Women to watch at Wimbledon, which begins Monday (statistics through Saturday; seedings in parentheses):
SERENA WILLIAMS (1)
Age: 28
Country: United States
2010 Match Record: 18-4
2010 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 36
Major Titles: 12 -- Wimbledon ('02, '03, '09), U.S. Open ('99, '02, '08), Australian Open ('03, '05, '07, '09, '10), French Open ('02)
Last 5 Wimbledons: '09-Won Championship, '08-Lost in Final, '07-QF, '06-Did Not Play, '05-3rd
Topspin: Reached the final on five of her last seven appearances at Wimbledon. ... She and older sister Venus stuck to time-honored plan of not entering any grass-court tuneup tournaments between French Open and Wimbledon. ... Did not play on tour at all in February, March or April because of a left knee injury. ... Williams sisters will be seeking a fifth consecutive Grand Slam doubles title.
VENUS WILLIAMS (2)
Age: 30
Country: United States
2010 Match Record: 29-5
2010 Singles Titles: 2
Career Singles Titles: 43
Major Titles: 7 -- Wimbledon ('00, '01, '05, '07, '08), U.S. Open ('00, '01)
Last 5 Wimbledons: '09-F, '08-W, '07-W, '06-3rd, '05-W
Topspin: She's been the champion or runner-up at the All England Club eight of the past 10 years; the three losses in finals all came against younger sister Serena. ... Fastest first serve in women's game and powerful groundstrokes pick up speed on slick grass. ... Since the beginning of 2008, hasn't been past the quarterfinals at any major event other than Wimbledon, where the women's singles trophy happens to be named the Venus Rosewater Dish. ... Back at No. 2 in the WTA singles rankings for the first time since 2003. She and Serena are tied at No. 1 in doubles rankings.
KIM CLIJSTERS (8)
Age: 27
Country: Belgium
2010 Match Record: 18-4
2010 Singles Titles: 2
Career Singles Titles: 37
Major Titles: 2 -- U.S. Open ('05, '09)
Last 5 Wimbledons: '09-DNP, '08-DNP, '07-DNP, '06-SF, '05-4th
Topspin: Returns to the All England Club for the first time since 2006. ... Ended 2½-year hiatus from tour last August, then won U.S. Open in September. ... Was sidelined about 1½ months and missed French Open because of left foot injury. ... Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament where she's never reached a final.
MARIA SHARAPOVA (16)
Age: 23
Country: Russia
2010 Match Record: 17-5
2010 Singles Titles: 2
Career Singles Titles: 22
Major Titles: 3 -- Wimbledon ('04), U.S. Open ('06), Australian Open ('08)
Last 5 Wimbledons: '09-2nd, '08-2nd, '07-4th, '06-SF, '05-SF
Topspin: Still trying to return to top of her game after having right shoulder surgery in October 2008, then dealing with a right elbow injury this season. ... Only one quarterfinal appearance in her most recent seven major tournaments, including first-round loss at Australian Open in January and third-round exit at French Open in May. ... Reached final on grass at Birmingham this month. ... Was 17 when she won Wimbledon for her first Grand Slam title.
JUSTINE HENIN (17)
Age: 28
Country: Belgium
2010 Match Record: 29-7
2010 Singles Titles: 2
Career Singles Titles: 43
Major Titles: 7 -- French Open ('03, '05, '06, '07), U.S. Open ('03, '07), Australian Open ('04)
Last 5 Wimbledons: '09-DNP, '08-DNP, '07-SF, '06-F, '05-1st
Topspin: Won grass-court title Saturday at Den Bosch, Netherlands. ... Back at Wimbledon for first time since 2007; she took 20 months away from the game before returning this season. ... Wimbledon is only major championship she hasn't won, and she cited that gap on her resume when explaining why she ended her retirement. ... Reached the final at the Australian Open in January, her first Grand Slam tournament since returning.