Power Ranking the Top Women Heading into 2013 Wimbledon

The Wimbledon Championships will be underway in a matter of days. They start with 128 players vying for a spot in the final—but only two will make it to Championship Saturday, when the winner is crowned.

Venus Williams, who has won the title five times, has withdrawn from Wimbledon this year, just as she did from the French Open. Her illness continues to sideline the former champion. 

Who will provide the most excitement during the days to follow?

More importantly, who has the greatest chance to break through and win this title for the first time, like Petra Kvitova did in 2011?

What are the oddsmakers forecasting prior to the announcement of the Wimbledon draw? Those numbers reflect the popular choices to win it all.

Following is the power ranking of the women who have the best chances to emerge as the 2013 Wimbledon champion after two weeks and seven rounds of fierce competition at the All England Club.

15. Jelena Jankovic, Serbia

WTA Ranking: No. 16

Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a slim shot at winning Wimbledon, over 100-1.

Why She's Here: The former world No. 1 had an outstanding French Open, doing her best to steal Maria Sharapova's spot in the semifinals. She shot out to a 6-0 lead in their match, taking the first set before Sharapova could react. Eventually, the Russian took control, but the Serb made her work hard to get there before eventually falling in three.

2013 has been a good year, to date. Jankovic won her first title since she won Indian Wells in 2010. She reached the semifinals in Miami. Then she advanced to the finals at the Family Circle Cup, where she lost to World No. 1 Serena Williams. Perhaps this new winning spirit will give new life to her 2013 Wimbledon campaign.

Wimbledon Outlook: In 2011-2012 Jankovic exited Wimbledon in the first round. Prior to that, however, the Serb advanced to the fourth round from 2006-2008 and again in 2010. While not many give her a chance to win this title, Jankovic has made some remarkable progress so far in 2013. She seems to be playing with a fire and determination that were missing the past two seasons. Jankovic may just surprise everyone this year.

14. Ana Ivanovic, Serbia

WTA Ranking: 12

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her an 85-1 chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: Ana Ivanovic has worked hard to climb back to the upper rungs of the WTA rankings ladder. The former world No. 1 sank to No. 65 in July of 2010, seeing the bottom drop out of her tennis fortunes after achieving such a high in 2008. Many players would have quit the game, but Ivanovic came back. In 2013, as the tour moves to Wimbledon, Ivanovic has the opportunity to make it back into the top 10 in women's tennis. 

Wimbledon Outlook: In 2007, Ivanovic reached the semifinals of Wimbledon, losing to eventual champion Venus Williams. She can play on grass. In 2012, she advanced to the fourth round, losing to Victoria Azarenka. This year, expect the Serb to stretch for more, trying to extend her stay to equal or surpass her 2007 results. For Ivanovic at this point, the only movement she should accept is forward. 

13. Marion Bartoli, France

WTA Ranking: 15

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her an 81-1 chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: Marion Bartoli is difficult to predict. She can be down and out in a match and then fight her way back to win. Or she can be sailing along on tranquil seas, only to drown as the match progresses. The Frenchwoman never seems to quit on court, even though she chooses to take the long way around with her serve and her shots—using two hands on both sides. After going out in the third round of the French Open, Bartoli will be ready to pound her way through the draw on the green lawns of Wimbledon.

Wimbledon Outlook: It is possible. Bartoli did march through the draw in 2007, to the surprise of everyone. She fought Venus Williams for the championship that year but lost the final. She has never equalled that result at the All England Club. That will not, however, deter Bartoli in her quest to win a major during her career. With fond memories of Centre Court, she will seek to return to another championship match. The chances of that happening are unlikely but not impossible.

12. Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark

WTA Ranking: 9

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a 78-1 chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki would love nothing more than to reclaim her former top ranking, if and when she finally wins a major. The fact that she held the top spot in women's tennis without that distinction left the Dane wide open to major criticism.

Wozniacki did not devise the ranking system. She simply worked her way to the top, winning consistently enough to compile the points. Since her fall from the top, Wozniacki has fluctuated but remained close to her current No. 10 spot. She's still playing ahead of the curve, winning more often than she's losing.

Wimbledon Outlook: Wozniacki reached the fourth round of Wimbledon for three consecutive years from 2009-2011. Last year, she exited in the first round, falling victim to Tamira Paszek, who went on to reach the quarterfinals. Wozniacki will play solid, defensive tennis on court, making few mistakes and waiting for her opponent to falter. That style of tennis has served her well. With another ingredient or two, the Dane might advance to the quarterfinals or beyond in 2013.

11. Laura Robson, Great Britain

WTA Ranking: 37

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a 68-1 chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: As a junior, Laura Robson won the Wimbledon title in 2008. She has definite potential to do it again, this time as a full-fledged professional. After reaching the third round of the Australian Open, Robson was sent packing at the first hurdle in Paris, losing to the No. 10 seed Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets.

In two recent grass-court tournaments, Robson lost to Daniela Hantuchova in Birmingham during the second round and again to Wozniacki at Eastbourne in the second round. Hopefully, Robson will soon realize her potential and begin winning some of these matches.

Wimbledon Outlook: Although Robson's results at Wimbledon have not been that great so far in her professional career, she did reach the finals of the mixed doubles competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics held at Wimbledon. She was paired with Andy Murray. The British twosome was defeated in the final by Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka from Belarus. The experience of that mixed doubles competition plus her win at Wimbledon as a junior should give Robson some confidence heading into the fray in 2013. 

10. Samantha Stosur, Australia

WTA Ranking: 14

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a 50-1 chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: The oddsmakers give Stosur a shot, albeit a long shot, of winning this championship. As a seasoned veteran and former world No. 1 in doubles, Stosur is something of an enigma on grass. She has volleying skills at the net but has never done well with the low bounces off the grass.

As a former winner of the U.S. Open and a finalist at the French Open, Stosur has the ability to control her nerves and serve out a match. But Wimbledon brings out the worst results of all the majors, and she's never advanced past the third round here.

Wimbledon Outlook: The big backswing on Stosur's forehand slows the Australian down too much—that, plus the fact that her big kick serve is deadened on the grass. Unless she can counter those two major factors in her game for the grass-court season, her time at the All England Club may be very short indeed.  Some new tactics are needed for Stosur to make that giant leap forward into Week 2.

9. Sloane Stephens, United States

WTA Ranking: 17

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a 47-1 chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: After advancing to the fourth round of the French Open, where she was dismissed by defending French Open champion Maria Sharapova, Sloane Stephens can no longer be considered an ingenue on court. She is ranked in the top 20 at age 20 with a little over three years of experience on tour. She has a promising future with her fluid service motion and big forehand.

The time has come to add another major upset to Stephens' collection. Many bet it will come on grass at this year's Wimbledon.

Wimbledon Outlook: Last year, Sloan Stephens made it to the third round at the All England Club before being bounced from the proceedings by always-dangerous Sabine Lisicki in three competitive sets. This year, Stephens needs to step into the court quicker, upping her aggression and placing her opponents under immediate pressure. She has the foot speed and the net play to become a real force on grass. This should be a break-out opportunity for the young American, allowing her to put her stamp on the women's tour.

8. Angelique Kerber, Germany

WTA Ranking: 7

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a 37-1 chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: One of the most consistent ball-strikers on tour, Angelique Kerber knows what it takes to get the job done in each and every match because she's done her homework. The German tries to stay ahead by anticipating her opposition's game plan, playing solid defense from the baseline. This strategy has seen her rise and stay in the women's top 10 for most of the past two seasons. Remaining focused on the finish line and quelling her nerves throughout the match, Kerber wins most of the time.

Wimbledon Outlook: Although the French Open was disappointing, Kerber will be ready for the rigors of Wimbledon. Last year's semifinal appearance should just whet her appetite for more in 2013. The opposition is always tough, but Kerber is ready for it, meeting it head on. She will be one of the favorites to break through if major upsets of the top seeds occur in Week 1.

7. Sabine Lisicki, Germany

WTA Ranking: 23

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a 35-1 chance of winning it all.

Why She's Here: Sabine Lisicki progressed through the quarterfinals in 2009, the semifinals in 2011 and the quarters again last year, losing to fellow countrywoman Angelique Kerber. The young woman plays her best on grass—unfortunately, the shortest season in tennis. So, while the sun shines on the green lawns for the next two weeks, Lisicki will relish the weird bounces and the giant hops of the ball—the true mark of a seasoned grass campaigner. 

Wimbledon Outlook: Using all her weapons, including a seismic first serve accompanied by huge groundstrokes, Lisicki will be hard to beat at the All England Club. That assumes she is fit and healthy heading into action. Lisicki will be looking to better her semifinal Wimbledon finish against Sharapova in 2011. In 2013, only reaching the finals will be good enough as she fires rockets across the net. The oddsmakers only give her a 35-1 shot to win, but those odds may improve as the tournament moves into Week 2.

6. Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland

WTA Ranking: 4

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a 33-1 chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: First of all, Agnieszka Radwanska reached the quarterfinals of the French Open in 2013—the furthest she's advanced in six previous tries. It is her second quarterfinal appearance at a major in 2013, having advanced that far at Melbourne during this year's Australian Open. This appears to be the Pole's year for stretching herself at Grand Slam tournaments. True, she lost in the opening round at Eastbourne, but that will not deter the world No. 4 from looking for another opportunity to win on Centre Court in the final stages of the tournament.

Wimbledon Outlook: Last year, Radwanska reached the finals at Wimbledon, fighting weather, illness and the opposition. Once she reached this pinnacle, standing on the other side of the net was Serena Williams, four-time champion of the event. Radwanska managed to take a set before Serena took charge again. This proved to all watching that Radwanska had arrived at the peak of her form on grass. She will be looking to better that mark in 2013 as Wimbledon gets underway.

5. Li Na, China

WTA Ranking: 6

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a 28-1 chance of winning it all.

Why She's Here: Li Na's French Open campaign was disappointing; she exited after the second round. In fact, her whole clay-court season in 2013 was nothing to write home about. But that will not stop Li Na or put a damper on her ambition for the rest of the summer season. A veteran of the courts, 31-year-old Li Na currently battles at Eastbourne, advancing to the third round after the retirement of Marion Bartoli in Round 2. She will use this warm-up tournament on grass to jump start her early-round prowess at Wimbledon.

Wimbledon Outlook: The lady from China will be hoping to reach beyond her quarterfinal finishes in 2004 and 2010. After an early second-round departure in 2012, Li Na needs to reestablish her game and put into play her vast experience in doubles. She has the all-court game to succeed on grass. It is time to regain her confidence by going for broke mentality—playing to win instead of playing not to lose. 

4. Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic

WTA Ranking: 8

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a 12-1 chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: Ultimately, the Czech's serve and powerful groundstrokes land her in this spot. Oddsmakers like the 23-year-old too. She has the best shot after the top three for advancing to the final at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships.

After a shocking upset by Jamie Hampton of the U.S. at the French Open, Kvitova will be scrambling to reassemble her game in time for her grass-court campaign. At Eastbourne, however, the Czech went out in the second round to Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium after winning the first set. There is still work to do.

Wimbledon Outlook: In 2012, Kvitova had to face Serena Williams in the quarterfinals. That encounter stopped the former champion in her tracks. Winning the title in 2011, Kvitova definitely has the game and the weapons to win it again. She needs to focus on her serve and groundstrokes, attacking her opponents with aggression and pinning them far back in the court. When the Czech gets tentative, allowing self-doubt to creep into her head, her game goes south. Hopefully she can find that will to win it all again in time for the Wimbledon fortnight.

3. Victoria Azarenka, Belarus

WTA Ranking: 2

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a 6-1 chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: The fact that Victoria Azarenka reached the French Open semifinals should clue in her critics. She's absolutely serious about winning Grand Slams, regardless of the surface. The result at Roland Garros in 2013 represents the furthest Azarenka has ever reached in eight tries on the red clay. This means the lady from Belarus has learned patience and how to construct points by waiting for just the right moment to strike. This works equally well on grass because you can still be aggressive on returns and hope your opponent makes a mistake. 

Wimbledon Outlook: To date, Azarenka has reached two consecutive semifinals on Centre Court at Wimbledon. Last year, she lost to eventual champion Serena Williams. In 2011, she lost to eventual champion Petra Kvitova. This year, expect Azarenka to reach the final. There is no Serena Williams until the final, which proves to be a real bonus to the current world No. 2 as Wimbledon is set to get underway.

2. Maria Sharapova, Russia

WTA Ranking: 3

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a 6-1 chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: After battling injury, which included restructuring her game, Maria Sharapova has fought her way back to the top of the women's game. As defending champion, Sharapova reached the French Open finals once again in 2013 but lost the fight to Serena Williams after two weeks battling on the red clay of Paris. But the Russian is a fighter, and she will remain determined to win it all each and every time she steps onto the court. 

Wimbledon Outlook: You can never discount Sharapova. After winning the title in 2004, the world No. 3 wishes to add another Wimbledon title to her resume. Now age 26, she will do her utmost to capture the championship again. She reached another final in 2011 but lost to Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-4. Last year, she went out in the fourth round to a red-hot Sabine Lisicki. Those aggressive groundstrokers who rush her shots always present major problems to Sharapova on grass. But that is exactly what she does to the opposition. It is just a case of pinpointing her own shots and staying aggressive that will win Sharapova her second Wimbledon title.

1. Serena Williams, United States

WTA Ranking: 1

Current Odds: On average, oddsmakers give her a better-than-even chance of winning Wimbledon.

Why She's Here: Serena Williams will embark on a journey to win her sixth Wimbledon title in just a few days. Few women have achieved that distinction in the modern era. Steffi Graf won seven titles, and Martina Navratilova won nine. At age 31, there is not much Serena Williams has not accomplished in her career. Now, she plays for the record book.

The world No. 1 player has just captured her second French Open title. She will be on a mission to win another title on Centre Court at Wimbledon, where it all began back in 2002.

Wimbledon Outlook: After 13 tries, Serena Williams no doubt has it all figured out. She's won Wimbledon five times and reached two additional finals, losing to Sharapova in 2004 and sister Venus in 2008. According to oddsmakers, the youngest Williams sister cannot possibly lose. Never taking anything for granted, Serena will be calm, contained and ready to do battle. You can count on it.