By Erik Gudris | Friday, January 16, 2015

 

Serena Williams will seek her sixth Australian Open title knowing that her top ranking may be up for grabs.

Photo: Getty Images

Serena Williams enters this year's Australian Open seeking her 19th Grand Slam singles title. But despite having won the event five times, this could be the World's No. 1 toughest test yet down under.

ATP: Federer Handed Tricky Draw in Melbourne

Serena's Section:

Though Williams will go after her 19th major title, nothing is certain for the 33-year-old who will likely feel the pressure of trying to go after yet another record and knowing her No. 1 ranking is also not for certain. After some scratchy, sluggish play at the Hopman Cup, the World No. 1 will welcome her early rounds that should allow her to fine tune her game in the first week. Her level of opponent goes up a notch in the third round where she could possibly face testy No. 15 seed Jelena Jankovic or No. 24 seed Garbine Muguruza of Spain who knocked Williams out of Paris last year.

No. 19 seed Alize Cornet of France, who beat Williams twice last year, lurks in this section. But its good friend and No. 8 seed Caroline Wozniacki who awaits as Williams' likely quarterfinal foe. Despite her loss to Williams in the US Open final, the Dane proved in Singapore she has what it takes to get her first ever win over her friend. That is if Wozniacki's tender wrist holds up long enough to get to the final eight. As long as Williams improves during the first week, this match should be hers for the taking.

Finally, the first round match everyone will watch will be between two women who contested an AO semifinal only a few years ago. Former two-time champion Victoria Azarenka will meet Sloane Stephens for the third year in a row down under. This is a must-win match for both, not only for this event, but for their confidence in this new season.

Pick: Williams

First Round Match to Watch: Azarenka v. Stephens

Kvitova's Section

No. 4 seed Petra Kvitova, fresh off winning Sydney, will look to carry her momentum deep into the fortnight. So long as the big-hitting Czech can keep her errors down and endure the often extreme heat, she should get through early foes including a pair of Aussies in Sam Stosur or Casey Dellacqua.

No. 6 seed Agnieszka Radwanska, now under the tutelage of tennis icon Martina Navratilova, once again goes after her first Grand Slam title. The counterpuncher Kurumi Nara of Japan will be a tough first rounder for the Polish star. Yet, "Aga" should be wary two American veterans in her section.

No. 30 seed Varvara Lepchenko could use her lefty hook to punch past Radwanska. Then's there No. 18 seed Venus Williams. Having won her 46th career title in Auckland, Williams is looking prime to make a good run this year. If Williams finds her big serve often, she could make life very difficult for whomever she meets.

Many would like to see a quarterfinal showdown between Venus and Kvitova. Their match at Wimbledon was one of the best all last year. If both women do meet and play at a high quality, Melbourne fans could be treated to another classic.

Pick: Kvitova

First Round Match to Watch: Stosur v. Niculescu

Halep's Section:

Romania's Simona Halep keeps getting closer to not only the top ranking but also her maiden Grand Slam title. Can she take the next step in Australia and reach another Grand Slam final?

The No. 3 seed Halep was awarded with a kind draw at least in the early rounds. She may have to watch out for the always streaky No. 28 seed Sabine Lisicki. No. 14 seed Sara Errani is here too, but since this is not clay, the edge goes to Halep should they meet.

No. 5 seed Ana Ivanovic started out 2014 with a bang by beating Serena Williams in Melbourne last year. But now the pressure is on Ivanovic to go deeper this year in the draw. Ivanovic, who will enjoy massive local crowd support, will have to be careful should she meet No. 22 seed Karolina Pliskova. The big-serving Czech bounced Ivanovic out of the US Open and has the game to do it again.

Even though her section is filled with power hitters, Halep has the poise, craft and confidence to handle them all. This seems like Halep's moment to cement herself as permanent fixture of the WTA's new "big four".

Pick: Halep

First Round Match to Watch: Lisicki v. Mladenovic

Sharapova's Section:

Former champion and No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova could find herself at No. 1 in the world depending on how results play out in Melbourne. Right now, her eyes are on winning her second Australian Open title. She enters having won Brisbane and is full of confidence right now.

Safe knowing she won't have to face nemesis Serena Williams until perhaps the final, Sharapova should crunch through her early rounds. A possible fourth round encounter with No. 16 seed Lucie Safarova could be the Russian's first real test.

Many eyes, including from her devoted "Genie's Army" will be No. 7 seed Eugenie Bouchard of Canada. Her breakthrough semifinal run last year propelled Bouchard into tennis superstardom. But can she handle the increased expectations? Probably so. Her early rounds should set her up for a possible meeting with No. 9 seed Angelique Kerber, who could play spoiler to the "dream" quarterfinal.

That, of course, would be between Bouchard and Sharapova. Though the Russian has won all three previous meetings, the hard court in Melbourne could be an equalizing factor. The winner of this match could just win the whole thing.

While many still think Serena is the one to beat, Sharapova must sense the opportunity awaiting her. If Sharapova takes advantage of her draw, not only could she be number one in the rankings, but the only one left standing on the final Saturday.

Pick: Sharapova

First Round Match to Watch: Garcia v. Kuznetsova

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Semifinals: Kvitova d. Serena; Sharapova d. Halep

Final: Sharapova d. Kvitova