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Maria Sakkari was one of the first to win a match in the Ladies Singles at the 137th edition of The Championships on Monday, and later said that some 25 players have the potential to win the Wimbledon title this year.
From my side, it’s wide open [the draw]. So anyone can win. Going into the tournament, I think that we could name like 20 or 25 girls that could win the tournament right now. I think the depth of women’s tennis is just very good right now, and everyone is playing good. Maria Sakkari
With the early departure on Monday morning of Belarusians Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka, both with shoulder issues, and Ekaterina Alexandrova due to illness, this number reduces somewhat and leaves a wide-open Wimbledon draw.
Starting at 11 am, Sakkari, the No 9 seed from Greece, made short work of American qualifier McCartney Kessler, 6-3 6-1, in a little over an hour on Court 12, to begin her quest to make her mark at the tournament.
The 28-year-old Athenian has never been beyond the 3rd round at Wimbledon, but believes she can improve on that this year.
“For sure it boosts my confidence in a way,” she said. “Obviously, the more I get to play in this tournament the better I will feel.”
The former World No 3 lost in the opening round of the French Open, where she was seeded 6th.
“It’s just always good to get that first-round win,” she added. “Very happy that I managed to overcome myself, because what happened at the French Open was really tough.
“From my side, it’s wide open [the draw]. So anyone can win. Going into the tournament, I think that we could name like 20 or 25 girls that could win the tournament right now.
“I think the depth of women’s tennis is just very good right now, and everyone is playing good.”
There have been 7 different Wimbledon champions in the last 7 years, and Sakkari believes the Wimbledon grass courts, which play more like a medium-fast hardcourt these days, hold little fear for the new generation.
“Grass, obviously, plays different to clay and hard court. But there’s not a top player that cannot play on grass,” she said.
Eastbourne champion Daria Kasatkina made a quick turn-around to beat Zhang Shuai in her opener at The All England Club on Day 1
