Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Pundits' predictions

The 2011 Wimbledon Championships look set to be one of the most fiercely competitive tournaments for years.

The men's game is blessed with the most gifted bunch of players for a generation with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and home favourite Andy Murray fighting it out at the top of the rankings.

In the women's event, the field is wide open and a host of players have high hopes of victory given that the Williams' sisters are coming into the tournament short of match practice.

Here a selection of legendary players, commentators and experts tell BBC Sport who they think is set for glory in SW19 this year.

SUE BARKER, BBC Sport presenterSue Barker

MEN'S
You could stick a pin in any of the top four but Rafael Nadal is the defending champion and is hitting the ball so well at the moment. He is such a formidable match player and winning the French Open will have really boosted his confidence.

WOMEN'S
I am backing Maria Sharapova as she is the one person who is not afraid of the Williams sisters. Time might have beaten Venus and Serena in their battle to be fully fit but if Serena makes it into the second week I might have to change my choice of winner.

JOHN MCENROE, three-time Wimbledon winnerJohn McEnroe

MEN'S
You can make an argument for any one of the world's top four, but Roger Federer's play at the French Open inspired me to choose him. His game is suited to this surface and his willingness to take more chances on it will pay off. It's hard to pick from anyone outside one of the world's top four. This is a darn good time for the men's game.

BJORN BORG, five-time Wimbledon winner

MEN'S
Murray, Djokovic, Nadal and Federer. There are four guys right now all playing great tennis. We can expect a special Wimbledon that has not happened for a few years. It is tough because I like all four guys and I cannot see anyone win except for (one of) these four. If you say 'pick someone,' I pick Roger Federer because he played so well on the clay in Paris and now he is coming to his favourite surface

WOMEN'S
In the women's singles I have to go with Maria Sharapova. She played very well on the clay which is not her favourite surface.

TIM HENMAN, four-time Wimbledon semi-finalistTim Henman

MEN'S
Roger Federer for me. It was the best I had seen him play at Roland Garros and if he brings that clay form to grass he has a good a chance as anyone.

WOMEN'S
Serena Williams has a superb grass court pedigree and if she survives her first couple of rounds she will go from strength-to-strength.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT, 1999 Wimbledon championLindsay Davenport

MEN'S
I fancy Roger Federer to claim his seventh title here. His game really came back together on his least favourite surface in Paris and he looks back on form.

WOMEN'S
Maria Sharapova has won Wimbledon before and she really impressed at the French Open despite her not being a fan of clay.

ANDREW CASTLE, BBC tennis commentator

MEN'S
It makes me laugh that people don't have Rafael Nadal as favourite. The last time he lost here was in 2007. I saw him in practice earlier in the week and it was ridiculous how well he was hitting the ball.

WOMEN'S
Everytime Serena Williams walks on court she is already three love up. If the enthusiasm is there that will certainly make up for her lack of fitness.

VIRGINIA WADE, 1977 Wimbledon championVirginia Wade

MEN'S
If Rafael Nadal finds his way through a tough half of the draw I expect him to retain his title. He is such a winner.

WOMEN'S
Maria Sharapova is in fantastic form and has the experience of winning Wimbledon before.

GREG RUSEDSKI, Former world number fourGreg Rusedski

MEN'S
The top four seeds will make the semis but I'm going with Rafael Nadal. He last lost at Wimbledon four years ago and is the mentally strongest player on the plant. He impressed me at Queen's and his coach said that this has been his best ever transition from clay to grass.

WOMEN'S
The women's is wide open, the pundits' tip this year seems to be Sharapova but it would surprise no one if Serena Williams wins, but the question is, is she healthy enough?

TRACY AUSTIN, two-time US Open winnerTracy Austin

MEN'S
Roger Federer played so well in Paris and he is now on a surface favourable to his game so I'm picking him. It's a really tough ask to pick one from the top four as we are so lucky at the moment to have four players playing at the top of their game.

WOMEN'S
There are a few question marks over who is going to be the women's champion this year and I think it will be a lot easier after the first week to get an impression. Venus and Serena are more vulnerable in the first week as they regain their fitness and match practice. I make Maria Sharapova a slim favourite. She played really well against Serena last year and she is playing 50% better than that now and loves this surface.

MEN'S
I think Roger Federer will win as he is hitting his serve and forehand unbelievably well at the moment.

WOMEN'S
Petra Kvitova is a fantastic grass court player and I think she is the best server in the women's game. She reached the semis here last year and I think she could go one step further this year.

JO DURIE, Former Great Britain number one

MEN'S
I think Roger Federer will win as he seems the most determined to win and show he is not a spent force.

WOMEN'S
I cannot pick a winner from the women's at all, it is so difficult. Maria Sharapova is in great form, but the Williams sisters are so tough to beat. I really can't pick a winner but I would lean towards Serena Williams as she is such a ferocious competitor.

The above people were talking to BBC Sport's Paul Birch


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