Weeks 3 & 4 - Australian Open, Melbourne, Main Draw - Hard

Andy Parker · Strong Club Player

Weeks 3 & 4 - Australian Open, Melbourne, Main Draw - Hard

Andy Parker · Strong Club Player

Thanks for correcting me - looks like several young Americans coming through now.

It will be interesting to see how Anisimova and Osuigwe and the other youngsters fare - Claire Liu is pretty useful too, though she surprisingly didn't come through qualifying. The Yanks have been through a bot of a lean period lately and must be hoping for some new young stars to show here.

I think Katie B's bit of the draw is particularly interesting - if she comes through against Makarova, she will have a likely second round against Sabalenka, and the winner of that to perhaps face Anisimova, if she beats Nicolescu and Tsurenko, as I think she may do. It's so open this year though - I don't know who other people think are the favourites, but I think you could name maybe around 20 women who have a realistic chance of contesting the final (which is probably double the amount of those with a chance in the men's).

flamingowings · All-time great

There are 11 women in with a chance of becoming no.1 depending on how other results fall and if any of them win the title.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Andy Parker wrote:
Thanks for correcting me - looks like several young Americans coming through now.

It will be interesting to see how Anisimova and Osuigwe and the other youngsters fare - Claire Liu is pretty useful too, though she surprisingly didn't come through qualifying. The Yanks have been through a bot of a lean period lately and must be hoping for some new young stars to show here.

I think Katie B's bit of the draw is particularly interesting - if she comes through against Makarova, she will have a likely second round against Sabalenka, and the winner of that to perhaps face Anisimova, if she beats Nicolescu and Tsurenko, as I think she may do. It's so open this year though - I don't know who other people think are the favourites, but I think you could name maybe around 20 women who have a realistic chance of contesting the final (which is probably double the amount of those with a chance in the men's).

One of my 3 favourites, along with Kerber and Serena. Can see Pliskova and Svitolina getting to the QF given their draws, with probably Bertens and Barty joining them.

Don't really fancy either of last years finalists to do much this year. Would love one of the 18 and younger to have a real breakthrough.

-- Edited by Ace Ventura on Sunday 13th of January 2019 11:26:34 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Go Katie b and Harriet. Great to see it happening for them. Two faves. Making it big. Harriet will have to serve well. And go Hv too :)

wolf · Tennis legend

Boulter striking it very sweetly and is *3-0 up.
Harriet's second serve getting butchered *0-3
Not watching Heather but she's 1-4*

flamingowings · All-time great

KB serving for a bagel!

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

I've got Boulter and Dart on my screens. Not liking the no scoreboard on the Katie match. Harriet has recovered from this sort of position last week, but can't see lightning striking twice.

Looking like Sabalenka for Boulter if she does come through as the Belarusian is also dominating her match.

wolf · Tennis legend

Boulter striking it to within a couple of inches to the baseline every time 6-0
Harriet being completely overpowered unfortunately except for a few backhand winners 0-4*
Heather 1-6

flamingowings · All-time great

Swan watching Harriet (as per her insta)

wolf · Tennis legend

After first 5 games going with serve, Katie gets broken but played an excellent game to break back. Still striking it very well. 6-1 *3-4
Heather 1-6 *1-4
Harriet 0-6 0-2*

wolf · Tennis legend

Bad miss on break point second serve by Makarova.

wolf · Tennis legend

Followed up by an even worse miss on the second break point.

wolf · Tennis legend

Great hold from Katie. 4-4* second set.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

I'm watching Katie and Sabalenka now. Sabalenka 1 game away.