The unpredictable draw
Always expected the unexpected in the women’s draw. This is perhaps the best way to describe grand slam tennis on the WTA Tour. Over the past two years, no player has won multiple major titles.
12 months ago, only five out of the top 10 seeds in the women’s draw progressed to the fourth round at the Australian Open. An indication of how unpredictable women’s tennis can be with the talent posed by the underdogs and rising stars of the game.
Aryna Sabalenka is a player that can cause a stir. Currently ranked 11th in the world she has already won a WTA title in China this year. Last year, she scored eight wins over top 10 players.
“I have no reason to believe that Sabalenka will not win more than one Grand Slam. Why? I see two things. I see hunger and I see boldness,” former world No.1 Chris Evert said in a conference call.
“Whether that’s fearlessness or what. It’s tied up, the boldness, fearlessness, confidence. That’s her swagger, I see that. Like this girl wants it. You can see it in her eyes. She’s pretty intense.”
Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit believes the openness of the tour has been inspired by Jelena Ostapenko’s run to the 2017 French Open trophy. Kontaveit is one of seven players under the age of 23 that are currently ranked inside the top 20.
‘It is [very open]. I think when Ostapenko won the French and those things happen, it just shows how things happen, anyone could win the tournament,’ she told Metro.co.uk. ‘I think sometimes the generations just change. There’s a lot of girls I’ve played juniors with and now we’re all together again. It is nice.’
Number of top 10 seeds reaching R4 of Australian Open
2018 – five
2017 – six
2016 – five
2015 – six
2014 – seven
2013 – seven
2012 – six
2011 – six
2010 – seven
