the quarterfinals.
The other section of this quarter is pretty wide open, with Emma Raducanu being the leading favorite to pull through. Zheng Qinwen is the highest seed in this section but has blown hot and cold since her runner-up finish at the Australian Open.
Maria Sakkari is on a four-match losing streak and has performed poorly at the Majors for a while now. Raducanu made the semifinals and the quarterfinals of the two grasscourt tournaments she competed in, and a maiden quarterfinal at Wimbledon beckons if she maintains her form.
Quarterfinal prediction: Aryna Sabalenka def. Emma Raducanu
Fourth quarter: Coco Gauff gunning to bounce back from last year's disappointment at Wimbledon
Seeded players: (2) Coco Gauff, (7) Jasmine Paolini, (12) Madison Keys, (16) Victoria Azarenka, (18) Marta Kostyuk, (19) Emma Navarro, (26) Linda Noskova and (29) Sorana Cirstea
Expected quarterfinal: Coco Gauff vs Jasmine Paolini
Dark horse: Bianca Andreescu
Coco Gauff made headlines when she qualified for the main draw of Wimbledon as a 15-year old and went on to reach the fourth round. Half a decade later, she has firmly established herself as one of the top players on the women's tour.
The American lost to Kenin in the first round of Wimbledon last year but went on a tear after that, capturing her maiden Major crown at the US Open. She has reached the semifinals of both Majors this year as well, so one can expect her to make a deep run here too.
Gauff will take on fellow American Caroline Dolehide in her opener and could be up against Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the second round. Eva Lys, who stunned Amanda Anisimova in the final round of qualifying, could await her in the third round.
Gauff's potential fourth-round adversaries are some of the most well-known players in the business. Victoria Azarenka and Sloane Stephens battle it out in the first round, with the winner likely to meet Karolina Pliskova in the second round.
The winner of that match could run into either Naomi Osaka or Emma Navarro in the third round. Gauff could be up against any one of them for a spot in the last eight, though she will be the heavy favorite against all of them.
The other side of this quarter is led by French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini, who's having a career-best season. She will face Sara Sorribes Tormo in the first round and a second-round date with Heather Watson is on the cards as well.
Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu could be a possible third-round foe, with Madison Keys likely to be Paolini's fourth-round opponent. The American, on the other hand, has a pretty easy path to the fourth round, and given her record on grass, she will be favored to beat the Italian as well.
Keys and Gauff could square off in an all-American quarterfinal showdown. The former leads the latter 3-2 in their head-to-head and could extend that if they meet here.
Quarterfinal prediction: Madison Keys def. Coco Gauff
Semifinal Predictions
Ons Jabeur def. Iga Swiatek
Aryna Sabalenka def. Madison Keys
Final
Aryna Sabalenka def. Ons Jabeur