Iga Swiatek could face a few obstacles during the opening week of the Australian Open after being handed what could be a testing draw.
The world No.1 is already a three-time Grand Slam champion but is yet to reach the final at Melbourne Park so far in her career. Swiatek will begin her campaign against Germany’s Jule Niemeier who stunned the Tour last summer by reaching the quarter-finals of Wimbledon at the age of 22. It is the second consecutive major event where the two players have faced each other. At the US Open Swiatek battled back from a set down to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-0, in the fourth round.
Later in the draw, Swiatek is projected to play either Bianca Andreescu or 25th seed Marie Bouzkova in the third round, followed by a clash with former finalist Danielle Collins. Also in her section is Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina who is another player she could face in the fourth round.
The Pole started 2023 by winning three out of her four singles matches played at the United Cup with her only defeat being to Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals. She then withdrew from this week’s Adelaide International due to a shoulder issue.
“I felt kind of helpless, because physically and mentally I wasn’t able to show up even, and problem solve,” Swiatek said after her first loss of the season.
“I feel like I’m going to be more fresh before the Australian Open.”
In the other section of the draw, Ons Jabeur will start against Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek. The world No.2 is seeking to reach her third consecutive Grand Slam final after Wimbledon and the US Open but she is yet to win a major trophy in her career. In Jabeur’s section of the draw, she could play Kaia Kanepi in the third round who is always a danger to the big names. Kanepi has recorded 15 wins over top 10 players in her career with 10 of those being at Grand Slam events. Beatriz Haddad Maia and Liudmila Samsonova are potential fourth round opponents.
“I’m doing everything possible to win a Grand Slam. For me, I’m just going to go for it. This year, 2023, is about ‘just be free’ and play my game on the court,” Jabeur told reporters in Adelaide.
Elsewhere, third seed Pegula will play Jaqueline Cristian in her first round match, WTA Finals champion Carline Garcia faces a qualifier and Maria Sakkari will play Yuan Yue.
Coco Gauff, who recently won the ASB Classic, could face an early test against Kateřina Siniaková who is currently ranked No.1 in the women’s doubles. Then in the second round, she could play 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu who is still recovering from an ankle injury.
One of the most notable first round matches will be between two former Australian Open champions. Two-time winner Victoria Azarenka has been drawn against 2020 champion Sofia Kenin. The two are level at 1-1 in their head-to-head but fans will be hoping their upcoming encounter will be more competitive than the last time they met. At the 2020 Italian Open Azarenka stormed to a 6-0, 6-0, win in just 61 minutes.
Azarenka and Kenin are the only former champions in this year’s women’s draws. Past winners Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber are on maternity leave. Meanwhile, last year’s champion Ash Barty has retired from the sport and is also pregnant.
The full draw can be viewed HERE.
