Wimbledon 2013: Sloane Stephens and the Biggest Challengers to Serena Williams

As the 2013 Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament kicks into high gear, it is clear once again that World’s No.1 female tennis player Serena Williams is the class of the field.

While Williams has utterly dominated her competition over the last several months, the best players the sport has to offer like Sloane Stephens, Victoria Azarenka and others will do their best to dethrone the queen of the mountain at Wimbledon.

Sloane Stephens

At just 20 years old, American tennis sensation Sloane Stephens is already building a reputation as one of the brightest prospects in the sport and one of the biggest threats to unseat Williams as the top American on the women’s side.

Stephens has never advanced past the third round in her short career at Wimbledon, but after advancing to the semifinals of the Australian Open and going into the fourth round at the French Open, the American is ready for even more.

Williams is one of the strongest players on tour, but Stephens has proven that she is fearless against the best. If the level she plays at during Wimbledon equals her intensity on the court, she will be very dangerous to beat.

Victoria Azarenka

Despite an injury scare in the first round, No. 2 overall seed Victoria Azarenka will look to halt Williams' winning streak and assert her own dominance on the sport of women’s tennis.

Due to her placement in the draw, Azarenka will have the luxury of waiting as long as possible to avoid the red hot American champion, and she is hoping that one of the other top players will knock Williams off before she makes it to the finals.

Not only is Azarenka coming off a huge Grand Slam win at the Australian Open earlier this year, but she is also coming off a semifinal run at the French Open, which was the best finish at Roland Garros in her career.

Momentum would be on her side if she were to meet Williams in the finals.

Li Na

While Li Na doesn’t get the same mainstream attention as Williams or the other top players in the world, the Chinese star has been a perennial contender in Grand Slams over the last five years and is getting better each season.

The 2011 French Open winner has struggled on the grass of Wimbledon, but with a solid draw and a great start to her tournament (she beat Michaella Krajicek 6-1, 6-1 in the first round), Na has the right mindset and experience to make a run at the No. 1 seeded Williams.

Na has only reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon twice in her career, but the Finals appearance in Australia earlier in 2013 should help the Chinese star put together a stellar tournament at the All England Club.

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