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 Who will win Wimbledon? Posted: Mon June 22, 1998 Sports Illustrated staff writer Jon Wertheim gives you the skinny on the seeded players at Wimbledon and tells you who will be left standing after two weeks of play.
WOMEN'S FIELD | MEN'S FIELD 1. Martina Hingis: Big question is how will defending champ respond to a bad loss at the French? Tough first-round match against Lisa Raymond will provide early answers.
2. Lindsay Davenport: Perennial also-ran, doesn't run well enough to win on grass. May not survive fourth-round encounter with Amanda Coetzer.
3. Jana Novotna: The clock's a-tickin' on the game's best serve-and-volleyer. If she survives the first week, the Royal Box may have to invest in waterproof apparel for the Duchess of Kent.
4. Steffi Graf: If knee holds up, Fraülein Forehand has a shot at an amazing eighth title. But all signs indicate that seeding was exceedingly generous.
5. Arantxa Sanchez Vicario: Can prove French was no fluke with respectable showing.
6. Monica Seles: Sentimental favorite after encouraging French Open. Lack of stamina may prevent her from winning first Wimby, but crowd will be on her side.
7. Venus Williams: Still a tenderfoot on grass, but dangerous nonetheless. Could play sister Serena in fourth round.
8. Conchita Martinez: Only career Grand Slam title came here in 1994. In the draw's weakest quartile, has a chance to break out of an extended slump.
9. Amanda Coetzer: Player to watch. Quick, indefatigable South African should outlast Davenport in fourth round.
10. Irina Spirlea: A decent bet to upset Hingis. Strong at net, isn't afraid to take risks and has the steely nerves that her likely fourth-round foe, Novotna, lacks.
11. Mary Pierce: A continuing underachiever. No change here.
12. Anna Kournikova: Withdrew Monday with torn ligaments in her right thumb. Opens up her portion of the draw for Serena Williams—who may have beaten her regardless.
13. Patty Schnyder: Quietly climbing the ranks. Too bad she meets another Swiss teenager in the fourth round.
14. Sandrine Testud: Big server ready for breakthrough. Can she catch Seles on an off day?
15. Dominique Van Roost: May not survive first-round matchup against Johnette Kruger. Certainly won't get by Arantxa in round of 16.
16. Nathalie Tauziat: Tough second-round match against faltering (and unseeded) Iva Majoli.
THE PICKS
Semifinals: Hingis vs. Novotna; Seles vs. Coetzer
Finals: Seles vs. Novotna
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