As we edge closer to the first slam of the year it's time to make my previous tournament predictions and this year on the women's side it's wide open with a string of players going through good runs of form including Aga Radwanska the WTA Season end Championship winner plus the Auckland title to follow up that success as well, however with Aga I don't see her as a player who can string a run of results against the top hard hitting players like Azarenka, Sharapova, Serena and that brings me onto the latter two.
Maria Sharapova when fit and in form has got to be a contender but she is neither of those two things at the start of this year and the lack of match practise could hinder her as she advances through the tournament and the same could be said for Serena Williams who has had little time on the court since her defeat to Roberta Vinci which ended her Season Slam hopes.
Simona Halep has had her injury worries as well but looked very good against a tricky Pliskova earlier on today with a straight sets victory and Muguruza is also one to watch out, last year she had an incredible slam record and always steps up in the big events.
Kerber has started the year well reaching the Brisbane final, Genie Bouchard has captured some of her old form at the start of the year and could also go on a long run if she can get herself a kind draw.
However the one woman who has looked incredibly at ease on hard court this year is Victoria Azarenka who beat Kerber with ease to win the Brisbane title and she is now looking more hungry then ever to get the injuries behind her and claim the Australian Open title for the 3rd time, with Serena not playing much this year and the unpredictability how she'll play in the Aussie Open I'd put Vika Azarenka as the slight favourite to win it all.
Final Prediction - Azarenka v Muguruza
Last 4 - Azarenka, Muguruza, Serena, Halep
Early Shock Exits - Sharapova, Kvitova
Biggest Surprises - Timea Babos, Allison Riske, Monica Puig
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