Na Li 8/1 to win Wimbledon despite French Open success
Published:Na Li made history at the French Open on Saturday by becoming China’s first ever singles Grand Slam champion with a straight-sets win over last year’s winner Francesca Schiavone, but is still an 8/1 shot to win Wimbledon.
One reason for that is the possible return of the queen’s of SW19, the Williams sisters, who have taken nine of the last 11 titles at the grass-court major, which is why Serena is 9/2 and Venus 8/1 despite neither confirming their participation.
Another factor is that the Roland Garros champion has gone on to triumph at Wimbledon just once in the last 14 years, when Serena Williams went all the way in both competitions in 2002 as part of her “Serena Slam”.
Though defeated finalist Schiavone was never likely to be rated one of the frontrunners to win in London having been knocked out in the first round last year and made it to week two just once, her odds of 66/1 are longer than expected.
The favourite is also something of a surprise, with 2004 victor Maria Sharapova leading the way at 7/2, despite having failed to make the last eight in each of her last four attempts, having shown glimpses of her best form in Paris.
The other big names towards the front of the market are Kim Clijsters, who is 5/1 to finally claim her first Wimbledon title, and world number one Caroline Wozniacki, who is 8/1 to break her Grand Slam duck despite never before passing the fourth round.
Another interesting price sees 2010 runner-up Vera Zvonareva valued at 12/1 to go one better this time around.
