With the Wimbledon 2025 women’s draw blown wide open after a string of high-profile exits, it’s time to dissect the remaining contenders with surgical precision. As we approach the third round, who stands out as the new favorites in this unpredictable edition?
Sabalenka Still the Top Name, but No Easy Path
Aryna Sabalenka remains the obvious headline contender. Judged by Martina Navratilova as one of the favorites pre-tournament, the World No. 1 has survived the chaos that saw the rest of the Top 5—Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Qinwen Zheng, and Jasmine Paolini—already eliminated. But Sabalenka’s path is anything but smooth: she faces an in-form Emma Raducanu in the third round. If she clears that hurdle, she might welcome the prospect of meeting Elise Mertens or Elina Svitolina in the Round of 16, before a potential clash against a resurging Madison Keys in the quarters. Both players would see a semi-final as a real shot at glory given the carnage elsewhere in the draw.
The Second Quarter: Open Season for Linda Noskova, Amanda Anisimova, and a Surprise
The second quarter is virtually unrecognizable from its original seeding, with Noskova and Amanda Anisimova the only seeded players left standing. Jasmine Paolini and Qinwen Zheng were the biggest casualties here, opening the door for the likes of Parry, Kartal, Pavlyuchenkova, or even Naomi Osaka to sneak into the last eight. Noskova faces Rakhimova, while Anisimova meets Galfi — and both will be keen to exploit the vacuum to claim their places in the quarterfinals.
Third and Fourth Quarters: Can Swiatek or Rybakina Navigate the Minefield?
The third quarter lost Jessica Pegula early, but Elisabetta Cocciaretto—fresh from dispatching both Pegula and Volynets—now runs into Belinda Bencic. Should she pull off another upset, a potential quarterfinal against Ekaterina Alexandrova looms. Meanwhile, Mirra Andreeva is quietly emerging as a dark horse here, and the highest seed left in this section.
In the fourth quarter, Iga Swiatek labored in round two and now meets Danielle Collins in what promises to be a bruising third-round duel. If she wins, she might run into Elena Rybakina—if the Kazakh can overcome Clara Tauson. Liudmila Samsonova also lurks here, flying through her early rounds and possibly setting up a Round of 16 showdown with Daria Kasatkina.
With so many giants already fallen, Wimbledon 2025 is shaping into a tournament where nerve and adaptability could matter more than ranking. Stay tuned—there’s much more to unravel as the grass war rages on.
Why Rybakina Would Be the Favorite if She Reaches the Wimbledon Final
After two rounds, the Wimbledon women’s draw has crystallized: the survivor of the brutal top half will likely enter the final as the nominal favorite — on paper. But that calculation changes if Elena Rybakina makes it to the final. Why? Her astonishing track record at the All England Club speaks for itself: 21 wins against just 3 losses on these lawns, the best of any active player. Rybakina’s quiet dominance on grass — crowned by her 2022 Wimbledon title — gives her a psychological and tactical edge that no one else in the field can claim. Even if she spends more energy navigating early rounds than her rivals, her proven ability to rise to the occasion here would make her the favorite in any championship match. Especially on grass.