Wimbledon 2011: Womens’ Final – Match Preview
There is always a refreshing simplicity about assessing a Wimbledon final. The pre-tournament news, prediction and rumours have faded away, the endless commentary about who might play who after today’s matches – it has all become ‘clean’ now, a one against one, winner takes all, the end.
Two young women, the Russian-born Maria Sharapova and the Czech ‘leftie’, Petra Kvitova, will meet on centre court this afternoon for the final showdown. It is hard to take in that at 24 and 21 years old respectively, both girls are of a similar age. Given that Sharapova was a winner here a long 7-years ago, one tends to think of her as the older, seen and done it all before player against a player in the first flush of her tennis career at this level.
Kvitova, left-handed and Czech born, is reminiscent of the great Martina Navratilova and the latter has been present to support Kvitova this year. As is often the case, one can reasonably conclude that if Kvitova plays to her very best, she could well be winning this title but there is the lack of experience. Controlling the nerves is a big factor and one does just wonder if Kvitova will allow the big occasion to get to her game a little.
Sharapova will no doubt be aware that her opponents left-handed serve will be a dangerous weapon and there will be no room for complacency against Kvitova. In her favour, Maria does have the experience of the big occasion and having not dropped a set at all so far, she looks set to return right to the top of her profession after the horrible shoulder injury that could have ended her career.
Much will depend how things go early; Kvitova would benefit from a good start but Sharapova can hold her nerve under attack, as she showed in her semi when coming back from 3-0 down to take the first set 6-4. Overall, Sharapova has to start as the match favourite but both players have a genuine chance.
Betting wise, ValueChecker’s pre tournament selection was Petra Kvitova at 10/1 so anyone following the advice of the site is in a good position; a bet on Sharapova to win the final and a profit whatever the result. For those yet to take an interest, then my advice would be to go with the experience of Sharapova at 8/13 (1.62)