Li, Little Sis, Williamses and 'Ali' Highlight Top 10 WTA Thoughts as Wimbledon 2011

Newly cemented French Open champion Li Na is on a red-hot roll, having reached the finals in each of the year's two grand slams to date. Italian veteran Francesca Schiavone reached her second consecutive French Open final - and despite falling to Na this year - remains a formidable foe for any opponent. Maria Sharapova is back to battling like a championship-caliber prize fighter and both, Venus and Serena Williams, are back in action as the year's third grand slam quickly approaches.

WTA tennis followers everywhere are primed for a fantastic 2011 Wimbledon when the year's most coveted grand slam tournament gets underway on June 20, 2011. Of course, what would the approaching fortnight be without my fun-filled thoughts on many of the recent happenings in the women's game? With that said, let me get started.

1. Lovin' Li
Newly minted French Open champion Li Na struck another chord for veteran players everywhere while also making more history for homeland by becoming the first slam winner in the history of China. The outgoing World No. 4 has the sort of all-court game that could make for another deep run that produces a semifinal or finals appearance at Wimbledon. One thing's for sure, there aren't many more likable players to root for than Li Na.

2. Get 'er Done Sis!
My 'Ëœsister' Francesca Schiavone (just check the pictures) couldn't stop Li Na in order to win her second consecutive French Open Finals title, but she definitely showed that last year's win was no fluke while also cementing her name as one of the most elite WTA players in the world. Now, whether her artistic game translates to a deep run at Wimbledon is another story altogether, but I'm not putting anything past the gritty Schiavone.

3. Sharapova Ali!
She floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee, It's not Muhammad or Laila, It's Maria Ali Okay, okay, so her surname isn't Ali, but Maria Sharapova has more fight in her than just about any player on the WTA Tour not named Serena Williams. Despite clearly not being the player she once was prior to shoulder surgery a couple of years ago, Sharapova can generally beat most opponents with her grit and determination alone. While many of today's up-and-coming WTA players have plenty of physical talent, clearly, not many players in the world have the mental fortitude of Maria Ali -- I mean, Sharapova.

4. Writing Another Chapter
Venus and Serena Williams are back (so are the requisite haters) and apparently ready to write another chapter to their already storied tennis careers when they take to the court at Wimbledon. In spite of not playing for nearly 12 months, I wouldn't rule either sister out of reaching this year's finals '" or bowing out in a stinker due mostly to flat-out rust.

5. Okay, It's One Cheeseburger !
I used to say that talented and still-improving World No. 9 Marion Bartoli was two cheeseburgers away from a grand slam title. Well, the 'Ëœlittle round one that would' has reached the semifinals of three tournaments this year including the French Open while also reaching the finals in two other tournaments. Despite not taking home any hardware this year, it's clear that Bartoli is now a force to be reckoned with '" unless you put a double cheeseburger in front of her that is!

6. Winless Wonder!
While there's not a guy on the face of the planet that doesn't like looking at World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, it's pretty evident to me that her lack of sheer firepower may not allow her to win a grand slam title any time soon, if ever. I think Wozniacki is a fairly spirited player that has enough fight in her to win a slam, but her inability to put away balls that should be going for winners continues to be a huge detriment for the World No.1 'without a slam'. Unless the Danish beauty can improve her ability to increase pace and flatten some balls out, she's going to struggle to beat players that are stronger than she is.

7. Stosur Sell-Out Special
I really like World No. 10 Samantha Stosur and her incomparable kick serve, but I've got to call it like I see it and from where I'm sitting, I think the talented, but enigmatic Stosur is a bit of a choke artist. While I still think she's still capable of winning a grand slam title, Stosur has already blown a couple of real opportunities over the last 12-18 months. If Stosur doesn't get it done soon, she might not ever.

8. Mattek-Sands Livin' Large!
You know, I've changed my mind when it comes to World No. 31 Bethanie Mattek-Sands and her colorful (okay, outlandish) outfits over the years. Where I once saw Mattek-Sands as flat-out goofy, I now see a confident young woman that's not afraid to be different, even at the expense of being mocked. Undoubtedly well-liked, Mattek-Sands has a huge 'Ëœheart' even if she doesn't have all of the physical gifts that some other players have.

9. Two Young Stars on The Rise
I'll keep this short and sweet by saying that World No. 11 Andrea 'Dancin' the Night Away' Petkovic and World No. 8 Petra 'No Kidding' Kvitova both look like they have the goods to possibly deliver on a future grand slam title. Of course, I thought the same thing about Victoria Azarenka a couple of years ago and you see how that worked out!

10. A Look Ahead
Even though I trashed Samantha Stosur earlier, as I said, I do believe she's still got the goods to win a major grand slam title or two before she's done. Stosur should have a decent shot at making a deep run at Wimbledon and her confidence should be brimming after playing well at this week's Eastbourne tournament.

I also like Serena and Venus Williams to do some sort of damage to the field, but predicting how far either will go is a bit of a stretch no matter what anyone says. In addition to Stosur, Sharapova and the Williams sisters, my other top favorites to make serious runs at reaching this year's final are Petra Kvitova, Vera Zvonareva, Caroline Wozniacki and veteran, Daniela Hantuchova.