Top Aussie women to watch at the Australian Open

The Australian women haven't made as many headlines as some of the men (especially not negative news), but that doesn't mean they are any less likely to cause a raucous in Melbourne next week. For some, this Australian Open will be their first and new talent is always exciting to watch. For others, walking out into the Australian heat is just another day on the job and their experience may propel them farther than ever.

Here are the homegrown WTA stars that stand a chance:

1

Age: 32

Ranking: No. 21

Best Australian Open: 2010, round of 16

As a one-time Grand Slam winner, Stosur is always one to watch in any draw. In 2010, she won the US Open, reached the final of the French Open and enjoyed her best run at the Australian Open. Though she hasn't replicated those results since, last year she was a semifinalist at both Roland Garros and Madrid, and a finalist in Prague.

So far, it appears that the leading Australian woman has no plans of slowing down and there's no reason another fourth round run isn't in her.

2

Age: 22

Ranking: 25

Best Australian Open: 2016, round of 16

The young Aussie has had wins against Top 10 players in the past, such as Angelique Kerber, Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova. It took her a few years to crack the Top 50, but Gavrilova looks like she's here to stay. She ended her career-best 2016 season with a final in Moscow.

Last year, the Russian native became an Australian citizen, so expect the fans to support her with passion. She failed to defend her Hopman Cup trophy (with Nick Kyrgios) and has scored just one win in 2017 (in Sydney), but as a local favorite and seeded player for the first time in Melbourne, she'll be a contender for week two.

3

Age: 20

Ranking: No. 232

Best Australian Open: N/A

After walking away from the game in 2014, Barty has had a slow return to the game thanks to injuries last year. Things are looking up as she will benefit from a wildcard in singles and doubles next week. Last year, she reached the quarterfinals of Nottingham and Taipei, as well as the semifinals of Eastbourne. It was her best season playing on the WTA tour and she's looking to carry that momentum into the new season.

She has yet to win a match in Melbourne (having fallen in the first round three times), but she pushed world No. 1 Angelique Kerber to three sets last week in Brisbane. The three-time Grand Slam doubles finalist will also appear in the doubles draw (with her old partner, Casey Dellacqua).

4

Age: 16

World ranking: No. 270

Best Australian Open: N/A

At just 16 years old, Aiava has the odds against her, but she'll draw the crowds. In her Grand Slam debut, she will become the first person born in the 21st century to be compete in a major. By sweeping through the qualifying draw in Brisbane and winning her first round over Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Aiva became the first WTA player born in the year 2000 to win a main draw match.

The teenager has proven she's got the game to compete in high pressure moments against top-billed professional talent, and could end up being a dark horse in the draw. Crazier things have happened on the blue courts of Melbourne.

Other Australian women to cast your eyes on include wildcard entries No. 187-ranked Arina Rodionova and No. 217 Lizette Carbrera, and Australian Open wildcard playoff winner Jaimee Fourlis .

Check out the Aussie men preview here.

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