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Wimbledon preview roundtable

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Andy Murray skipped the French Open but appears fully recovered from a back injury.

Andy Murray skipped the French Open but appears fully recovered from a back injury.

PHOTOS: Serena, Sharapova, more at WTA Wimbledon party

Serena Williams seeks her sixth title, which would put her three behind Martina Navratilova.

Serena Williams seeks her sixth title, which would put her three behind Martina Navratilova.

Sloane Stephens reached the third round in her Wimbledon debut last year.

Sloane Stephens reached the third round in her Wimbledon debut last year.

Wertheim: Um ... U.S. resident Maria Sharapova? San Diego's Jelena Jankovic? The rankings say No. 17 Stephens. Momentum might suggest Mattek-Sands, who has done a convincing impersonation of a top-20 player in 2013. I'm curious, though, to see what Keys can do. She's clearly the future and while, like most teens, she lacks experience on grass, her game ought to translate well. It will be interesting to see if the U.S. success in Paris sustains, or whether there will be a regression to the mean.

Wertheim: How do you pick against Serena? The last time she played Wimbledon, she won. The last time she played on grass (the 2012 Olympics), other players were struggling to win games. Yes, Venus isn't there. Yes, she can have an off day. Yes, she can self-sabotage. Yes, a magazine article quoting her making impertinent remarks about a topic du jour (Brazil's class divide? Drones? The Voice?) can provide a distraction. But, realistically, it's her title to lose.

Novak Djokovic has made the semifinals of every major since Wimbledon 2010.

Novak Djokovic has made the semifinals of every major since Wimbledon 2010.

WERTHEIM: Nadal seeded properly; mailbag