Australian Open 2022: Women’s Singles Draw Preview and Prediction
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Australian Open 2022 Women's Singles Draw
The excitement around the first Grandslam of the year, Australian Open 2022 keeps growing as the draws have been conducted. All 128 players have learnt their fate, and are aware of the obstacles they must clear in order to lay their hands on the prestigious title.
Talking about the women’s draw at the Australian Open 2022, the field is star-studded with world class players on display. Furthermore, with a huge change in rankings since last year, we could witness some blockbuster fixtures in the earlier rounds.
Naomi Osaka, two-time champion and defending champion is back in Melbourne to defend her crown. Surprisingly, she is seeded 13th this time around, after missing majority of the last season due to personal issues. All eyes will be on Ashleigh Barty, the top seed and the home favorite.
Tournament Details:
- Tournament: Australian Open 2022
- Date: January 17-31, 2022
- Number of Entrants: 128
- Venue: Melbourne, Australia
- Surface: Hard Court
- Prize Money: $2.75 million
Top 5 Seeds at the Australian Open 2022
- Ash Barty
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Garbine Muguruza
- Barbora Krejcikova
- Maria Sakkari
Women’s Singles Draw Preview and Analysis
Top Half
First Quarter
Ashleigh Barty, top seed at the Australian Open 2022 is placed in the first half of the draw, as usual. She kickstarts her campaign against an unknown qualifier. Barty’s second round opponent could be the Russian, Varvara Gravecha. Her biggest challenge could come in the fourth round, when she could face four time major champion, Naomi Osaka in a blockbuster clash. If she passes the Japanese test, then the Australian would most likely face Maria Sakkari in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, as for Naomi Osaka, she could face Tokyo Olympics gold medalist, Belinda Bencic in round three itself. Hence, the defending champion has a lot of work to do to book a place in the last 8.
In the bottom half of the first quarter, fifth seed, Maria Sakkari has got a fairly comfortable draw. She opens her campaign against Tatjana Maria in round one, and her first real challenge could come only in the fourth round against Tunisian, Ons Jabeur. However, Jessica Pegula and V. Kudermetova are obstacles in her path.
1st Quarterfinal Prediction: Ash Barty vs Maria Sakkari
Second Quarter
Barbora Krejcikova, seeded fourth at the Australian Open kickstarts her campaign against A. Petkovic of Germany. The French Open 2021 champion has got a fairly decent draw, with a clear path to the last 32. The likes of Victoria Azarenka and Elina Svitolina are placed could cross paths in the third round. We expect a fourth round clash between Barbora Krejcikova and Victoria Azarenka for a place in the quarterfinals.
Sofia Kenin and Madison Keys lock horns in the first round itself. The former, who is also the Australian Open 2020 champion could face Coco Gauff in the third round. Meanwhile, as for Paula Badosa, eighth seed, she has a good draw in front of her. The Spaniard is expected to face the high-flying teenager, Coco Gauff for a place in the last eight of Australian Open 2022.
2nd Quarterfinal Prediction: Barbora Krejcikova vs Paula Badosa
Bottom Half
Third Quarter
Anett Kontaveit, hard hitting Estonian is seeded sixth, and will face Katerina Siniakova in the first round itself. A potential clash against Danielle Collins awaits in the third round. Elena Rybakina will face Zarina Diyas in the first round encounter, and her first test comes against Elise Mertens in the round of 32.
Anett Kontaviet and Elena Rybakina will fight for a place in the quarterfinals, where the latter who made it to the finals in Adelaide will emerge victorious. Simona Halep, Emma Raducanu and Garbine Muguruza could all cross paths in the third quarter.
Simona Halep faces M. Frech in round one, whereas, Emma Raducanu starts against Sloane Stephens in the opener. We expect Stephens to defeat the US Open 2021 champion, and atleast reach the third round, where she faces Halep. Garbine Muguruza has a very good draw, and she should stroll past into the fourth round. The Spaniard will face Simona Halep to reignite a very old rivalry for a place in the last eight.
Also Read: REVEALED! Daniil Medvedev’s Path to Claim his First Australian Open Title
Third Quarterfinal Prediction: Elena Rybakina vs Garbine Muguruza
Fourth Quarter
Iga Swiatek, seventh seed faces a qualifier in round one, with a potential battle against Petra Kvitova in the third round. The Pole is expected to reach the fourth round, where she will lose to the Russian, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Aryna Sabalenka, Leylah Fernandez and A. Kerber are all in the last quarter. Kerber faces Kaia Kanepi in round one, whereas, a potential rematch of US Open against Leylah Fernandez is on the cards in round three. This time, Kerber will emerge victorious and book a place in the last 16.
Aryna Sabalenka will have a smooth sailing in the first few rounds, before facing Marketa Vondrousova in round three. The second seed will defeat A. Kerber for a spot in the last eight.
Fourth Quarter Prediction: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Aryna Sabalenka
Women’s Singles Draw- Quarterfinals
Ashleigh Barty will emerge victorious in the first quarterfinal against the Greek, Maria Sakkari. The Australia will continue her bid to win her first home slam. In the second quarterfinals, Paula Badosa will defeat the Czech, Barbora Krejcikova to setup a semifinal clash with Ashleigh Barty.
Garbine Muguruza, runner up at Australian Open 2020 will defeat Elena Rybakina in the third semifinals. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka should end Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s run at the Australian Open 2022.
First Semifinal: Ashleigh Barty vs Paula Badosa
Second Semifinal: Garbine Muguruza vs Aryna Sabalenka
Semifinals
Ashleigh Barty and Paula Badosa will clash against each other in the first semifinals. The Australian should just have enough firepower to end Badosa’s incredible run to the semis. We expect Barty to book a spot in the finals.
Garbine Muguruza, third seed at Australian Open 2022 will defeat Aryna Sabalenka in the other semifinal to set up a summit clash against Ash Barty. Both games will go right down to the wire, with experience prevailing when it matters the most.
Final
Ashleigh Barty will lift her first Australian Open title, and third overall, as he defeats Garbine Muguruza in a blockbuster finale. This will be the second time that the Spaniard ends as the runner-up in Melbourne.
To Lift the Title: Ash Barty
Also Read: REVEALED! Alexander Zverev’s Path to Claim his First Australian Open Title
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Nirmit Mehta
(2425 Articles Published)