Once again, the top players in the world will converge in Australia for the 2020 edition of the Australian Open. Naomi Osaka is the defending champion over in the women’s side of the competition with many other talented players, a mix of proven veterans and up-and-comers, are also vying for the crown. Read on for more about the tournament below.
TV Broadcast: ESPN, NBC Sports, TSN, Tennis Channel
FAVORITES
Serena Williams (+550)
At 38 years old and a ton of miles in her legs, Williams is still among the top draws and most feared players in any tournament she enters. Much of it today is because of her legend. She is the Michael Jordan of women’s tennis and the Australian Open is where she’s built a big part of her myth. And even though Williams has not won a Grand Slam since returning from pregnancy, she has shown she’s still got it in the form of five runner-up finishes in Grand Slam events from 2018 to present. Sure, she’s fell agonizingly short of winning in those tournaments, but those were clear signs that he’s still a force to reckon with on the tennis court.
Bianca Andreescu (+700)
Andreescu, currently ranked sixth in the world, had a breakout season in 2019. Last year, she got her biggest win to date in his young career, beating Serena Williams in the finals of the US Open. In addition, Andreescu also topped the field in Toronto and in Indian Wells. In Andreescu’s win in Canada, she victimized Williams in the finals, too. More mature and experienced, the 19-year-old Canadian is looking to sustain the momentum in the new decade.
SLEEPERS
Angelique Kerber (+2500)
Kerber has always been a performer in the Australian Open. In fact, she’s won there before, raising the trophy in 2016. Since then, she’s reached the fourth round three times, including a semifinals appearance in 2017. Ranked 18th in the world, Kerber went 19-14 in hard-court WTA matches in 2019.
Kiki Bertens (+3300)
Bertens is no. 9 in the world as of this writing, making her an interesting player to watch at the very least in the 2020 Australian Open. Bertens has yet to win a Grand Slam title but won two singles titles in 2019. She won in St. Petersburgh last year and defeated Simona Halep in the finals in Madrid.
LONG SHOT
Marketa Vondrousova (+6600)
At just 20 years old, Vondrousova has the world in front of her. She showed much promise in 2019, when she made it all the way into the finals of the French Open. She lost to Ashleigh Barty in the finals in Roland Garros, but it was enough to convince people that she’s a name to follow in women’s tennis. Vondrousova, who’s never gone past the second round in the Australian Open, went 13-4 in WTA hard-court matches in 2019.
Writer’s Prediction
Serena Williams adds to her legend with a win in the 2020 Australian Open.
