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Wimbledon 2017 predictions

REUTERS/Adam Davy / Action Images

Will Roger Federer continue to laugh in the face of Father Time and win a record eighth Wimbledon crown? Will Petra Kvitova's remarkable comeback culminate in a third title at the All England Club? theScore's esteemed tennis writers, Michaels Chandler and Amato, are here to help handicap the sport's most famous tournament.

Here are our predictions for Wimbledon:

Men's champ

Amato: Roger Federer

Federer took it easy during the clay-court season and skipped the French Open in favor of entering Wimbledon rested. That should leave the 35-year-old refreshed for another lengthy run at the All England Club, and after last year's semifinal finish, as well as his 18th major earlier this year, there should be little doubt Federer has one more Wimbledon title left in him. Would you bet against him?

Chandler: Roger Federer

A pick that is equal parts stylish and astute, Federer won the last Slam he entered (the Aussie) and the last tournament he played (Halle), and with the likes of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray struggling of late, a 19th Grand Slam is in the cards for the Swiss legend.

Women's champ

Chandler: Petra Kvitova

Six months after sustaining career-threatening stab wounds to her left hand while fending off a home invader, Kvitova, 27, is back and searching for a third Wimbledon crown. And despite pulling out of the Eastbourne tuneup with an abdominal concern, the aggressive Czech left-hander will out-serve her opponents on the way to another SW19 conquest.

Amato: Caroline Wozniacki

The former world No.1 still hasn't been able to capture a major, and many feel she never will at this point. But Wozniacki appears to be regaining her form. After making it past the fourth round in a Grand Slam just once from 2013-15, Wozniacki has reached at least the quarterfinals in two of her last three majors. She is also coming into Wimbledon in fine form after a finals run at Eastbourne. With Serena Williams not participating, the women's draw is wide open, and the pressure of winning a major doesn't hover over Wozniacki like it once did. She should be able to finally capitalize and silence her critics. Better late than never.

Men's runner-up

Amato: Stan Wawrinka

A victory at Wimbledon would give Wawrinka arguably the quietest career Grand Slam ever. That's unlikely to happen on a grass surface that's never suited him, but Wawrinka has been known to rise to the occasion and come out of nowhere to steal majors. His half of the draw appears daunting at first glance, but looks can be deceiving. Murray is struggling and seems far less than 100 percent, while Nadal hasn't been past the fourth round at Wimbledon since 2011. It could be a perfect opportunity for Stan to break through at the All England Club.

Chandler: Rafael Nadal

Despite his aforementioned struggles at Wimbledon, and with knees not suited for the rigors of grass, Nadal's shift to aggressive tennis, as witnessed at Roland Garros, will guide the Spaniard to another finals clash with Federer.

Women's runner-up

Chandler: Karolina Pliskova

It will be an all-Czech final, with third-seeded serving specialist Pliskova overcoming a horrid record at Wimbledon (four consecutive second-round exits) to make a second Slam final. While grass may not be the 25-year-old's favorite surface, it caters to her power and strong serve, and women's tennis is nothing if not unpredictable.

Amato: Petra Kvitova

Kvitova made her return at the French Open just over a month ago, but any rust appears to be gone. She rolls into Wimbledon fresh off a grass-court victory in Birmingham, and will use that momentum to propel her to another Wimbledon final. Kvitova's won the tournament twice before and shouldn't be underestimated simply because she was sidelined for much of the season.

Men's dark horse

Amato: Tomas Berdych

Berdych has slid all the way down to 14th in the world, but he's proven to be a tough out at Wimbledon. He was a finalist in 2010, and made the semis a year ago. Dominic Thiem and Djokovic would be roadblocks to a repeat semifinal appearance, but getting past those two isn't inconceivable. Djokovic has looked lost at times over the past year, and Thiem isn't strong on grass. Stranger things have happened.

Chandler: Mischa Zverev

Brother Alexander may be the next star of men's tennis, but 27th-seeded Mischa has the tools to excel on grass. With a serve-and-volley game well-suited to the All England Club, the Moscow-born German could give Federer fits in the third round.

Women's dark horse

Chandler: Jelena Ostapenko

It feels strange characterizing the French Open champ as a dark horse, but the 20-year-old Latvian right-hander fits the profile. She arrives at the All England Club seeded 13th, without much of a grass-court resume at the pro level. Ostapenko has had past success on grass, though, having won the 2014 Wimbledon girls' title.

Amato: Lauren Davis

Davis attained a career-high world ranking of 26th in May and claimed her first WTA title earlier this year in Auckland. She reached the third round at Wimbledon in 2014, and with a break or two, could go beyond that this time around. Davis also has a pair of victories over top-10 players to her credit, so the American is certainly capable of an upset.

Bold prediction

Amato: Murray doesn't make it past the quarters​

It's something that hasn't happened to Murray at Wimbledon since 2007, but this season hasn't been kind to the world No. 1. Murray fought an illness earlier this year and was seen grimacing during a practice session Friday. Players like Nick Kyrgios and Lucas Pouille have undoubtedly taken notice, and could pull off a shocker.

Chandler: El Shapo makes Week 2

Canadian stud Denis Shapovalov will see off Jerzy Janowicz and Lucas Pouille, before besting a temperamental Kyrgios to book a fourth-round date with Murray.

Match we most want to see

Chandler: Federer vs. Nadal, finals

Hardly an obscure pick, but any opportunity to watch these two behemoths vie for a Slam at this juncture in their celebrated careers is a welcome slap in the face to Father Time.

Amato: Juan Martin del Potro vs. Novak Djokovic, third round

It's rare to see two players of this caliber meet so early in a major, but with Del Potro's ranking still down, it should be an early treat for fans. Djokovic and Del Potro have played two compelling three-set matches this year, at Acapulco and Indian Wells, and if they run into each other in the same spot at Wimbledon, it's going to be must-see TV.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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