Is Novak Djokovic destined to dominate Down Under? Can anyone see past Serena Williams? Or will we have a brand new champion? The Vavel Tennis team have their say on who they think will leave Australia with the trophies in their hands.
Jack Haugh - Vavel Tennis Editor
Men's Champion: Novak Djokovic
Being a Brit, and a Scot at that, it is ever increasingly hard to go against the man who so often has filled his nation with pride. However, after a stellar 2015, the Australian Open title may be a step too far for Andy Murray and instead one would be very brave to bet against Novak Djokovic.
In 2015, the Serb was magnificent as he swept to three grand slam titles, including in Oz, and repeatedly had the answers with which to defeat his nearest rivals. I see this year being no different and although I would expect a close final between he and Murray, I can only see one winner.
Women's Champion: Victoria Azarenka
What an astonishing start to 2016 Victoria Azarenka has had. Winning her first title since 2013 in Brisbane, the Belarussian heads to Melbourne very much the form player. With Serena William's fitness struggles, and the lack of any other obvious candidate - with Garbine Muguruza the exception - I would fully expect Azarenka to claim back her Australian title and with it finally inject some life back into the elite of women's tennis.
Sam Johnson - Vavel Tennis Deputy Editor
Men's Champion: Novak Djokovic
It’s now over a year since Novak Djokovic failed to reach the final of a tournament he entered, and the world number one picked up where he left off last week with his first title of 2016. He’s been given a relatively kind draw – although it’s tricky to think of what exactly would be a tough draw for him at this point – and should reach the latter stages with ease.
Only two players have beaten him in a best of five match since the summer of 2014: Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori, who hardly looks likely to do so again on current form. The Australian Open is Djokovic’s most successful major tournament with five titles, and it’s again tough to see who’s going to stop him this year
Women's Champion: Victoria Azarenka
Victoria Azarenka has been flying under the radar for quite some time now, never having made it back to the very top since time out with injury a couple of years ago. She doesn’t start the tournament as favourite exactly – that honour goes to Serena Williams – but I think this coming fortnight could be the one where Azarenka announces her arrival back onto the biggest stage.
Her draw has been kind – a luxury rarely afforded the former world number one recently – and she will be raring to take full advantage at a time where she’s on good form, having won her first title since 2013 last week, and there are question marks over the fitness and form of almost all of the WTA elite.
Luke Anderson - Media Manager
Men's Champion: Novak Djokovic
On the mens side I feel there’s only going to be one winner. Novak Djokovic is on another level compared to the rest of the tour this year and I can’t see him not lifting the trophy at the end of the fortnight. Is there anyone that can stop him? I think Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer can be ruled out in beating him; Nadal potentially may not beat him this again given their current matches. Federer seems to give him more of a competition but I think Djokovic will lift his level in a slam against him.
That leaves Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka as the potential players who could beat him, however, they are dealing with a different Djokovic and I think Murray will struggle against him. Wawrinka however definitely has the potential in him to beat him if he can lift his level. However I can’t see anyone else lifting the trophy apart from the Serb.
Women's Champion: Serena Williams
On the womens side I fancy Serena Williams to come back with a bang, however with not as much ease as Djokovic. After a difficult end to 2015, she hasn’t played much tennis leading up to the tournament with her only matches being in the Hopman Cup. However this was the case last year and she won the tournament with relative ease. One huge factor this year will be the re-emergence of Victoria Azarenka who seems to be in great shape after winning a title already this year.
She will be looking to get back to the level that she was at when she was winning Grand Slams. She has proved time and time again that she can compete against Williams and should expect a good run in Melbourne. Apart from that, it is difficult to pick anyone else who could lift the title as it is with WTA though, unpredictable is the one word that describes it so won’t rule out anyone!
Glenys Furness - British Expert
Men's Champion: Andy Murray
Coming off the back of a successful 2015 season, where Murray reached the semi final or better of three of the four slams, won his first clay titles on the main tour, defeated Djokovic in a Masters final, and was instrumental in guiding GB to the first Davis Cup title in 80 years he will be buoyed with confidence.
Murray has been in the Australian Open final four times yet has not won. I believe that Murray is in the right place, with impending father hood and with a determination to get over the line at this slam this year is a good opportunity for the Brit to get off to the best start to the season. Djokovic and Federer are in the opposite half of the draw, Nadal and Wawrinka are the major obstacles standing in his way. The Brit will not have to face either until the later rounds and will be tuned up by the later stages. Being close to the title before, and having used the off season to “study” things that could get him passed Djokovic, I'm going with Murray to break his duck and win his third slam of his career.
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Women's Champion: Serena Williams
To be honest, it is hard to see passed Serena for the title. Dominating last season with very few losses Williams is favourite to take the title. Australia has always been good to Williams, she has won the event six times and will be trying for a fourth. There will be some challenging matches for Williams in her route to the final, but I see her making the final and lifting the trophy for a seventh time.
Adam Pinder - Vavel Writer
Men's Champion: Novak Djokovic
Who else? I watched the Doha final - Nadal and his tennis reached a whole new level of ridiculousness, which I suppose is normal for him. His draw could have been worse, although South Korean prospect Chung in the opening round won't be easy.
I think he'll be slightly happier he's got Federer as his projected semi-final opponent rather than Wawrinka, who has pushed him all the way in the last three years Down Under. Cannot see who has got what it takes over best of five sets to beat the world no.1 (unless someone decides to play the match of their lives against him).
Women's Champion: Victoria Azarenka
The easy option would have been to pick Serena, but I think, like quite a few, I fancy Azarenka's chances. She won the Brisbane title without dropping a set and she's avoided a fourth round meeting with Serena (as they're in opposite halves of the draw).
There, in round four, she could meet Muguruza, then Kerber (who she beat in Brisbane final) and then Halep. She's a two time champ as well in Melbourne and she's getting back near her very best. Came close on three occasions to beating Serena last year, yet I envisage she'll get over the line in the final - the world no.1.
So there you have, with most of the VAVEL team backing Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka, it would appear we only have two winners.
Agree? Let us know in the comments below.
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