Who can beat Wimbledon's king and queen?



Roger Federer (left) and Serena Williams (right) have won 15 Wimbledon singles titles between them
Wimbledon 2018 on the BBC
Venue: All England Club, Wimbledon Dates: 2-15 July
Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, Connected TVs and the BBC Sport website and app; Live Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra commentary; Text commentary online.
Six days gone, seven to go - many seeds have fallen but the queen and king of Wimbledon remain standing.

Between them Roger Federer and Serena Williams have made it into the second week 31 times in total - and going by their form so far they both look a good bet to go all the way.

Add to the mix Federer's old foes, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, and you still have a strong men's competition.

ADVERTISEMENT
However, only Karolina Pliskova remains among the top 10 players in the women's tournament.

I think Serena has as good a shot as anyone to win this event - which is crazy to think

Former US player Chanda Rubin
Elsewhere, there are no Britons in the second week for the first time since 2007, with the two main hopes Kyle Edmund and Johanna Konta dumped out at the third and second-round stage respectively.

BBC Sport takes a look at the state of play at Wimbledon 2018 so far.

Why are so many seeds out?
Top seed Halep defeated
Paire entertains, but loses to Del Potro - best shots
Monday's order of play
Federer looking better than ever - nailed on to defend his title?

The superlatives keep getting recycled for the Swiss player, who at the age of 36 seems to be enjoying a prolonged Indian summer.

It has been three matches and three easy wins so far this tournament, and the number one seed remains a short favourite to win his ninth title.

With the early departure of number three seed Marin Cilic and three-time Grand Slam winner Stanislas Wawrinka, the tennis great's side of the draw has opened up.

However, former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe told BBC Sport that those remaining could still prove difficult opposition.

"After 22nd seed Adrian Mannarino, there's the big-serving Kevin Anderson, or there's the South African's opponent Gael Monfils, who can provide excitement and seems to be playing at his best," said the 59-year-old three-time champion.

"And in the semi-finals, he [Federer] could face John Isner, another player you cannot discount because of the way he serves, or maybe Milos Raonic, who would be the guy to take the racquet out of the hand."

The players who could trip up Federer en route to the final - his record against them
Adrian Mannarino W5 L0
Kevin Anderson or W4 L0
Gael Monfils W9 L4
John Isner or W5 L2
Milos Raonic W11 L3

Watch: Point of the championship so far?
Serena easing back into elite as top seeds fall?

There were question marks over how the seven-time Wimbledon champion would perform on her return "home".

Williams only started competing again in singles in March after more than a year out during which she gave birth to her first child.

Then there was the chest muscle injury she suffered at the French Open prior to her fourth-round match against Maria Sharapova.

But she has navigated through three matches here without dropping a set, and according to former American tennis player Chanda Rubin, Williams is getting stronger by each round.

"Williams appears to be physically OK, and worryingly for her rivals we are starting to see that big serve," the 42-year-old former world number six told BBC Sport.

"Going into the second week, I think Serena has as good a shot as anyone to win this event, which is crazy to think.

"The last-32 match against Kristina Mladenovic was tricky, but she was able to come through it like she's been playing all year. It was remarkable."

French player Mladenovic later posted on Instagram her thoughts about Williams: "You are definitely a different league than anyone else."

Next up for the 36-year-old American is Russian world number 120 Evgeniya Rodina - they meet for the first time.

Wonder William

Comments

Trending posts ��

‘I Want To Win Premier League In First Season’- Arsenal Boss Unai Emery