Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek will be marked as the toughest competitors. (HT)
In a much-anticipated kickoff to the Australian Open 2024, the women's draw was unveiled in Melbourne this Thursday, setting the stage for a thrilling competition that promises to showcase extraordinary tennis skills. The first round, slated to commence on Sunday, January 14, is expected to feature some high-stakes matches, including a riveting rematch between World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and former champion Sofia Kenin, reminiscent of their 2020 Roland Garros final clash.
Adding to the excitement, fans will witness the return of ex-Australian Open champions Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber, both making their Grand Slam comebacks following maternity leaves. Kenin, currently holding the 38th rank globally, faces a formidable challenge against Swiatek, who clinched the title in 2020 and triumphed over Kenin in the aforementioned Roland Garros final.
The winner of the Swiatek-Kenin duel will advance to face either 2016 Australian Open champion Kerber or 2022 finalist Danielle Collins in the second round. Notably, Swiatek succumbed to Collins in the 2022 semifinals, while Kerber is set to make her Grand Slam return since the 2022 Wimbledon.
The third seed, Elena Rybakina, runner-up from the previous year, is set to clash with former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in a challenging first-round encounter. Having lost in all three prior encounters against Rybakina, Pliskova faces a tough hurdle. Meanwhile, the fifth-seeded Jessica Pegula, who reached the quarterfinals last year, will meet a qualifier in her opening match.
Assuming the seedings hold, Pegula might face the 12th-seeded rising Chinese star Zheng Qinwen in the Round of 16. Additionally, the first-round matchup between 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu and Shelby Rogers promises to be a captivating affair. Fourth seed Coco Gauff is set to kick off her campaign against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, with a potential Round of 16 clash against the winner of the encounter between 16th seed Caroline Garcia and two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka.
Returning to Melbourne for the first time since 2020, 2018 champion Caroline Wozniacki will square off against last year's semi finalist Magda Linette in the opening round. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, holding the No. 2 seed, will commence her title defense against a qualifier. Notably, Sabalenka held the World No. 1 ranking for eight weeks last year. Sixth-seeded Ons Jabuer is also set to face a qualifier in the opening round, potentially meeting the 2023 WTA Newcomer of the Year Mirra Andreeva in the second round. A compelling Round of 16 encounter could await Jabuer against the ninth-seeded Barbora Krejcikova.
