WTA week of 1/10; Sydney 500 & Adelaide 250

[ScottleeSV]

Wide open. With Barty being the favorite of course

In theory yes, but when it gets to the 2nd week and she plays players like this - back to back to back - it's not easy for her at this slam. I always used to think (prior to about 2006) that Hewitt would get this slam and he never did.

 

[D-Lite]

 

[D-Lite]

The WTA side of the AO is wide open. Barty is favourite for me, and to others on here it seems. I do wonder if she can rise to the home expectation though even after her Wimbledon win last year. You literally have Muguruza and Kontaveit still in YEC form, Badosa and Krejcikova not letting up after their breakout 2021 seasons, Osaka and Halep back and focused, Swiatek in form looking for a big result, Rybakina looking for her first major SF, and players like Sakkari, Bencic and Azarenka who if in form could go deep.
Of course, we have Fernandez and Raducanu who did so well at the USO, but for now I am not convinced either will go deep necessarily. If Raducanu can get past Stephens, then a 3R against Halep would be ideal for the viewers. Halep would be favourite without a doubt. Fernandez has the more interesting draw - 3R v Kerber and 4R v Sabalenka both defeated at the USO by Fernandez. Sabalenka doesn't look likely to even make the 4R at this point and Kerber played no warm-ups so who is to know where she's at. Interestingly, Sabalenka could play Ann Li in R2 who is playing pretty consistently, then R3 Vondrousova or Samsonova who can both hang with the top players.

 

[romeo8880]

The WTA side of the AO is wide open. Barty is favourite for me, and to others on here it seems. I do wonder if she can rise to the home expectation though even after her Wimbledon win last year. You literally have Muguruza and Kontaveit still in YEC form, Badosa and Krejcikova not letting up after their breakout 2021 seasons, Osaka and Halep back and focused, Swiatek in form looking for a big result, Rybakina looking for her first major SF, and players like Sakkari, Bencic and Azarenka who if in form could go deep.
Of course, we have Fernandez and Raducanu who did so well at the USO, but for now I am not convinced either will go deep necessarily. If Raducanu can get past Stephens, then a 3R against Halep would be ideal for the viewers. Halep would be favourite without a doubt. Fernandez has the more interesting draw - 3R v Kerber and 4R v Sabalenka both defeated at the USO by Fernandez. Sabalenka doesn't look likely to even make the 4R at this point and Kerber played no warm-ups so who is to know where she's at. Interestingly, Sabalenka could play Ann Li in R2 who is playing pretty consistently, then R3 Vondrousova or Samsonova who can both hang with the top players.

Don’t forget Keys! She was on fire this week

 

[Gazelle]

Wow Badosa such power from both wings.

 

[PeteD]

 

[Mark-Touch]

Quck poll, who'll win?

me: Krejcikova

Close but no cigar.

I'm in favor of Badosa.

Good call Mark!

That was a great match. Both Either of these could win the Aussie Open IMO. Wouldn't be a surprise in either case.

FTFY.

 

[volleyandfun]

Close but no cigar.
..

Good call Mark!
...

So nice when someone gives himself a pat on the shoulder

 

[Harry_Wild]

Let Celebrate, huh?

 

[Tennisfan339]

WTA Sydney was so interesting this year!
Krejcikova's matches vs Kontaveit and Badosa were BOLD. Suspense, high quality, really enjoyable. Krejcikova/Kontaveit was epic, with 7 match points for the Estonian! Will remain one of the matches of 2022 no matter what.
There is no way these 3 (and Barty) won't be in the top-10 at the end of this year if they keep up this level of play.

 

[D-Lite]

WTA Sydney was so interesting this year!
Krejcikova's matches vs Kontaveit and Badosa were BOLD. Suspense, high quality, really enjoyable. Krejcikova/Kontaveit was epic, with 7 match points for the Estonian! Will remain one of the matches of 2022 no matter what.
There is no way these 3 (and Barty) won't be in the top-10 at the end of this year if they keep up this level of play.

It's come at the right time that's for sure. I'm really hopeful they (Kontaveit, Badosa and Krejcikova) can keep it up. It also seems Muguruza has found a sweet spot of consistency too, even though I still expect her to have significant ups and downs. Add in consistent play from the likes of Swiatek, Jabeur, Sakkari, Gauff, Rybakina, and now a returning Osaka (albeit with question marks) and you have an exciting tour that's for sure. The AO could be anyone's!