Serena Williams’ absence has created what feels like something of a power vacuum at the top of the WTA.
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Major titles: None. Best: – French Open finalist (’14).
“I know him reasonably well”, Murray said.
(6) Petra Kvitova has been struggling with gastrointestinal illness and could well be an early casualty as she’s been in Australia for the past three years.
It looks like the American will again need to compete at a major event without being fully healthy. “I haven’t played for a few weeks”, she said.
In the women’s draw, defending champion Williams faces a tricky first-round opponent in world number 35 Giorgi when she begins her quest for a seventh Australian Open crown.
Can anyone stop “stratospheric” Djokovic? .
In the women’s draw, British number one Johanna Konta has a plum tie against Venus Williams, while Heather Watson is up against Hungary’s Timea Babos.
He even used the term “stratospheric” to describe Djokovic’s level. He lost in the final to Djokovic at the only tournament he’s played so far this year in Doha.
Scarred by four fruitless trips to the final, two-time grand slam champion Murray will hope for “fifth time lucky” if he reaches the final.
The 21-time grand slam champion – a six-time victor at Melbourne Park – retired hurt against Jarmila Wolfe at the Hopman Cup on January 6.
Murray, like many of his rivals, has a lop-sided record against Djokovic, losing nine of their last 10 games.
Will Nadal pose a threat? . Then one could argue he is the man to beat.
Murray would have been eager to avoid a Spaniard in the last eight but it was Rafael Nadal’s name, not Ferrer’s, he may have dreaded most. He is, too, positioning himself more aggressively on the baseline. “She’s got to be one of the two or three favorites for winning the Australian Open”. He was placed in a quarter with several heavy hitters, including 2014 Australian Open champ Stan Wawrinka.
Wawrinka is projected to face big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the fourth round, while Nadal, who won the Australian title only once in 2009, could take on South African Kevin Anderson in the last 16.
MORE: When will Murray play his first match in Australia? .
William’s biggest threat is Victoria Azarenka.
The Frenchman was also no doubt casting a glance towards the resurgence of Azarenka, who has had a tormented two years with foot injuries and a downward spiral in the rankings.
Sharapova: Counting the Fed Cup, this will be only fourth tournament since Wimbledon last summer for the former world No. 1 (she withdrew before the start of the US Open with a leg injury), and she now is dealing with her left forearm issue.
French world number nine Richard Gasquet was not among the seedings for the year’s opening Grand Slam because of a back injury.
Federer suffered a shock straight-sets loss to Canadian Milos Raonic in the final of the Brisbane International in the lead-up to the Open.
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Runner-up at Melbourne Park a year ago, Sharapova flew to Melbourne earlier than expected and has used the time since to hone her preparations with some practice sets.
