HOW THE LEADING WOMEN’S CONTENDERS SHAPE UP FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN:
IGA SWIATEK (POL)
Age: 21
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US15,119,452
Career titles: 11
Grand slam titles: 3 (French Open 2020, 2022; US Open 2022)
Australian Open win-loss report: 12-4
Best Australian Open end result: semi-finalist 2022
The world No.1 had been a sizzling favorite to assert the third leg of a profession grand slam earlier than struggling a straight-sets mauling by the hands of Jessica Pegula on the United Cup then withdrawing from Adelaide with a shoulder grievance. Will take some stopping if absolutely match.
ONS JABEUR (TUN)
Age: 28
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US9,228,066
Career titles: 3
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 6-5
Best Australian Open end result: quarter-finalist 2020
The first Arab and African lady to make grand slam singles finals achieved the feat back-to-back at Wimbledon and the US Open final yr to spectacularly announce her arrival as a real main drive. Seeded to succeed in her first remaining at Melbourne Park.
JESSICA PEGULA (USA)
Age: 28
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US6,939,006
Career titles: 2
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 8-3
Best Australian Open outcomes: quarter-finalist 2021, 2022
The most improved participant in tennis fired a warning to her Open rivals with that thumping win over Swiatek. Has proven a liking for the Melbourne Park courts with deep runs the previous two years. It took eventual champion Ash Barty to oust her final time round.
CAROLINE GARCIA (FRA)
Age: 29
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US15,352,991
Career titles: 11
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 12-11
Best Australian Open end result: fourth spherical 2018
The French veteran loved a resurgent 2022 season, topped with title glory on the prestigious WTA Finals in November. Has but to ship in Melbourne and stays one of the crucial enigmatic gamers on tour.
ARYNA SABALENKA (BLR)
Age: 24
Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US12,302,010
Career titles: 11
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 8-5
Best Australian Open outcomes: fourth spherical 2021, 2022
The big-hitting Belarusian has by no means seemed higher positioned to interrupt by for her maiden grand slam crown after reaching the semi-finals of the US Open, shedding to Garcia within the remaining of the season-ending championship and beginning 2023 in type with title success in Adelaide.
COCO GAUFF (USA)
Age: 18
Ranking: 7
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US5,581,091
Career titles: 4
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 4-3
Best Australian Open end result: fourth spherical 2020
Long burdened with the tag of ‘the subsequent Serena Williams’, the American prodigy made her first grand slam remaining final yr in Paris and firmed in Open betting with title success at her season-opening occasion in Auckland.
BEST OUTSIDER
MADISON KEYS (USA)
Age: 27
Ranking: 10
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US15,322,687
Career titles: 6
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 25-9
Best Australian Open outcomes: semi-finalist 2015, 2022
The in-form American was unbeaten in serving to Team USA to the inaugural United Cup title and has already confirmed her grand slam credentials with a cost to the 2017 US Open remaining. Lost to eventual winners Barty and Serena Williams in two semi-finals in Melbourne. Neither are right here this yr.
BEST AUSSIE HOPE
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC
Age: 29
Ranking: 35
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US5,650,758
Career titles: 0
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 4-8
Best Australian Open outcomes: second spherical 2014, 2015, 2020, 2021
No longer an ideal under-achiever however a triple grand slam quarter-finalist after reaching the final eight in three of her previous six majors, the Croatian-born expertise might want to overcome a horror draw and horrible report at Melbourne Park to go deep. But is greater than succesful.
