A Grand Slam event without Serena Williams tends to end with a winner who has flown in from left field—just ask Jelena Ostapenko and Sloane Stephens. Will we see a third Down Under? The only thing we know about this Australian Open on the women’s side is that, with Serena on the mend, an opportunity like this might not come along again for a while.
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Speaking of opportunities, is this the fortnight when Simona Halep finally wins her first major? The stars would seem to be aligning: She’s No. 1, she won her first tournament of the year, in Shenzhen, and, as noted above, she doesn’t have Serena to deal with. But there are reasons to continue to be skeptical of Halep’s chances. She lost early in Australia the last two years, and even without a Williams in her way, her draw is hardly obstacle-free. She could face Petra Kvitova in the third round, and either Karolina Pliskova or Johanna Konta in the quarterfinals. If either of the long and strong Czechs are on, they might be favored to beat Halep; and Konta is the player who knocked her out of Wimbledon last summer.
Player of Interest: Ash Barty. The Aussie had a career year in 2018, and is seeded No. 18; can she show off her best at home? She could face Camila Giorgi, who has been on a tear in Sydney, in the second round.
Question Mark: Konta. The Brit, who was born in Australia, has played some of her best tennis in Melbourne, reaching the semis and quarters. But she hasn’t been at her best since Wimbledon, and she was forced to retire with a hip injury in Brisbane.
Semifinalist: Pliskova
