Wimbledon 2016: Five ladies’ singles tips from day two
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | June 27, 2016
2016 Wimbledon ladies’ singles
- First round (top half)
- Tuesday, June 28th
- Scheduled on court: 10:00 BST
- All England Club, Wimbledon, southwest London
- Live across the BBC
Bid for 22nd Slam starts for Serena
Serena Williams begins the defence of her Wimbledon ladies’ singles championship on Tuesday, still looking to tie Steffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22 individual Grand Slams.
As the top half of the women’s draw gets underway there are some truly dangerous unseeded players, not forgetting home hope Heather Watson.
Coral’s tennis tipsters have got their heads together and come up with five bets you can back that every chance of coming off at the All England Club…
Watson has the beating of Beck
We start with British entrant Watson, so impressive in defeat to champ Serena 12 months ago in round three. There’s a second-ever meeting with Germany’s Annika Beck here and there should be little trouble in front of a passionate home support.
At 11/10 to beat Beck without dropping a set, Watson makes for an intriguing punt, not least because she managed this five years ago in their only previous encounter.
Kuznetsova to crash out in three to Wozniacki
Ladies’ 13th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova has made a habit of early exits from Wimbledon in recent years, and things should be no different in 2016 as the Russian is in danger of being beaten by former WTA world number one Caroline Wozniacki.
Danish tennis pro Wozniacki is on a dangerously low ranking and has won her two previous career clashed with Kuznetsova on grass, both at Eastbourne which is the traditional preparation event for this Grand Slam.
The form of last year’s meeting on British soil with Wozniacki winning in three sets looks good, and a repeat result is an awesome 11/4 chance.
Sixth seed Vinci at Riske
Veteran Italian and clay court specialist Roberta Vinci looks to be rated far too high at Wimbledon as a top seed, because grass does not suit her game.
The 33-year-old is set to be run ragged around SW19 by American hope Alison Riske, who is eight years her junior. Although these two have never met before, that fact is not lost on Coral.
Riske may be odds-on at 2/5, but this is one giant-killing she looks more than capable of doing on a surface that is far more in tune to her style. A better price of evens is available on a straight sets victory for Riske.
Bouchard to win Rybarikova opener 6-4
Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard of Canada will want to put her injury problems behind her and once again make an impression on a tennis Major here.
Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova lost their only previous meeting, crumbling after dropping the opening set 6-4. A repeat scoreline in Bouchard’s favour is a fabulous 5/1 price here.
Bencic and Pironkova to go the distance
Swiss teenage talent Belinda Bencic is one of the most exciting women to watch the WTA Tour, and she missed the French Open to be 100 per cent for a tilt at Wimbledon 2016.
Paired in the first round last year with Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria, rising star and ladies’ singles seventh seed Bencic came through in three sets.
Although a terrific 3/1 to win 2-1 again, punters can be forgiven for being wary of her because there could be some rust. Therefore, a safer 6/5 price says the latest Bencic v Pironkova battle will be over 2.5 sets.
Related
You’ll find comprehensive coverage of both the Wimbledon men’s and ladies’ singles throughout the championships on the Coral tennis page.
