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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.
MEN'S FIELD | WOMEN'S FIELD
1. Pete Sampras: Despite disappointing year thus far, has to be the favorite. Tends to get stronger as tournaments progress, will be challenged in first-round match against Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia.
2. Marcelo Rios: Made it to the quarters in Paris. Won't get that far here.
3. Petr Korda: Has gone AWOL after winning the Australian. Fluid, all-court player overdue for a strong showing on grass. Will signature scissors kicks fly at austere All-England?
4. Greg Rusedski: A wrist injury may hinder brogue-less Brit. If not, classic serve-and-volleyer has a legit shot at becoming England's first champ since Fred Perry from 1934-36.
5. Carlos Moya: Too bad Wimbledon isn't played on clay. French Open champ has a great draw but could fall to Magnus Larsson in the third round.
6. Patrick Rafter: Haven't heard much from the Aussie heartthrob lately. Ought to get a stern fourth-round test from Tim Henman.
7. Yevgeny Kafelnikov: Won Halle tune-up and well-rounded game is suited for grass. Match against Sampras in quarters may determine tournament winner.
8. Cedric Pioline: Finalist last year, erratic Frenchman won't fare as well in '98. Tough draw has him starting out against hard-serving Marc Rosset.
9. Richard Krajicek: If '96 winner catches fire, could give Sampras a run. Draw clears up after a gritty first opponent in Kiwi Brett Steven.
10. Alex Corretja: Not on grass, you don't. If he doesn't lose to Justin Gimelstob in the first round, he'll fall to crafty Mark Woodforde in the second.
11. Jonas Bjorkman: Scrappy Swede has had a rough 1998. Foot speed and strong net game will serve him well on grass. Sure wish his serve were bigger.
12. Tim Henman: Local favorite always acquits himself well here. Can shake rap that he's too bloody nice by taking out Rafter in the fourth round.
13. Andre Agassi: Generous seeding is deference to status as former champ. Could run into trouble in second round against Boris Becker protégé Tommy Haas.
14. Goran Ivanisevic: Long overdue for a breakout. Particularly if his serve is on, he has a legit shot of winning—as has been the case for the past 10 years. Will be tested early in second-round match against Marat Safin/Andrei Medvedev winner.
15. Karol Kucera: Big Czech could make some noise. Watch for him to take out Rios in the fourth round if no one's done so earlier.
16. Felix Mantilla: Clay-court specialist has benefit of fairly easy draw, but he's a prime candidate for an early upset.
THE PICKS
Semifinals: Sampras vs. Henman; Rusedski vs. Krajicek
Finals: Sampras vs. Rusedski
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