NewKerala.com

Sabalenka's Tough Path to Third Aus Open Title; Keys Faces Pegula, Anisimova

The Australian Open women's singles draw has set a challenging path for top contenders. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka could face a semifinal against Coco Gauff, but must first navigate past players like Emma Raducanu. Iga Swiatek's quest for a career Grand Slam is threatened by a potential quarterfinal with Elena Rybakina. Meanwhile, defending champion Madison Keys faces a difficult third-round match and Venus Williams makes history as the oldest woman in the tournament's main draw.

Key Points: Australian Open Draw: Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff on Collision Course

  • Sabalenka & Gauff on semifinal course
  • Defending champ Keys faces tough early draw
  • Swiatek's career Slam bid faces Rybakina threat
  • Venus Williams becomes oldest woman in draw
2 min read

Aus Open: Sabalenka faces tough path; Keys could face Pegula, Anisimova in title defence

The Australian Open women's draw sets up potential clashes for Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff, and defending champion Madison Keys. See the tough paths to the title.

Aus Open: Sabalenka faces tough path; Keys could face Pegula, Anisimova in title defence
"Sabalenka's road to a third Australian Open title in four years could include passing her rivals Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek."

Melbourne, Jan 15

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka's road to a third Australian Open title in four years could include passing her rivals Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek after the draw for the season's first major was revealed on Thursday.

The 27-year-old Sabalenka and third seed Gauff are on a semifinal collision course, but the Belarusian may first need to move past 2021 US Open champion and 28th seed Emma Raducanu, big-hitting Danish 14th seed Clara Tauson and seventh seed, two-time major finalist Jasmine Paolini to reach that stage.

Gauff, who claimed her second major at Roland Garros last year, could run into 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva, the eighth seed, in the quarterfinals.

Defending champion Madison Keys, in her bid for back-to-back Australian Open titles, could face a challenging third-round clash against Canadian 22nd seed Leylah Fernandez, with the pair having split their two previous meetings. That could result in a fourth-round meeting with US compatriot Jessica Pegula.

Keys returns to Melbourne Park after winning her first-ever Grand Slam last year. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka, who has reached the final in each of the past three editions and won titles in 2023 and 2024.

World No.2 Iga Swiatek's bid to complete a career Grand Slam faces serious threats before the final, with a potential quarterfinal against fifth seed Elena Rybakina, who was unbeaten at the WTA Finals in November.

Swiatek could meet fourth-seeded Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals.

Two-time major finalist Anisimova could face compatriot Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals, but the sixth seed faces a daunting prospect of reigning women's champion Keys in the fourth round.

Moreover, despite back-to-back fourth-round appearances at Melbourne Park, eighth seed Andreeva will have a tricky first assignment in the form of former world No.17 Donna Vekic.

Former world No.1 and seven-time major champion Venus Williams opens against Serbian left-hander Olga Danilovic, a player 21 years her junior.

The 45-year-old Williams, who has twice reached the Australian Open final, is set to become the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open main draw, surpassing the record previously held by Japan's Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round of the 2015 Australian Open.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As an Indian tennis fan, it's exciting to see such a competitive field, though I wish we had our own contender in the mix. The potential quarterfinal clashes are mouth-watering. Gauff vs. Andreeva could be the match of the tournament!
V
Vikram M
Respect to Venus Williams! 45 years old and still competing at this level is absolutely inspirational. She's a legend. Record or no record, just seeing her play is a treat 🎾
A
Ananya R
Madison Keys defending her title will be tough with that draw. Fernandez and then possibly Pegula? That's a very American-heavy section. The pressure of being defending champion is huge.
D
David E
The article is great on matchups, but it feels a bit repetitive in the middle, going back and forth between the same players' paths. A clearer visual bracket summary would help. Still, can't wait for the action to start!
S
Siddharth J
Swiatek's quest for the career slam is the big story for me. That potential QF against Rybakina is a nightmare draw. Rybakina was on fire at the WTA Finals. This tournament is wide open!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50