Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka blockbuster final as Elena Rybakina struggles – our Wimbledon women’s singles predictions

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Wimbledon is nearly here, with the women’s draw attracting arguably more intrigue than the men’s this year.

With just two days to go until action gets underway, we make our predictions – as 128 players battle it out for the Venus Rosewater Dish.

Swiatek vs Sabalenka showdown

The tennis world has been waiting for a blockbuster Grand Slam final between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka – will it finally happen at Wimbledon?

World No 3 Sabalenka is arguably the favourite to reach the final from the bottom half of the draw, considering her Grand Slam consistency, and the fact that she loves playing on grass.

On paper, Swiatek’s draw is tougher – as is the top half overall – but the Pole has had a stunning season, and her consistency should enable her to go on her best run at SW19.

With both in great form this season, we’re predicting a crunch clash between the two in the women’s final.

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Gauff keeps up Slam form

After a round one exit at the All England Club a year ago, Coco Gauff bounced back by winning the US Open, and then reaching the last four at the Australian and French Opens.

She is the only woman to reach the semi-final of both majors this season, and a good draw should enable her to continue that streak with a deep Wimbledon run.

The American should face no significant threat until the second week, and with projected quarter-finalist Jasmine Paolini largely untested on grass, another semi-final looks likely.

Gauff may struggle against Sabalenka should they meet at that stage as expected, but she should reach that point at the very least.

Rybakina Slam woes to continue

Outside of Swiatek, no one has won as many tour titles as world No 4 Elena Rybakina, with the Kazakh winning three WTA 500 crowns.

However, she has not brought that form into Slams, losing in round two in Melbourne and the quarter-final at Roland Garros – and has continued to struggle with illness throughout 2023.

The Kazakh is a former Wimbledon champion but has not reached the semi-final of a Slam since the Australian Open last season, and it is difficult to see her doing so here.

Rybakina should be able to work her way through to the second week but with two resurgent players – Jessica Pegula and Ons Jabuer – potential quarter-final opponents, it is hard to back her to go too deep.

Surprise package

The top of the game is certainly more dominant than it was a few years ago, but that doesn’t mean we don’t get any surprises at the Grand Slams.

Few would have predicted Zheng Qinwen versus Dayana Yastremska or Mirra Andreeva versus Paolini semi-finals at Slams this year, while only twelve months ago Marketa Vondrousova was an unseeded champion at SW19.

Though most of the big names will go deep, we expect there to be at least one unseeded player reaching the last eight.

This will likely come from section five where the top seeds – eighth seed Qinwen, and ninth seed Maria Sakkari – are both susceptible.

Emma Raducanu, Elise Mertens, or Taylor Townsend could all be primed to pounce.

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