Serena’s Quarter

• Serena Williams  is obviously the favorite on paper when playing on grass.  I think she will face some adversity in this event.
• Serena and Maria Sharapova being in the same quarter is not ideal for either player.
• Eugenie Bouchard is aiming for her 3rd consecutive Grand Slam semifinal.  She could cause issues for anyone including Serena if that match comes into existence.
• Bottom Line: If Williams is healthy and not rusty, she should advance due to both her acumen for grass and her lopsided record versus Sharapova.

Simona Halep’s Quarter

• This is a deep quarter.
• Simona Halep is not a traditional grass court player, but her ability to move gives her the chance to reach the semifinal round.
• Sabine Lisicki has to feel some unfinished business exists in London.
• Ana Ivanovic recently won a warm-up event on grass and has slowly been rebuilding some of her clout on tour in the past 12-18 months.
• Carla Suarez Navarro has great variety and played well in Paris.
• Roberta Vinci’s all–court game and Vera Zvonareva’s past success make them dangerous members of this quarter.
• Jelena Jankovic is always hanging around, but for whatever reason I don’t see her getting past the quarters if she gets that far.
• Bottom Line: This section of the draw includes two Wimbledon runner-ups, a few former #1s, and one of the most consistent performers on tour who just had a near miss in the Roland Garros final.  I could see many players coming through, but Ivanovic’s solid play in Melbourne and just having won a grass court event makes me think she is the slight favorite to reach the semifinal round from this quarter.

Radwanska’s Quarter

• Radwanska has to feel unfinished business exists in London, but her level of play seems to have dipped in 2014.
• Vika is healthy enough to play, but what can be expected beyond that?
• Kuznetsova is a dangerous veteran, but grass has never been her strongest surface.
• Sara Errani’s doubles acumen could be an asset.
• Dominika Cibulkova could make another deep Grand Slam run in part because this draw is not terribly tough.
• Garbine Marguza has talent and hits through the court.  She could come through.
• Bottom Line: This is a draw someone can blast through as it is not terribly imposing.  I think if Vika is healthy and starts playing with house money as not expectations really exist she could come through. However, I think Dominika Cibulkova is the slightest of favorites to come through this quarter.  

Na Li’s Quarter

• Na Li seems to be suffering from a confidence issue.  I don’t expect to see her in the semis despite Li having a lot of game.
• Sam Stosur has the athleticism to do some damage, but her stroke production is not ideal for grass.
• Caroline Wozniacki could write a nice comeback story with a deep run here.
• Maria Kirilenko and Sloane Stephens may have the most interesting first round match in the draw.
• Venus Williams and her 5 titles could make her a a dangerous floater.
• Petra Kvitova if healthy and confident could obviously do well, but these are two big ifs.
• Bottom Line: If Wozniacki rediscovers her consistency, that may be enough to reach the semifinal round.  Still, I think weapons will be needed to win five matches in a row.  Against all logic and because I have to pick someone, I think Petra Kvitova reaches the semifinal round.