Get your whites out and dust off your rackets. It’s that time of year when everyone becomes a tennis expert and Andy Murray splits opinion like a Brexit poll. Over the next few hundred words we’re going to take a look at the movers and shakers in the men’s and ladies’ Wimbledon draws. We’ll try and point you in the direction of a decent bet and almost as importantly, tell you who’s best avoided.
Men’s Wimbledon: Who’s going to win?
Andy Murray –
Get your money down and thank us later! The Scot has had the best moments of his career on the hallowed turf of SW19. He won the title here back in 2013, beating Djokovic in straight sets in the final. He won the Olympic gold here back in 2012, that time beating Federer in straight sets in the final. He arrives this week fresh off his fifth Queens title last week and with his old mentor Ivan Lendl back at the helm. There’s never a good time to take on the might of Djokovic but if Murray can beat him anywhere it’s on grass at Wimbledon in front of his home fans. He’s the recipient of a nice draw having avoided Djokovic, Federer, and Raonic and will take a lot of beating.
I can’t write this blog without dedicating a paragraph to Novak Djokovic. He arrives at Wimbledon on the back of completing the career Grand Slam in Roland Garros a month ago. He’s on a quest for his third Wimbledon crown in a row having beaten Federer here in the 2014 and 2015 editions of the tournament. Arguably though, grass is where he is at his most vulnerable – think Kevin Anderson in last year’s round of 16 where he literally blitzed his way to a two set lead over Djokovic only to lose 7-5 in the fifth. ‘Nole’ has to come through Raonic just to win his quarter and I can think of better odds than on shots to have my money on!
Honourable mentions:
Nick Kyrgios – the brash Aussie is sure to win a Slam sooner or later. Is this one too soon?
Milos Raonic – tough draw in Djokovic’s quarter but has the ability to win it and crucially, has John McEnroe in his corner!
Marin Cilic– broke his Grand Slam duck in New York two years ago, super pedigree on the grass.
They haven’t a prayer:
Roger Federer, Gael Monfils, Kei Nishikori, Stan Wawrinka, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Ladies Wimbledon: Who’s going to win?
Serena Williams –
I’m usually one for something a little more adventurous but on this occasion, I’ve sided with Serena. She’s lost in both Slam finals so far in 2016, to Kerber in Australia back in January, and then to Muguruza just last month in Paris. However, I think her best surface has always been grass and if she plays her top game, or even close to it, there’s just no other winner in my opinion. She comes here as defending champion and has drawn what looks to be a pretty favourable route to the final. I can see another final match-up with Garbine Muguruza on the near horizon, but I’m going to opt for Serena to take her seventh Wimbledon crown in a repeat of last year’s show piece.
Who’s Hot:
Madison Keys, Agnieszka Radwanska, Garbine Muguruza
Who’s Not:
Belinda Bencic, Simona Halep, Ana Ivanovic, Angelique Kerber
- Disagree with us? You can get full Wimbledon 2016 odds right here
- Words by Kevin Lawler