Serena now looks on track for title No.8
SERENA WILLIAMS was considered a “dangerous floater” a week ago but the American now looks favourite to win an eighth and perhaps most special Wimbledon title.
The exodus of seeded players has been so spectacular only one of the top 10 remains – No.7 Karolina Pliskova.
World No.1 Simona Halep, defending champion Garbine Muguruza, Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki and US Open title holder Sloane Stephens all bit the dust.
Add double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Williams’s older sister Venus to that list and there is a case to say the title is hers to lose, so impressive has the 36-year-old American been despite playing only a handful of matches since giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia in September.
At 181 Williams is the lowest-ranked player left but that will fool nobody. She was bumped up to 25th seed and has fully vindicated that decision, winning all six sets she has played.
It is unlikely Russian qualifier Evgeniya Rodina will stop her in today’s last 16 but the path ahead is not without hazards. Former No.1 Pliskova, Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens, who did for Venus in the last round, and Germany’s Julia Goerges are all in her half of the draw.
On the other side Dominika Cibulkova, dumped out of the seedings to accommodate Serena, is playing as if she has a point to prove while Latvian Jelena Ostapenko and Russian Daria Kasatkina have both shown they are no respecters of reputation.
Romanian Halep said: “Serena I feel has a chance to win it. But also I see many other players that have the chance to win it. Depends on the day. Depends on the power, the feelings. Everyone can do it.”