Top two out to break ducks
Both Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki have yet to win a grand slam
● With no dominant force emerging during Serena Williams’ pregnancy and maternity leave in 2017, who, if anyone, will take up the mantle this season?
That’s the question as the Australian
Open gets under way this week.
Nigel Sears, who previously coached Ana Ivanovic and now coaches Russian left-hander Ekaterina Makarova, believes there are some incredible players who could make a name for themselves this year.
Sears, father-in-law of Andy Murray, told The Tennis Podcast how wide open the field is and is excited for the campaign ahead.
The established guard
Simona Halep, the No 1 seed at the Australian Open, meanwhile, shouldn’t need to prove a point given she tops the world rankings. But the validity of her standing without a major to her name weighs heavily on her.
A couple of weeks ahead of the Aussie Open and one bookmaker had Halep as low as sixth favourite to win the title. Those odds have come in, but until she gets a first slam under her belt, doubters will not go away.
Halep thrives on self-belief. If she can rid herself of her demons and stay focused in the present, she can break her duck.
Venus Williams, who doesn’t dwell on her age — now 37 and a half years old — could become the oldest player, male or female, to win a major in the Open era if she adds to her seven grand slam titles this season.
Danish former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, the second seed after her resurgence in 2017 when she reached eight finals, is riding high.
She lost in the Auckland Classic final last weekend to Germany’s Julia Goerges, but said she felt great heading to Melbourne as she too looks to a slam breakthrough.
Third-seed Garbine Muguruza can be classed as an established force with two grand slams.
Her Wimbledon success put to bed those who wondered whether her French Open triumph in 2016 would be a flash in the pan.
The point to prove
Love her or loathe her, Maria Sharapova, who is returning to the scene of the slam that led to her failed drugs test two years ago, has the experience, resolve and status to make her presence felt on the circuit again.
The 30-year-old would love nothing more than to respond to her critics and haters by winning a sixth grand slam.
Angelique Kerber has an altogether different reason to wag a finger at her critics. She had a season to forget in 2017. Starting as world No 1 she finished No 22, without a title and didn’t bother picking up a racket for five weeks when the tour was finished.
The young and unimpressionable
Jelena Ostapenko’s stunning French Open success last year was a breath of fresh air for the women’s game. The Latvian’s fearless approach will draw in the crowds, but her unpredictability could result in a fair few early exits.
The explosive talent
New Yorker Coco Vandeweghe’s on-court behaviour divides opinion. Her brash exterior isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but she’s beginning to build a sustainable style that is reaping rewards on the court.
That in part is largely to do with the connection she has with coach Pat Cash. He is the perfect match for the unpredictable, fiery 25-year-old.
Aside from the French Open, Vandeweghe was a strong performer at last year’s slams, reaching the semifinals in Melbourne and Flushing Meadows and the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
It would be of no surprise if she went one step further. — © The Daily Telegraph, London
Angelique Kerber started as world No 1 last season and finished No 22