2008 Wimbledon Predictions

The draws have been selected for the 2008 Wimbledon Championships set to serve from June 23 to July 6 as five-time defending Champion Roger Federer will have to face Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic if he wants to return to Centre Court. There is a possibility for an all-Williams' final on the women's side if defending Champion Venus Williams can get by No. 2 seed Jelena Jankovic.

However, there is a distinct possibility they'll be serving cevapcici and meatballs rather than strawberries and cream after the finals at Wimbledon as No. 1, Ana Ivanovic, and No.3, Novak Djokovic, both winners of Grand Slams this year, look to shake up the tennis world and win tennis' most storied event. The following are Doc's 2008 Wimbledon predictions for betting on tennis' top prize.

Who will win the men's 2008 Wimbledon?

Federer will put his amazing 10-0 career grass court record in tournament finals on the line as he has been installed as the even-money favorite for the Men. Rafael Nadal is the second favorite at 2/1 while Serbian ace Novak Djokovic is set at 7/2 to win over the fortnight. It's very likely that one of these three men will win, and it's exceptionally hard to bet against Federer on Clay.

Rumors of Federer's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Last year experts were speculating the same thing after another disappointing French Open. Pre-Wimbledon, Federer lost twice against Canas, once against Volandri and twice to Nadal, but he still managed to win Wimbledon (in a five-set thriller against Nadal) and the US Open.

At the French Open in May we correctly predicted that the 5/2 favorite Nadal would win. And win he did, dispatching Federer in straight sets to claim his fourth French Open title in a row. This lopsided victory was one of Federer's worst losses on clay to Nadal and has to be grating on the Federer Express.

Nadal leads the tour in prize money, earning more than $4 million already this year but is still ranked No.2. Last year I saw Nadal exposing and exploiting weaknesses in Federer's game that hadn't been apparent before. But even with that he has not been able to overcome Federer. This year he might not have to face the Federer Express if Djokovic can beat him in the semis. Either case if they do meet this could be one of the matches of the fortnight. While I like Nadal to make the finals I don't see him getting by either Federer or Djokovic in the finals.

Nobody is more home on Centre Court than Federer who beat Nadal in last year's five-set final. However, through four sets it was unclear who would win until Federer pulled away in the fifth set. This year a return to the finals is not a foregone conclusion as it has been in the past.

Djokovic has put the tennis world on notice after winning the Australian open earlier this year in powerful fashion. While his draw is far from easy, it's winnable if he can get by mercurial Marat Safin in the third round. However, to get to the finals Djokovic will also have to face a stiff test in 2002 finalist David Nalbandian, who always seems to rise to the occasion at Wimbledon. Nalbandian beat Djokovic, Nadal and Federer in one tournament, granted they only played the best out of three sets but still that's quite an accomplishment. Unfortunately, recently Nalbandian played really well at Queens until he met Djokovic, where he lost 6-1, 6-0. The question is if he was given an extra set could he have won? Perhaps, he is known for his exhaustive five-set matches as well as his bad temper.

Gentlemen's Championship Pick! Novak Djokavic, (7/2)

Longshot Pick! David Nalbandian, (33/1)

Who will win the women's 2008 Wimbledon?

Certainly backing either Williams sister, Serena at 7/2, or Venus at 5/1, is a risky proposition given the amazing young talent in the women's draw and the Williams' propensity for mental lapses, off-court distractions, and lack of practice court time.

When Venus Williams, seeded No. 7, is healthy, she is the world's No.1 grass court player. In 2002 and 2005 she set all kinds of grass court records but those days seem to be in the distant past despite her improbable victory last year at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Then there is Maria Sharapova. Regardless of her No. 3 ranking, the 2004 Champion is the favorite set at 2/1 odds and a relatively easy draw, setting up a likely meeting between either Venus Williams or Jelena Jankovic in the semi-finals. But Sharapova will have to play a lot more of the inspired tennis she played at the Australian Open rather than the vapid game she displayed at the French.

A speed bump for Sharapova could come in the third round against this year's French Open finalist and fellow Russian and No. 9 seeded Dinara Safina. Safina has shown she can play brilliant tennis of late and is hungry to win her first Grand Slam after a disappointing French Open where she was dismantled by current No.1 Ivanovic.

Certainly the beneficiary of Henin's retirement was Ivanovic. Henin's retirement guaranteed that after three years the French Open would have a new Champion. Inspired by her relatively easy win over Safina, she is in a great position to win her second consecutive Slam. Ivanovic might encounter a bit of third round trouble against fellow Russian, Anna Chakvetadze, No. 8 seed, in the third round and Svetlanda Kuznetzova, No. 4 seed, in the fourth. But if she can get by those players it is likely Ivanovic will cruise through to the finals. That is where I expect to see her at the end of the fortnight; most likely to face her country-woman Jankovic.

Ladies Championship Pick! Ana Ivanovic (7/2)

Ladies Longshot Pick! Dinara Safina (16/1)

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