The Pick of the First Round Women's Matches

In her pre-Wimbledon press conference yesterday, world no. 1 Caroline Wozniacki was pretty forthright when she said none of the girls wanted to play the Williams sisters on grass, even though the sisters have barely played since last year's Wimbledon. That says a lot about Venus and Serena, who have combined to win 9 of the last 11 singles titles at the All-England Club. Unfortunately for the others, the two sisters have been drawn in opposite sides of the draw which means there is a good chance that the final could be an all-Williams affair for the fourth consecutive year. But until we get there, let's take a look at some of the exciting first round matches on the women's side.

Francesca Schiavone (6) v Jelena Dokic - Dokic leads head-to-head 3-0 (First meeting on grass)
This is the pick of the first round matches on the ladies side so no surprise that it gets a Centre Court billing on day one. Schiavone is playing the best tennis of her life at age 30 but in spite of having some of the best volleys in the game, she has mostly struggled on the grass. Schiavone (11-10 at WIM, 24-25 on grass) has reached the second week only once – in 2009 when she made the quarters. Dokic, on the other hand, has reached the second week 4 times, including the quarters in her debut in 1999 and the semis in 2000. But the Serb-born Australian has not won a match at the All-England club since 2003. Dokic (17-7 at WIM, 43-19 on grass) is now back in the top 50 for the first time in 7 years on the back of making the finals of the WTA grass court event in Netherlands this week and is my pick for creating the first upset on the ladies side in 2011.
Prediction – Dokic in two tight sets

Aravane Rezai v Serena Williams (7) - Williams leads H2H 1-0 (First meeting on grass)
A few months back, this would have been a real test for Williams so soon into her comeback. But the Frenchwoman is not the player she was last year. Rezai has struggled mightily since January when problems with her father became public. Last month, Rezai accused her father of stealing money from her. Her results have taken a tumble as has her ranking, now down to no. 61 from the top 20 last year. Still, it should be a hard-hitting battle from the baseline between the two. Serena showed she is capable of producing some good tennis in Eastbourne last week and should win this easily in straight sets.
Prediction – Williams in straight sets

Jelena Jankovic (15) v Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez - Martinez Sanchez leads 2-1 (First meeting on grass)
Jankovic loves drama but she may not be too happy with her first round draw at Wimbledon this year. Her opponent is a tricky left hander from Spain, who loves hitting slices, drop shots and coming to the net. And Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez also holds a 2-1 lead in their carer head to head. The Spaniard is having a letdown after a career best 2010 which saw her beat Jankovic in the final of the Italian Open but should be still good enough to trouble the Serb, who is also in the midst of an on-court slump.
Prediction – Jankovic in three sets

Dominika Cibulkova (24) v Mirjana Lucic – First meeting
Baseline bashing at its best. Cibulkova is one of the prettiest players on the WTA Tour and also one of the most consistent, with good set of wheels. She lacks that one major weapon which has hindered her progress into the bigger league. Lucic is a former teen phenom who spent years in wilderness following troubles with an abusive father. She reached the semis at Wimbledon in 1999 but has not won a match here since 2000 and only recently returned to the top 100 this year.
Prediction – Lucic in straight sets

Anna Chakvetadze v Maria Sharapova (5) – Sharapova leads H2H 6-0 (First meeting on grass)
Sharapova is the overwhelming favourite in this encounter but her countrywoman should give her a good test in the first round. Sharapova is the only player besides the Williamses who has won Wimbledon and is one of the favourites for the title this year, coming off her strongest clay court season in many years. Chakvetadze is a former world no. 5 but is not the player she once was. Victim of an attempted robbery attempt a couple of years ago, Chakvetadze suffered an inner ear infection earlier this year, which saw her retire due to dizziness at a few events in 2011. Now having got clearance from the doctors to get back to playing, she will have nothing to lose when she takes on Sharapova which makes her a dangerous foe.
Prediction – Sharapova in straight sets