Top five titles favorite in women’s singles at Australian Open 2024

Published at :January 11, 2024 at 7:59 PM

Modified at :January 14, 2024 at 12:03 AM

(Courtesy : AFP/Wikipedia)

Iga Swiatek is on the top of the Pile.

The first major tennis event of the year, the Australian Open 2024, is set to commence on the 14th of this month. On Wednesday, tournament officials announced that Iga Swiatek, the world no. 1, will be the top seed in the women’s singles division. She is followed by defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. Elena Rybakina, last year’s runner-up, and Coco Gauff, the US Open champion, are ranked third and fourth respectively.

These top four seeds – Rybakina, Gauff, and current Australian champion Sabalenka – pose the greatest threats and have a strong likelihood of reaching at least the semifinals. The conclusion of the Australian Open is likely to bring about significant changes in the WTA rankings.

As we approach the first Grand Slam of the year, let’s take a look at the top contenders for the Australian Open 2024 in women’s singles.

Top title contenders in women’s singles at Australian Open 2024

Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek, a four-time majors champion, has secured the top seed position at the Australian Open for the second consecutive year. Following her flawless performance at the United Cup last week, where she won all five of her singles matches, the Polish pro is demonstrating exceptional form.

Her win-loss tally for the year stands at an impressive 68-11. She has made history by becoming the first player since Justine Henin in 2005, 2006, and 2007 to clinch the women’s singles title at Roland Garros three times consecutively.

Having tasted grand success in Paris and New York, Swiatek is eager to claim her first-ever title in Melbourne. As the Australian Open commences on Sunday, Swiatek is widely expected to secure her maiden title. However, she may face stiff competition from other formidable contenders.

Aryna Sabalenka

The Belarusian player clinched her first Major championship at the Happy Slam in 2018 and briefly ascended to the top of the world rankings. Sabalenka had an outstanding 2023, during which she not only achieved the world’s number-one ranking but also emerged victorious at the Australian Open.

Her maiden major victory came last year in Melbourne, where she defeated Rybakina. The Belarusian player also reached the final of the US Open.

Although the defending champion seemed poised to end the year at the top of the world rankings, Swiatek surpassed her by winning the WTA Tour finals. This formidable 25-year-old became the first player since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach the semi-finals in all four Slams within a single season.

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Elena Rybakina

Elena Rybakina, currently ranked third, was the runner-up in last year’s Australian Open final, losing to the formidable Sabalenka. Following in the footsteps of Monica Seles (1991) and Maria Sharapova (2012), she became the first player in the Open Era to reach the finals of the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami Open, and Rome in the same season. Last week, at the Brisbane International, Sabalenka made it to the final, where she was decisively defeated by Rybakina.

Rybakina, a Kazakh player born in Russia, was on the cusp of adding another championship to her 2022 Wimbledon victory after losing to Sabalenka in three sets at the Australian Open a year ago. She impressively started 2024, defeating Sabalenka in the Brisbane final and dropping just 15 games in five matches, and only three games in the final.

Having broken into the top 3 of the WTA last year, Rybakina arrived in Melbourne as one of the favorites to lift the trophy.

Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff had a commendable 2023, becoming the first teenager to win the Washington Open, followed by a victory at the Cincinnati Open. Over the past year, the 19-year-old has clinched five titles on the WTA Tour.

Gauff’s forehand, once seen as a weakness by opponents, has evolved into a formidable weapon. Her serve has also seen consistent improvement since her debut at Wimbledon in 2019. With enhanced aggression and all-around quickness, she has honed her first-strike tennis skills, making her a strong defender.

The American player is keen to surpass her fourth-round result at the 2023 Australian Open and is highly motivated to secure her first Grand Slam title.

Jessica Pegula

Jessica Pegula emerged as a standout player in women’s singles tennis in 2023. She reached the pinnacle of her career at the WTA Finals, demonstrating her adaptability to the challenging playing conditions in Cancun. Pegula won all her group-stage matches, defeating notable players like Maria Sakkari, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina in straight sets.

Her impressive performance continued with a decisive victory over her doubles partner and US Open champion, Coco Gauff, in the semifinals.

Despite her inability to replicate this form in the final against Iga Swiatek, 2023 was a year of significant achievements for Pegula. Although she did not progress past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, she ended the year ranked World No. 5, won multiple titles in a single season for the first time, and achieved her highest seasonal win percentage.

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