Wimbledon Women's Preview

WIMBLEDON, England (Ticker) -- Venus Williams has not been the best player on the WTA Tour this season, but she still heads into Wimbledon as the reigning champion. The American won the grasscourt major for the fourth time in her career last season with a victory over Marion Bartoli in the championship.

She entered play at the All England Club a year ago ranked 31st in world and there were many question marks surrounding her after an injury-riddled 2006. But that didn't stop Williams from becoming the lowest-ranked woman to win the event. There are more question marks this season as Williams is now 28 years old and hasn't been much of a presence on the WTA Tour in 2008. If Williams is to claim her seventh major championship she will have to do something she hasn't done all season - reach a final. She is 14-7 in limited action this year and - in her seven events - has reached just one semifinal, doing so in Bangalore where she lost to sister Serena Williams.

Nonetheless, Venus' numbers at Wimbledon are notable. The former No. 1 has is 51-7 all-time at the All England Club and including titles in 2000, 2001, 2005 and last season. Also a finalist in 2002 and 2003, Venus has played in this event each of the last 11 years and has reached at least the quarterfinals on eight occasions. There will be no shortage of competition for her this year. The top seed here is Ana Ivanovic who claimed her first Grand Slam title earlier this month at the French Open. The 20-year-old Serb also reached the Australian Open final in January, but lost to Maria Sharapova.

Sharapova, who won this event as a 17-year-old four years ago, also is expected to return with a vengeance following her disappointing fourth-round loss at Roland Garros. The Russian is 30-3 overall this season with three titles. Two-time champion Serena Williams also is considered a serious contender as she is 25-3 this year with three singles titles.

Second seed Jelena Jankovic, a semifinalist at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros this year, also is expected to make a push toward her first Grand Slam final. The wild card of the event could be Russia's Dinara Safina, who has reached the final of her last three events played, including the French Open. She beat three top-10 players at Roland Garros, including Sharapova and world No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Lindsay Davenport is the 25th seed, but will likely have a hard time contending. The 32-year-old American is in a quarter of the draw that includes Sharapova, Safina and fifth seed Elena Dementieva.