Serena Williams’ bid for a record-equalling 24th major title could mean that she will have to play three former Grand Slam champions in a row at the Australian Open.
The 39-year-old is seeded 10th in this year’s draw at Melbourne Park where she won her most recent major trophy back in 2017. Williams will open her campaign against Germany’s Laura Siegemund who reached the quarter-finals of the French Open last year. In her section the American could face Alison Riske in the third round who also has a tricky opener against Anastasia Potapova.
However, for Williams she could face an extremely tough second week should the draw go according to the seeds. In the last 16 she is on a collision course with Aryna Sabalenka who has won three out of the past four tournaments played on the Tour. Then it is possible that she may have to play Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka and Ashleigh Barty in a row to win the title.
2018 champion Osaka faces an array of dangers in her campaign. She will start off against the tricky Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who is a two-time quarter-finalist in Melbourne. Then in her brutal draw, she faces the prospect of potentially playing former top five player Caroline Garcia, another Grand Slam quarter-finalist in the shape of Ons Jabeur and then either Angelique Kerber or Garbine Muguruza. Both of whom are former world No.1 players.
Seeking to become the first home winner in Melbourne for more than 40 years, top seed Barty starts off against Danka Kovinić. During the first week she could play Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round followed by either Anett Kontaveit or Petra Martin. The Australian Open will be only the second competitive tournament Barty has played since February 2020.
Reigning champion Sofia Kenin has a more generous first round encounter after being drawn to play wild card Maddison Inglis. Although she will play either Kaia Kanepi or Anastasija Sevastova in round two in what could be a testing encounter. Donna Vekic is a possible third round opponent followed then by Johanna Konta. Kenin is bidding to become the first female player to defend a Grand Slam title since Serena Williams at Wimbledon in 2017.
Second seed Simona Halep starts against home player Lizette Cabrera is what is a favourable early draw for her. However, she could have to play French Open champion Iga Swiatek in the fourth round. Swiatek starts against Arantxa Rus.
As for notable first round matches, Bianca Andreescu will start her return to competitive tennis against Dr. Mihaela Buzărnescu (who has a Ph.D in Sports Science) in what will be her first match for over a year. Victoria Azarenka will play Jessica Pegula, Elina Svitolina faces Marie Bouzková and Jabeur will lock horns with Andrea Petkovic.
The full draw
Top half
Bottom half
