Wimbledon women's draw: Round of 16 Preview

5) Li Na vs Roberta Vinci (Head to Head: 3-0)

Li Na

2011 French Open champion Li Na would be up against the Italian Roberta Vinci for a place in the last 8 at Wimbledon. This encounter is the only match of the Wimbledon women’s draw going according to the initial seeding. These two have faced each other thrice, with Li Na winning on all 3 occasions.

Li Na is coming off a tough 3 setter against Klara Zakopalova in the 3rd round where she prevailed 8-6 in the final set. Vinci also has had her fair share of difficult encounters being stretched to 9-7 in the final set in the 2nd round against Jana Cepelova. Though, she defeated Dominica Cibulkova in clinical fashion in the 3rd round. All in all, this would be a good matchup between two evenly matched players.

Prediction: Li Na wins in 3 sets.

6) Agnieszka Radwanska vs Tsvetana Pironkova (Head to Head: 7-2)

Tsvetana Pironkova

Last year’s finalist Radwanska will have a tough encounter against Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova for a place in the last 8. Pironkova has an impressive record at SW19, reaching the semis in 2010 and the last 8 in 2011. Both these players have had a similar run up to now in the tournament with pretty straightforward victories in the earlier rounds and a 3 setter in the 3rd round.

These two have faced each other thrice on grass with the Pole winning twice. However, in their last meeting on grass at Eastbourne last year, the Bulgarian romped home to a straight sets victory. If both players play to their maximum potential, this match could certainly go the distance and would certainly be the match to watch out for in the 4th round.

Prediction: Pironkova wins in 3 tough sets.

7) Laura Robson vs Kaia Kanepi (First meeting)

Laura Robson

Last remaining British hope Laura Robson would be up against Estonian world number 46 Kaia Kanepi for a place in the quarterfinals. Laura Robson has had some difficult matches before this round coming back from the brink against Kiwi Marina Erakovic in the third round.

The first Brit in the 4th round in 16 years would have her task cut out against Kaia Kanepi, who has had her share of upsets knocking out 7th seeded German Angelique Kerber in the 2nd round. This could be a close encounter, with Robson probably going through with the home support that she would have on the court.

Prediction: Laura Robson wins in 3 sets.

8) Serena Williams vs Sabine Lisicki (Head to Head: 2-0)

Serena Williams

Defending champion Serena Williams will be up against a slippery customer in the form of German Sabine Lisicki. Lisicki has performed really well on the grass courts at Wimbledon, reaching the quarters twice and once reaching the semis. However, considering Serena’s form, this could well be a one-sided encounter.

Serena has not dropped a set en route to the round of 16 and is coming off a win in Paris. These two have met each other twice with the American prevailing on both occasions. The only thing Serena has to be careful of is to prevent a repeat of performances similar to the ones against Sloane Stephens in Melbourne or Kuznetsova in Paris.

If Serena plays to her form, it would be very difficult for the German to overturn her opponent.

Prediction: Serena Williams wins in 3 sets