Prefix in brackets denotes seeding.

(1) Martina Hingis. Age: 18.
The Swiss miss displayed a surprising side to her temperament in the recent French Open final, losing her cool on her way to a defeat against Graf. But the world number one and 1997 champion will still be the one to beat.

(2) Steffi Graf. 30.
Back to her best after her stunning come-from-behind win against Hingis at Roland Garros earlier this month, and now a serious threat to win her eighth All-England title, the last of which was three years ago.

(3) Lindsay Davenport. 23.
Hingis' victory in Australia and runner-up berth at Roland Garros has knocked the American off top spot. Needs an improvement on previous best at Wimbledon - a quarter-finalist twice - if she is to have any chance of regaining number one ranking.

(4) Monica Seles. 25.
Beaten semi-finalist in both Australia and France, but with grass not her favourite surface, the American will do well to reach the last four at Wimbledon - a feat she has only managed once back in 1992 when she was runner-up.

(5) Jana Novotna. 30.
Became the darling of the centre-court 12 months ago when she finally won the title at her 13th attempt and after two previous final defeats. Having pulled out of Eastbourne this week through injury, will be lacking essential grass court practice, ruining her build-up and hopes of retaining her crown.

(6) Venus Williams. Turns 19 on June 17.
Possesses one of the best, and most powerful, all-round games on the women's circuit, but has only reached one Grand Slam final in her short career to date when she was runner-up in the US Open in 1997. A quarter-finalist last year - losing to winner Jana Novotna - the American should at least equal that this time.

(7) Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario. 27.
A consistent performer, the three-times French Open champion has the game for all surfaces, which led to her being runner-up in both 1995 and '96 to Graf. But Wimbledon still eludes the Spaniard, who will be playing in her 13th All-England Championships.

(8) Nathalie Tauziat. 31.
Has come to love grass, although last year's beaten finalist lost her long and proud unbeaten record at Edgbaston at the weekend when defeated in the final. But given her highest seeding for Wimbledon, will be looking to the semi-finals at least.

(9) Mary Pierce. 24.
Lacks the serve-and-volley game to take the title, underlined by the fact the Canadian-born Frenchwoman has been seeded on her previous four appearances, but with her best showing being in 1996 when she was a quarter-finalist.

(10) Serena Williams. 17.
The younger sister of Venus has quickly risen through the rankings. Injury forced her out of the third round last year when close to victory, so sights will be set high 12 months on, especially given the sisterly rivalry.

(11) Julie Halard-Decugis. 28.
Now a career high in the rankings at 11 after victory at Edgbaston, the Frenchwoman has not played at Wimbledon since 1995, with her previous three appearances all ending in first round defeats. Best Grand Slam showing has been the quarter-finals of both the Australian and French in 1993 and '94 respectively.

(12) Amanda Coetzer. 27.
Formerly a semi-finalist in both Australia and France in 1997 and a quarter-finalist last year in the US, the South African lacks a true grass court game, with her best performance being in '94 when she reached the fourth round. Four second round exits have since followed.

(13) Sandrine Testud. 27.
Has progressively improved over the last nine years at Wimbledon, having reached the fourth round on her last two visits. Twice a quarter-finalist, however, in Australia last year and the US Open the year before.

(14) Barbara Schett. 23.
The former Australian Open junior runner-up has crashed out of Wimbledon at the second round stage on the last three occasions. Now seeded, will be aiming for her best performance on grass.

(15) Dominque van Roost. 26.
Broke into the top 10 last year, although has since slipped just outside despite consistent performances in the Grand Slams. The Belgian reached the last eight in Australia in January, and was in the fourth round of Wimbledon 12 months ago.