Like the shifting sky above SW19, Petra Kvitova’s game can fluctuate from glorious to gloomy—sometimes within the space of a successive points. The 2011 Wimbledon champion is one of the game’s most gifted ball strikers; she’s also one of its most unpredictable players. The lefthander can mesmerize with the all-court skills she showed in roaring through the field to take the title in 2011, or she can mortify, sending her flat drives soaring beyond the lines or sinking into the middle of the net. She hasn’t been beyond the third round at a major so far this season. Sometimes, you get the sense Petra herself doesn’t know which version of herself will materialize. The good news for Kvitova is Wimbledon is her most successful Slam, she can seize control from both her serve and return to keep points short, and her past success should provide confidence coming out of a disappointing clay-court season.
Why She’ll Win:
Kvitova’s flat strokes stay low on the lawn and are tough to defend, she can drag opponents off the court with her serve, and she’s a fine volleyer who can close with force or finesse at net.
Why She Won’t:
When Kvitova’s game goes off, she has no reset button and can degenerate into erratic play. She’s vulnerable to the mid-match malaise when her mind wanders and shots stray.
Bottom Line:
If Kvitova is landing her lefty serve and can minimize the mental walkabouts and lapses into stray shots, she can reach at least the quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive year.
Click on each player's photo to see our thoughts on their Wimbledon prospects.