betprepare.com

Bencic the favorite only on paper at the moment

Pironkova has Wimbledon semifinal and quarterfinal but she also lost twice in the first round in the last two years. Last year she lost to Bencic but the Swiss came to Wimbledon with the first title in her carrier back then. She now has three straight defeats, lack of matches and injury struggles

Getty Images

Just as she starting finding her rhythm following the 2-month break caused by back injury, Bencic was hit by new troubles. Not as great as the back injury but big enough to prevent her from finishing the first round match with Begu in Birmingham. She slipped in the very opening game and hurt her thigh. She went on to play for over a set and a half before finally retiring. 

Bencic said before setting off to defend the Eastbourne title that her leg still hurt a little big and that she has been doing physio therapy the entire day before the Vesnina match. She lost to the Russian in straight sets (two tie breaks) even though she had to set points in the second set. Bencic was not at 100 but wasn't going to just give up on the title.

- I had a frustrating spring and didn't even come to Eastbourne thinking I need to win the title. Injuries happen to everyone. Even girls my age. The back injury was the first or second serious injury I've had. It comes with this job, no matter how careful you are. I'm relaxed because I know I have many years ahead and the only thing that is important now for me is to keep on winning. I don't set goals which need to me reached by a certain moment. 

Bencic was additionally frustrated by not being able to do the grass court season as she planned before Wimbledon. She is now on a 3-match losing run and has just 3 wins on grass court in total. She had 10 of those ahead of the third Grand Slam of the season. 

- The thing that disappointed me is not getting more matches before Wimbledon. I love playing on grass court, I love the ball which bounces high and comes low and fast. That suits my game which is based on fast serve and good return.

After earning a spot in the Olympics with Roland Garros quarterfinal, Pironkova didn't do her best in what is her favorite part of the season. She clearly needed a break after Paris despite not doing great before that. Her first tournament was the one in Birmingham where she managed to reach quarterfinals (lost to Strycova) after earning main draw through qualifiers. 

The Bulgarian hoped to play in Eatbourne as well but in the end obviously concluded that the 8 matches from Birmingham were enough ahead of Wimbledon. She reached semifinals there 6 years ago, which is her top result. Regardless of Pironkova's form, grass court is always something entirely different for her. 

- Wimbledon is definitely my favorite tournament. The grass is the best surface for my game but I've made progress on other surfaces as well - Pironkova said. 

However, Pirnokova crashed our of Wimbledon in the first set the last two seasons. Bencic beat her last year in three sets but the Swiss was doing brilliantly back then. She was bursting with confidence and having no injury struggles. She is now here on a 3-match losing run and is the favorite only on paper at the moment, as No. 8. This will be one of the most interesting matches of the first round, the one definitely worth watching.