Serena Williams has been awarded a wild card for the pre-Wimbledon tournament that gets underway in Eastbourne next week.

The American will make her return to tennis for the first time since winning at Wimbledon last year, joining her sister Venus and 13 of the top 20 in the draw including French Open champion, Li Na.

Big-hitting Serena has been installed as second favourite to regain her crown at Wimbledon this year at 5/1 with Skybet, just behind fellow former champion Maria Sharapova who is a best-priced 9/2 with Boylesports.

In order to give any chance of success at The Championships Serena will be looking for a good run in Eastbourne but the tournament may be more of a chance to gain some fitness rather than the title.

Ekaterina Makarova upset the field last year by staging an unlikely victory and the Russian has shot up the rankings since, from 100 down to 29. Makarova showed she has what it takes on the grass courts last year and should be taken with a possible view to lay for Wimbledon at a current enormous price of 400/1.

Fellow countrywoman, Viktoria Zvonareva will be seeded number 1 for Eastbourne and will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing French Open.

Behind her is Francesca Schiavone.The Italian showed great strength to reach the final at Roland Garros but may be fatigued after her efforts were in vain and grass is not traditionally her strong surface, she exited Wimbledon at the first hurdle last year after winning in Paris.

Samantha Stosur was also dumped out after making the final at ! Roland G arros last year, it may be worth betting on Li Na exiting at the first hurdle this time around. The demands of the clay court have taken their tolls in the past and this year may well be no different.

With a relatively open field in the womens game expect to see some early round shocks at Eastbourne and Wimbledon again this year. Caroline Wozniacki won at Eastbourne only to lose in the first round last year and after a temperamental French Open it is anyones guess as to which side of her well see this time around.

The Williams sisters are never to be bet against when it comes to the grass courts, in the last 11 years there have been only two winners outside the family, Sharapova and shock winner Amelie Mauresmo in 2004 and 2006 respectively.

Venus is 11/1 with betChronicle to win Wimbledon this year which looks a great bet considering her previous success.

Recommended bets:

• Li Na to lose in first round at Wimbledon (no odds available yet)
• Ekaterina Makorava to win Wimbledon (400/1 with VCBet)
• Venus Williams to win Wimbledon (11/1 with betChronicle)