After a month of uncertainty due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the tennis world will continue in Melbourne for the first major of the year at the Australian Open.

All of the lead-in events were staged at Melbourne Park as players were forced to self-quarantine upon arrival with a full day's play of matches canceled after a hotel worker contracted the virus and the Grampians Trophy final being called off.

Top seed Ashleigh Barty leads a deep field with Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka, defending champion Sofia Kenin, Elina Svitolina, Aryna Sabalenka and Bianca Andreescu rounding out the top eight seeds.

First quarter

Projected Q/F: (1) Ashleigh Barty vs (6) Karolina Pliskova

It couldn't have been a better return to action for the world number one as she captured the title at the Yarra Valley Classic in her first tournament in almost a year. A favorable draw sees only 21st seed Anett Kontaveit and 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova as possible roadblocks.

Barty holds up her trophy after winning the Yarra Valley Classic/Photo: Jack Thomas/Getty Images
Barty holds up her trophy after winning the Yarra Valley Classic/Photo: Jack Thomas/Getty Images

Pliskova is now under the guidance of Sascha Bajin, hired in the offseason, but doesn't have the easiest draw with 11th seed Belinda Bencic, 18th seed Elise Mertens, winner at the Gippsland Trophy and Jelena Ostapenko in her section. The Czech is sure to see challenges as she seeks her first major title.

Prediction: Barty def. Mertens

Second quarter

Projected Q/F: (4) Sofia Kenin vs (5) Elina Svitolina

It will be interesting to see how Kenin defends her title as her warmup for Melbourne included blowout losses to Maria Sakkari and Garbine Muguruza in a rematch of last year's final. 22nd seed Jennifer Brady and Kaia Kanepi, always dangerous at majors and finalist at the Gippsland Trophy, appear to be Kenin's biggest threats.

Azarenka in action at the Grampians Trophy/Photo: Mike Owen/Getty Images
Azarenka in action at the Grampians Trophy/Photo: Mike Owen/Getty Images

Svitolina has made quarterfinals in both of her lead-in events, but has many significant obstacles in her way to that elusive Slam championship, handed one of the toughest sections of the top seeds with 12th seed Victoria AzarenkaSakkari and Cori Gauff all standing in her way.

Prediction: Azarenka def. Brady

Third quarter

Projected Q/F: (8) Bianca Andreescu vs (3) Naomi Osaka

It's a mystery as to what to expect from Andreescu as she hasn't played a match in 15 months. The former US Open champion can at least look at her draw and see a clear path to the fourth round where ninth seed Petra Kvitova will provide a stern test.

Muguruza comes into Melbourne with momentum/Kelly Defina/Reuters
Muguruza comes into Melbourne with momentum/Kelly Defina/Reuters

Osaka withdrew from the Gippsland Trophy semifinals against Mertens, but that was for precautionary reasons. The 2019 champion has a challenging draw with Muguruza, 27th seed Ons Jabeur and first round opponent Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova her biggest obstacles.

Prediction: Muguruza def. Kvitova

Fourth quarter

Projected Q/F: (7) Aryna Sabalenka vs (2) Simona Halep

Sabalenka won in Abu Dhabi, Kanepi stopping 15-match winning streak earlier this week. She's been disappointing in majors, but looks to have a draw that should take her to a round of 16 match with tenth seed Serena Williams.

Williams will look to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 major titles/Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images
Williams will look to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 major titles/Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images


Halep returned to tour action and got blown away by Alexandrova a couple of days ago. 15th seed Iga Swiatek, who blew away the Romanian at Roland Garros last year, 17th seed Elena Rybakina and 32nd seed Veronika Kudermetova, runner-up to Sabalenka in Abu Dhabi, stand in Halep's way.

Prediction: Williams def. Swiatek

Semifinals

Barty def. Azarenka

Muguruza def. Williams

Final

Barty def. Muguruza

 

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