HOW THE LEADING WOMEN'S CONTENDERS SHAPE UP FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN:
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IGA SWIATEK (POL)
Age: 21
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US15,119,452
Career titles: 11
Grand slam titles: 3 (French Open 2020, 2022; US Open 2022)
Australian Open win-loss record: 12-4
Best Australian Open result: semi-finalist 2022
The world No.1 had been a hot favourite to claim the third leg of a career grand slam before suffering a straight-sets mauling at the hands of Jessica Pegula at the United Cup then withdrawing from Adelaide with a shoulder complaint. Will take some stopping if fully fit.
ONS JABEUR (TUN)
Age: 28
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US9,228,066
Career titles: 3
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 6-5
Best Australian Open result: quarter-finalist 2020
The first Arab and African woman to make grand slam singles finals achieved the feat back-to-back at Wimbledon and the US Open last year to spectacularly announce her arrival as a genuine major force. Seeded to reach her first final at Melbourne Park.
JESSICA PEGULA (USA)
Age: 28
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US6,939,006
Career titles: 2
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 8-3
Best Australian Open results: quarter-finalist 2021, 2022
The most improved player in tennis fired a warning to her Open rivals with that thumping win over Swiatek. Has shown a liking for the Melbourne Park courts with deep runs the past two years. It took eventual champion Ash Barty to oust her last time around.
CAROLINE GARCIA (FRA)
Age: 29
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US15,352,991
Career titles: 11
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 12-11
Best Australian Open result: fourth round 2018
The French veteran enjoyed a resurgent 2022 season, crowned with title glory at the prestigious WTA Finals in November. Has yet to deliver in Melbourne and remains one of the most enigmatic players on tour.
ARYNA SABALENKA (BLR)
Age: 24
Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US12,302,010
Career titles: 11
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 8-5
Best Australian Open results: fourth round 2021, 2022
The big-hitting Belarusian has never looked better placed to break through for her maiden grand slam crown after reaching the semi-finals of the US Open, losing to Garcia in the final of the season-ending championship and starting 2023 in style with title success in Adelaide.
COCO GAUFF (USA)
Age: 18
Ranking: 7
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US5,581,091
Career titles: 4
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 4-3
Best Australian Open result: fourth round 2020
Long burdened with the tag of 'the next Serena Williams', the American prodigy made her first grand slam final last year in Paris and firmed in Open betting with title success at her season-opening event in Auckland.
BEST OUTSIDER
MADISON KEYS (USA)
Age: 27
Ranking: 10
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US15,322,687
Career titles: 6
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 25-9
Best Australian Open results: semi-finalist 2015, 2022
The in-form American was unbeaten in helping Team USA to the inaugural United Cup title and has already proven her grand slam credentials with a charge to the 2017 US Open final. Lost to eventual winners Barty and Serena Williams in two semi-finals in Melbourne. Neither are here this year.
BEST AUSSIE HOPE
AJLA TOMLJANOVIC
Age: 29
Ranking: 35
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US5,650,758
Career titles: 0
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 4-8
Best Australian Open results: second round 2014, 2015, 2020, 2021
No longer a great under-achiever but a triple grand slam quarter-finalist after reaching the last eight in three of her past six majors, the Croatian-born talent will need to overcome a horror draw and terrible record at Melbourne Park to go deep. But is more than capable.
Australian Associated Press
