Women to watch out for at Wimbledon

A look at the leading contenders for the women's title at Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam tournament of the season:

The defending champion will be firmly in the spotlight as she returns to Grand Slam action for the first time since defeating Vera Zvonareva in the Wimbledon final last year. After 12 months out of action due to a life-threatening blood clot and a serious foot injury, it would be a remarkable, if not entirely surprising, story if the World No. 26, seeded 7th, can complete a hat-trick of Wimbledon titles. And, the odds at the All England Club are always in her favour.

She has won 37 career titles along with $32,773,004 in prize money.

Serena's best finish here has been as a champion in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010.

The five-time Wimbledon champion returns to the All England Club with questions over her form and fitness after a lengthy injury lay-off. Written off by many after five months out with abdominal and hip injuries suffered at the Australian Open, she returned at Eastbourne, where victories over Ana Ivanovic and Andrea Petkovic in the opening two rounds suggested she should make a strong challenge for a sixth Wimbledon title. The World No.33, seeded a lowly 24, may in fact again get the biggest challenge only from sister Serena.

She has won 43 career titles along with $27,734,851 in prize money.

Venus' best finish here has been as a champion in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008.

The Russian has clawed her way back up the world rankings to sixth after reaching the French Open semi-finals where she suffered a frustrating defeat against eventual champion Li Na. She believes that her big-hitting shots allied to the fact that for once she is injury-free could allow her to go deep into the tournament that marked her entry into big league seven years ago.

She has won 23 career titles along with $15,150,304 in prize money.

Sharapova's best finish here has been as a champion in 2004.

The World No. 4 capped a superb year by becoming the first Chinese winner of a Grand Slam when she defeated Francesca Schiavone in the French Open final. That triumph in Paris came hot on the heels of her Australian Open final defeat against Kim Clijsters in January. She should now improve on two last eight appearances at the All England Club.

She has won 5 career titles along with $6,444,632 in prize money.

Li's best finish here has been as a quarter-finalist in 2006, 2010.

The former Junior Wimbledon champion has consolidated her world number one ranking this year with tournament wins at Dubai, Indian Wells and Charleston. However, doubts remain about the Dane's temperament after she flopped again in the Grand Slams with a semi-final loss in Australia followed by a disappointing third round defeat against Daniela Huntuchova at the French Open. Only a maiden a Grand Slam win will silence her detractors.

She has won 15 career titles along with $9,765,775 in prize money.

Wozniacki's best finish here has been a 4th round appearance in 2009, 2010.

The World No. 3 will be keen to go one better than last year's Wimbledon campaign, which ended in a heartbreaking defeat to Serena Williams after a surprise run to the final. Her form this year suggests a repeat appearance on the final Saturday is possible as she also reached the last four at the Australian Open and defeated Serena at Eastbourne this week.

She has won 11 career titles along with $11,046,691 in prize money.

Zvonareva's best finish here has been as the runner-up in 2010.