Without Barbora Strycova, can Hsieh Su-wei retain the women’s doubles’ title? We look at the predictions for today and the potential threats in Wimbledon 2021
Like in the men’s category, the women’s category also has the doubles’ division, capable of throwing plenty of surprises. With the 2020 Wimbledon suffering cancellation, this year’s event has garnered plenty of viewership. Hence, the women’s singles division, which has competed fiercely so far, would be keen to bring in the same level in the doubles category.
Not only does playing doubles require great eyesight and coordination, but also good reflex skills. It needs an excellent gauging of the partner’s strengths and weaknesses to operate accordingly to achieve victory. The Women’s double fixtures already began on the 1st of July, and the competition level would travel only higher.
Five potential winners in the women’s category to win Wimbledon 2021 in the predictions for today
Chan Hao-Ching – Latisha Chan
Chan Hao-Ching has a relatively modest record in doubles’ mixtures, having accumulated a winning percentage of 60. But Hao-Ching hasn’t tasted success in the quarter-finals. The best result she has produced is reaching the finals of Wimbledon in 2017 with Monica Niculescu. Along with Niculescu, the pair suffered a bagel.
On the contrary, Latisha Chan has a slightly better record, lifting the US Open title in 2017 and having a winning percentage of 69.5. The seventh seed toppled Cornelia Lester and Patricia Maria Tig convincingly. They will face Ingrid Neel and Elixane Lechemia and should win that too. As higher-ranked players, they should fancy their chances of lifting the crown this year.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sania Mirza
Bethanie Mattek-Sands has a formidable record as far as the doubles matches go, having won 414 games and losing 218. Wimbledon perhaps remains the only grand slam event for her to conquer since she has won three others, including the Australian and French Open twice.
The 36-year old will team up with Sania Mirza for the first time in grand slams. While Sania Mirza struggled with her movement in her mixed doubles’ first round, she did well in women’s doubles’ first round. Mirza also has a Wimbledon title, winning in 2015 alongside Martina Hingis. Hence, the former number one player’s experience would come in handy.
Shuko Aoyama – Ena Shibahara
Shuko Aoyama has an incredible record in the doubles’ fixtures, winning 396 and losing a paltry 234 matches. But Shuko Aoyama is yet to taste success in the grand slams as her best achievement has been to reach the semi-final in Wimbledon semi-finals in 2013.
But Aoyama and Shibahara continued their momentum and won the first round comfortably. On the other hand, Ena Shibahara has a winning percentage of 66 in the doubles’ category. However, she has an underwhelming record in grand slams as the best result for her is reaching the quarter-finals when she did so during the 2020 French Open.
But Aoyama and Shibahara won the Eastbourne international before winning the first round of Wimbledon 2021 convincingly. Hence, the number 13 ranked players have a good chance of winning.
Barbora Krejzicova – Katerina Siniakova
Barbora Krejzicova surprised most people, taking apart several records to win the Roland Garros’ singles title this year. Barbora Krejzicova became the first Czech Republic woman in 40 years to lift the French Open title. Krejzicova was also the third unseeded player in five years to win the crown.
At the same time, Krejzicova has an incredible doubles record under her belt, possessing a 70.5 winning percentage. She won the French Open doubles’ title as well this year and won Wimbledon in 2018. Her partner, Katerina Siniakova also has a promising winning % of 66.2.
Along with that, Siniakova has won the French Open and Wimbledon doubles titles with Krejzicova itself. Hence, the pair will hope to replicate their magic on the grass-court surface once more in Wimbledon 2021 and fulfill the predictions for today.
Hsieh Su-Wei – Elise Mertens
While Hsieh Su-Wei could not get out of the first round as she lost to Iga Swiatek in straight sets, the same is not the case with her partner. Elise Mertens has progressed to the third round after winning her first two in straight sets. Nevertheless, Su-Wei and Mertens have a formidable record in the doubles’ category.
The Taiwanese is also a defending champion, but her partner Barbora Strycova retired in May this year. While Su-Wei has a winning percentage of 65.9, with victories in Wimbledon and French Open finals, Mertens has 68.8 %, without any grand slam wins. After exiting early from the singles category, Su-Wei is well placed even without Strycova to retain the doubles’ title.
Also Read: Wimbledon 2021 Women’s Singles Predictions, Five Likely Contenders To Win The Event