Wimbledon - Tennis: Best American Chances at SW19

bet365 News Team Published: 16 Jun 22 12:05

The United States have been enjoying success at Wimbledon since Bill Tilden delivered the men's singles title in 1920, but what of American chances this year?

It's 22 years since Pete Sampras hoisted the silver gilt cup aloft on Centre Court for the seventh and final time of his glittering career and it's hard to believe that he remains the last US winner on the men's side. Andy Roddick made three finals in the following decade, but ran into an irrepressible Roger Federer on each occasion.

However, since Roddick called time on his career, there has been a real dearth of success in the second week at SW19. Sam Querrey beat Novak Djokovic en route to the last eight in 2016 and made it past Andy Murray into the semis a year later, but there's been little else to get American fans cheering at the business end of the tournament.

Greater depth in male class of '22

The American class of 2022 features a deeper group of male talent than many that have gone before, yet it still lacks any obvious contender for the title - even in a year where some of the big names will be missing for various reasons.

The USTA could see as many as six of their men seeded with Taylor Fritz, priced at 50/1 to win Wimbledon, and 66/1 Reilly Opelka leading the way while 66/1 John Isner, Frances Tiafoe, 50/1 Jenson Brooksby and Tommy Paul are all on the bubble to make it into the top-32 of available stars.

Sebastian Korda was the lone American to make it into the fourth round in 2021 and came really close to beating Karen Khachanov - one of two Canadians who made it a round further as left-hander Denis Shapovalov later reached the last four.

Korda has had an up and down 2022 season so far, but his game is better suited to the faster grass courts on which he compiled a 5-2 record last year. The 21-year-old son of former Czech star Petr could be a dangerous floater in the men's draw.

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Young female stars can shine

With three singles players in the WTA's top-15 right now, the main hopes for American success in the next grand slam will be focused on competing for the Venus Rosewater Dish.

Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins, available at 33/1 to win the title at Wimbledon, will be feared by all but the very best because of her ferocious hitting style, but she has not been too active in the lead-up to Wimbledon and may come in a little undercooked.

Fellow 28-year-old 50/1 Jessica Pegula cracked the world's top ten for the first time following her run to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros and could carry some momentum from that into her third main draw appearance.

On past evidence, however, the Buffalo native appears more suited to slower courts and may find it tough to grind down a grass specialist if she gets drawn against one in the early stages.

Gauff giving off good vibes after Paris performance

The third, and youngest, member of the top US trio offers greater hope because of her previous pedigree on the Wimbledon lawns, which includes her breakthrough win over Venus Williams back in 2019.

Coco Gauff, who offers interest at 12/1 to win Wimbledon, has the game, athleticism and mentality to go deep in this event - and particularly after her impressive sequence of six wins on the clay at Roland Garros.

The French Open runner-up can draw upon her experience of back-to-back fourth-round appearances at SW19 when the going gets tough later on and won't lack for support from a crowd waiting to embrace her as the next teenage Wimbledon champion.

Serena still trying for that record-breaking major

Serena Williams, priced at 16/1 to go all the way, revives her bid to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles one year after her last appearance on a tennis court, which ended in heartbreak when she was forced to retire injured against Aliaksandra Sasnovich after slipping on Centre Court.

Much nearer her 41st birthday than her 40th, she will play some doubles at Eastbourne to prepare for her wildcard entry and - likely to be up on Centre on the first Tuesday, will be an unseeded player no-one will want to face.

Whether she can get her great weapon of the first serve clicking and shorten the points enough to make serious progress remains to be seen after such a prolonged period of inactivity that has seen her slip outside the world's top 1,000.

Madison's avenue could open up

Another veteran performer that could finally come good on the grass is Madison Keys, who can be backed at 33/1, and she ought to be confident after a return to form in 2022.

The Australian Open semi-finalist made it to the second week at the French Open and seems to be targeting the grand slams towards the end of her peak years on court.