Ranking the Top 25 Women After Wimbledon
15. Coco Vandeweghe (WTA Ranking: 32)
Jul 7, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Coco Vandeweghe (USA) in action during her match against Maria Sharapova (RUS) on day eight of The Championships Wimbledon at the AELTC. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
She has struggled for most of the year, but Coco may have just found her game going into the American hard court swing. The grass is built for Vandeweghe’s game, a fact she let everyone know when she took out Pliskova, Safarova and Stosur on the way to a thrilling quarterfinal clash against Maria Sharapova. She may have been unseeded, but the American was one of the best performers at this year’s Wimbledon.
14. Jelena Jankovic (WTA Ranking: 25)
Jul 4, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Jelena Jankovic (SRB) reacts during her match against Petra Kvitova (CZE) on day six of The Championships Wimbledon at the AELTC. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Jankovic has struggled with injury and the ever-frustrating barrier of age this year, with uncommon strong showings in Indian Wells and s’Hertogenbosch. So trust JJ to take out the defending Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova for the best victory of her career on her worst surface. Her increased aggression speaks well for her chances in New York, the slam where she’s experienced her greatest success.
13. Venus Williams (WTA Ranking: 15)
Jul 6, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Venus Williams (USA) in action during her match against Serena Williams (USA) on day seven of The Championships Wimbledon at the AELTC. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Father Time has nothing on Venus Williams, the vibrant, albeit aging, American who is experiencing her best year in quite some time. She faded against her red-hot sister in the fourth round, but she sure was impressive on the path there, especially in her double bagel victory over Madison Brengle. She may not be considered a grand slam contender anymore, but can she cause some damage in New York? All signs point to the affirmative.
12. Lucie Safarova (WTA Ranking: 8)
Jul 6, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Lucie Safarova (CZE) in action during her match against Coco Vandeweghe (USA) on day seven of The Championships Wimbledon at the AELTC. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
A fourth round showing is a solid, if unremarkable way for Safarova to back up her maiden grand slam final in Paris. However, the Czech was far from her best this fortnight: a tight Alison Riske was the only reason she made it out of the first round. Her performances weren’t terrible, but they did indicate that Safarova may fall victim to increased pressure throughout the rest of the year.
11. Caroline Wozniacki (WTA Ranking: 4)
May 28, 2015; Paris, France; Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) in action during her match against Julia Goerges (GER) on day five at Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Another grand slam; another lost chance for Wozniacki to make inroads on her quest to claim a grand slam title. The fourth round outing on grass isn’t a bad showing for a counterpuncher, but Wozniacki lost a winnable match to Garbine Muguruza. Had she made it past the Spaniard, she would have been the favourite to reach the championship match. Alas, she leaves the All England Club disappointed – a common result of her grand slams performances this year.
Next: Numbers 6-10