Maria Sharapova Dominates Pre-Wimbledon Power Rankings

Will Maria Sharapova be the first woman to win back-to-back Grand Slam titles since Kim Clijsters won the US Open in 2010 and the Australian Open in 2011?

Can Petra Kvitova capture her second consecutive Wimbledon title? 

These are two of the many popular story lines being debated as the Wimbledon fortnight prepares to unfold on Monday.

What about the perennial champion Serena Williams? She came back from injury a year ago and was upset in the fourth round last year at Wimbledon.

Earlier this season at the French Open, Williams was dismissed in her first-round match. Yet, the younger Williams sister hopes to rebound  by winning another Wimbledon title—her fifth.

Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams is not seeded at this year’s Wimbledon tournament, nor is former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters. None of the top seeds will welcome playing either of these two seasoned pros in the early rounds.

There are many newcomers populating the women’s top ten. Which of them, if any, will find her way into the championship match? 

The players who top the power rankings did well on the clay which may or may not be a good predictor of their chances on grass. This article explores their recent history and projects their possibilities of doing well at Wimbledon. 

The power rankings themselves weigh the results of the last four tournaments played based on the points awarded by the WTA. They present a snapshot of the women's or the men's tour at a given point in time—useful in assessing those players whose recent play is worth noting.

The power-ranking series is authored by JA Allen, Marianne Bevis and Feng Rong, whose formula provides the rankings.

10. Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland

Last Power Ranking: 3; WTA Ranking 3

Last four tournaments: Roland Garros[Round 3], Brussels [Winner], Rome [Round 2], Madrid [Semifinalist].

Power Ranking Points: 273

Coming in ranked No. 10 is Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.

Radwanska began finding success early. She had a very productive European indoor season after the 2011 U.S. Open, making the final eight field in Istanbul. All the while, her WTA ranking continued to climb.

Radwanska extended her good results into 2012, reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open where she lost to world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka.  She also reached the finals in Dubai.

Once the tour moved to the United States, Radwanska reached the quarterfinals of Indian Wells losing again to Azarenka. But the Pole persevered and at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, Radwanska won the title, defeating Maria Sharapova in the final. 

The clay court season saw Radwanska win the title in Brussels and make the semifinals in Stuttgart and Madrid. She was dismissed in the second round in Rome and the third round at the French Open.

Radwanska ended 2011 with the No. 8 ranking. On May 7, 2012 she became the WTA No. 3 player in the world. 

Wimbledon Outlook

Radwanska as the No. 3 seed was drawn into the same half as Maria Sharapova, the No. 1 seed.

Immediately, Radwanska could face Venus Williams in round 2.  Other potential pitfalls may follow as the No. 3 seed may face (27) Daniela Hantuchova, (11) Ni La or (5) Samantha Stosur as she advances. 

Winning this tournament will not be easy. In past tournaments at the All-England Club, Radwanska’s furthest inroad into the draw has stopped at the quarterfinals.

She lost those quarterfinal matches in 2008 to Serena Williams and in 2009 to Venus Williams.

Her improved movement and aggression on the court give Radwanska a very good chance to advance beyond the quarterfinals with maybe enough impetus to win this tournament.

9. Li Na, China

Last Power Ranking: 8; WTA Ranking 11

Last four tournaments: Roland Garros [Round 4], Rome [Finalist], Madrid [Quarterfinalist], Stuttgart [Quarterfinalist].

Power Ranking Points: 321

Entering the 2012 French Open as the defending champion, Li Na and her legion of fans dreamed of a repeat championship.

Realistically, however, the popular Li Na had not done well since her big win on the grounds of Stade Roland Garros in 2011.

She began the year making the finals in Sydney, losing to world No. 3 Victoria Azarenka.

At the 2012 Australian Open, Li Na lost again to Kim Clijsters, but unlike 2011, it was not the final—it was, rather, the fourth round. 

At Indian Wells and Miami, Li Na lost in the quarterfinals to Angelique Kerber and Maria Sharapova, respectively.

During the clay court season, Li Na had decent but not spectacular results coming into Paris.  She reached the quarterfinals in Madrid, losing to Azarenka, and the finals in Rome, losing to Sharapova.

At the French Open, Li Na went out in the fourth round to unranked Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan.

It was just not in the cards for Li Na to win the French Open this year.

Wimbledon Outlook

Li Na is drawn into the same quarter as Agnieszka Radwanska. Her path to the quarterfinals takes her through the No. 5 seed, Samantha Stosur.

She has appeared in five previous Wimbledon tournaments. The quarterfinals remain Li Na’s furthest reach into the draw.

She first advanced to the quarters in 2006 where she lost to Kim Clijsters.

Her second quarterfinal exit came at the hands of Serena Williams in 2010.

Always competitive and filled with fire, Li Na’s chances of winning this event are not negligible.

A bigger serve would help her but don’t discount the little lady from China during this year’s Wimbledon campaign.

8. Victoria Azarenka, Belarus

Last Power Ranking: 2; WTA Ranking 2

Last four tournaments: Roland Garros [Round 4], Rome [Round 3], Madrid [Finalist], Stuttgart [Finalist].

Power Ranking Points: 322

Victoria Azarenka has to be upset after losing the No. 1 ranking she had held since the Australian Open.

Azarenka began 2012 winning. She captured titles at Sydney, Doha, and Indian Wells, and won the 2012 Australian Open before finally losing to Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli in Miami.

In the process, she took over the world No. 1 ranking from Caroline Wozniacki.

Fortunately, no one in the media could complain about Azarenka because she had won a major—unlike Wozniacki who held the No. 1 ranking for over a year without winning a Grand Slam title.

After taking some time off to recover from injury after Miami, Azarenka returned at Stuttgart where she fell in the final to Maria Sharapova.

The world No. 1 next lost in the finals in Madrid to Serena Williams followed by being taken out in the third round in Rome by diminutive Dominika Cibulkova. 

In a shocker, Cibulkova also eliminated Azarenka from contention at the French Open in the fourth round.

The  lady from Belarus had hoped to cement her ranking by winning the French Open, winning back-to-back majors. Instead she lost the match and soon after her No. 1 ranking to eventual champion, Maria Sharapova.

Now sporting the No. 2 ranking, Azarenka hopes to recapture both her ranking and her winning ways while capturing her second major of the year at Wimbledon.

Wimbledon Outlook

Azarenka’s quarter of the draw seemingly offers the easiest path to the final.

There are, however, a few dangerous players lurking, like Marion Bartoli, who dismissed Azarenka in Miami and Julia Georges, whose play of late should cause any opponent great concern.

Last year, Azarenka had her best result at the All-England Club, reaching the semifinals where she fell to eventual champion, Petra Kvitova in three sets.

Azarenka should be fully recovered from her injuries and ready to do battle on Centre Court. Expect the lady from Belarus to be playing in the final at this year's Wimbledon Ladies Championship.

7. Dominika Cibulkova, Slovakia

Last Power Ranking: NR; WTA Ranking 18

Last four tournaments: Roland Garros [Quarterfinalist], Brussels [Quarterfinalist], Rome [Quarterfinalist], Madrid [Round 1].

Power Ranking Points: 326

When Dominika Cibulkova upset the world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in the fourth round at Roland Garros, the 5’3 dynamo captured the attention of the media covering women’s tennis.

After her shocking but convincing victory, Cibulkova advanced to the quarterfinals where she lost to Aussie Samantha Stosur.

Prior to the French Open, the Slovak made it to the finals of Barcelona where she lost to Italian Sara Errani at the start of the clay court season.

In 2009, Cibulkova was ranked as high as No. 12 in the world before injury slowed her down. She has worked her way back up to the No. 18 ranking.

Being one of the shortest women on tour, the Slovak relies on her superior movement and court speed to keep her in matches. 

Cibulkova loves the faster surfaces that the summer season brings.

Wimbledon Outlook

Last year Cibulkova enjoyed her best Wimbledon to date. She advanced to the quarterfinals, defeating the No. 16 seed Julia Georges and the No. 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki before meeting eventual finalist Maria Sharapova.

The Slovak was no match for the hard serving Sharapova whose game was truly on that afternoon.

This year Cibulkova finds herself in the same quarter of the draw with the No. 4 seed Petra Kvitova.

Her competition will be stiff with a potential matchup with fiery Francesca Schiavone. Even if the Slovak could get past Kvitova, the possibility of meeting Serena Williams awaits.

Cibulkova will battle in each and every match but she will not hang on long enough to win this year’s Wimbledon championship.

6. Kaia Kanepi, Estonia

Last Power Ranking: NR; WTA Ranking 16

Last four tournaments: Roland Garros [Quarterfinalist], Brussels [Semifinalist], Madrid [Round 1], Estoril [Winner].

Power Ranking Points: 341

Estonian Kaia Kanepi has worked her way up to the No. 16 ranking in the WTA after starting the year ranked No. 34.  Her current spot equals her highest ranking to date.

Kanepi has worked hard on her fitness and is ready to make a move into the women’s top ten.

She began 2012 winning the tournament in Brisbane, defeating Daniela Hantuchova in the final.

After being dismissed fairly early until Copenhagen where Kanepi advanced to the quarterfinals, she won the tournament in Estoril on clay, defeating Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain in the final.

The Estonian reached the semifinals in Brussels and advanced to the quarterfinals of the French Open where she lost to eventual champion Maria Sharapova. 

It was a very good start to her year.

Wimbledon Outlook

Kaia Kanepi has been forced to withdraw from Wimbledon in 2012.

Injury will keep her sidelined for this year's tournament so she will not have a chance to compete there and equal her 2010 Championship result when she made it to the quarterfinals after qualifying.

5. Angelique Kerber, Germany

Last Power Ranking: NR; WTA Ranking 8

Last four tournaments: Roland Garros [Quarterfinalist], Rome [Semifinalist], Madrid [Round 3], Stuttgart [Quarterfinalist].

Power Ranking Points: 367

Angelique Kerber compiled an amazing year, climbing all the way to the No. 8 ranking in women’s tennis.

This came after starting the year ranked No. 32.

She began her pre-Australian Open climb in Auckland and Hobart where she advanced all the way to the semifinals.

At the Australian Open, however, Kerber ran into Maria Sharapova in the third round, losing in straight sets.

Then in February she won the Paris Indoor, defeating Marion Bartoli in the final.  The world was beginning to pay attention.

The German reached the semifinals at Indian Wells, losing to Victoria Azarenka—then won in Copenhagen defeating Caroline Wozniacki in the final 6-4, 6-4.

On clay, she advanced to the semifinals in Rome but fell to Sara Errani in the quarterfinals of the French Open.

Wimbledon Outlook

The hot-streaking Kerber was placed in the same quarter of the draw as world No. 1 Maria Sharapova.

In her section the German could face either Jelena Jankovic or, more than likely, Kim Clijsters, who is returning to action after an extended injury time-off.

Besides Sharapova, Kerber might also find herself battling with another Russian, Vera Zvonareva, who is also staging a return to action at the All-England Club.

Kerber has never advanced beyond the third round at Wimbledon, but 2012 seems to be a different and far more successful year than any of her previous tennis seasons.

The German must be regarded as a dark horse to win the tournament.

4. Samantha Stosur, Australia

Last Power Ranking: 4; WTA Ranking 5

Last four tournaments: French Open [Semifinalist], Rome [Round 3], Madrid [Quarterfinalist], Stuttgart[Quarterfinalist].

Power Ranking Points: 532

After winning the 2011 U.S. Open, Samantha Stosur arrived at the very top of the women’s game.

But after capturing that auspicious title, defeating Serena Williams in the process, the Aussie was left carrying a heavy load of expectation.

Stosur played few events after her win in Flushing Meadows. She ended the year ranked No. 6 in the world.

2012 did not begin well for Stosur. She did not advance beyond the second round in Brisbane and was dismissed in the first round in Sydney and the Australian Open.

But finally in Doha, Stosur advanced to the finals where she lost to new world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka.

Stosur accomplished little during the rest of the hardcourt season.

In Charleston on clay, however, Stosur advanced to the semifinals, losing to Serena Williams.

She made the quarterfinals of both Stuttgart and Madrid, falling in the third round in Rome.  All the while, Stosur was honing her skills, hoping to make her way back into another French Open final. 

That did not happen, however, as Stosur unexpectedly fell to Italian clay-courter Sara Errani in the semifinals.

Wimbledon Outlook

Stosur has never done well on the grass. She has been dismissed in the first round for the past two years. 

This year the Aussie has been drawn into the same quarter as Agnieszka Radwanska, but it seems Stosur’s main problem will be to survive beyond her first round match.

Stosur’s game is not amenable to the quick bounces of the grass. Do not expect Stosur to do well at this event even with her capable volleying skills. 

She should look ahead to the 2012 U.S. Open where she is the defending champion.

3. Petra Kvitova [Czech Republic]

Last Power Ranking: 1; WTA Ranking 4

Last four tournaments: French Open [Semifinalist], Rome [Quarterfinalist], Madrid [Round 2], Stuttgart[Semifinalist].

Power Ranking Points: 533

After her astonishing win at Wimbledon last year, Petra Kvitova seemed to take a giant step backwards.

The rest of the summer season in 2011 melted away without good results for the new Wimbledon champ.

Finally in the fall, during the Indoor season, the young Czech began to find her footing again.

Kvitova’s return to form became apparent at the 2011 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships which Kvitova won, remaining perfect through the round robin portion.

There she defeated Victoria Azarenka in the final, ending the year ranked No. 2.

Kvitova reached the semifinals in both Sydney and the Australian Open to start 2012 on a positive note.

On clay, Kvitova reached the semifinals at Stuttgart.

Although falling in the second round in Rome, the Czech came back to reach the quarterfinals.

Then she battled all the way to the French Open semifinals where she finally fell to Maria Sharapova.

Wimbledon Outlook

Kvitova begins the defense of her 2011 Championship on Monday as Wimbledon gets underway.

Her quarter of the draw has many dangerous players—but none quite as deadly as Serena Williams. If the seeding holds, Kvitova is scheduled to meet Williams in the quarterfinals.

Certainly, Kvitova has the game to win Wimbledon. After all, she won it all last year.

The question marks center on her mental strength at this point.  Can Kvitova master her nerves to continue to play the aggressive style she needs in order to win? 

2. Sara Errani, Italy

Last Power Ranking: NR; WTA Ranking 10

Last four tournaments: French Open [Finalist], Rome [Round 2], Madrid [Round 2], Budapest [Winner].

Power Ranking Points: 767

The surprise player at this year’s French Open was Sara Errani of Italy who upset a number of favorites in order to reach the finals of the 2012 French Open.

Errani started her campaign by defeating former French Open champ Ana Ivanovic after losing the first set 1-6.

The Italian fought back, winning the last two sets which sent her into the fourth round to face another former French Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Errani completely baffled Kuznetsova, winning the first set by serving up a bagel. Even though the Russian fought back, Errani won the match in straight sets.

In the quarterfinals, the Italian upended the newest German on a hot streak, Angelique Kerber, to the tune of 6-3, 7-6—sending Errani into the semifinals where she would face last year’s finalist, Aussie Samantha Stosur.

Once again, Errani prevailed and Stosur went home after three sets.

The question then became: could she beat Sharapova in the final?

Turns out she could not, losing to the new world No. 1 in straight sets.

Wimbledon Outlook

Do not expect the Errani magic to carry over to Wimbledon.

The Italian has never done well on the green lawns. Her game of choice remains clay where her strengths shine.  On grass Errani is just mediocre. 

Errani is seeded in Kvitova’s quarter of the draw and, if she survives, could expect to meet Serena Williams in the fourth round. 

Her chances to win this tournament remain the proverbial slim and none.

1. Maria Sharapova, Russia

Last Power Ranking: 10; WTA Ranking 1

Last four tournaments: French Open [Winner], Rome [Winner], Madrid [Quarterfinalist], Stuttgart [Winner].

Power Ranking Points: 1,280

Who ever thought they would live to see the day that Maria Sharapova would win the French Open championship?

If ever a player brimmed over with drive, determination and the will to win—it is Sharapova.

If her win in Paris did not prove that she is a champion, then the world simply is not paying attention.

Her clay court skills are not overwhelming but she makes her game work for her, squeezing every advantage she can out of every stroke.

Her serve is apparently now rock solid. Plus, Sharapova is unflappable. Nothing gets to her. She plays in a constant zone.

Then, too, Sharapova is smart, able to figure out on the fly what she needs to do to win.

When the weather does not cooperate, she adapts, without complaint. This is a true champion, deserving of her win and her No. 1 ranking. 

It would have been far easier for the Russian beauty to walk away from tennis, to make excuses to the world and to herself. But to her credit, Sharapova did not do that. She persevered and took back everything she lost in 2008 when she underwent shoulder surgery.

Her play throughout 2012 has been a testament to her tenacity and her win in Paris nothing short of miraculous.

Wimbledon Outlook

Sharapova will be the odds-makers' favorite along with Serena Williams again to win at the All-England Club—just as they were at the French Open this year.

With her victory in Paris, Sharapova is one player who will not fall apart after winning the French Open crown.

Sharapova is on a mission. Nothing within her power will stop her from grabbing Wimbledon title No. 2.