Australian Open crystal ball: Expert predictions on what’s going to happen at Melbourne Park
There are always upsets in the first week of a grand slam and with top players having drawn tricky first-up matches, our experts reveal who is at most risk. Check out our picks for shocks, surprise packets and winners in Melbourne.
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The anticipation for the 2019 Australian Open is about to hit fever pitch, but how is it going to pan out?
All eyes will be on Serena Williams as she eyes Grand Slam history, while Novak Djokovic stands in the way of fellow legend Roger Federer claiming a hat-trick of Australian Open crowns.
Ash Barty and Alex de Minaur headline the Australian charge, and a host of outsiders are waiting to create some shocks as our experts predict what will happen at Melbourne Park over the next fortnight.
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THE 2019 MEN’S CHAMPION WILL BE ______________
Sam Groth: Novak Djokovic
The way he finished 2018 was unbelievable and he is carrying that form into Melbourne.
Leo Schlink: Novak Djokovic
Flies at Melbourne Park and virtually unbeatable for the second half of last season.
Gilbert Gardiner: Roger Federer
Needs to go through Djokovic to win his 21st Grand Slam but the Swiss maestro looks primed to complete a Melbourne Park hat-trick.
Emily Benammar: Roger Federer
Hard to bet against him despite this being his 20th Ausralian Open at the age of 37. He continues make the impossible look normal. Novak Djokovic will present the biggest threat, but why not three on the trot?
Liam Twomey: Novak Djokovic
The Serbian superstar found his best tennis again in 2018 and there is no doubt he is back to the dominant force he once was.
Eliza Sewell: Alexander Zverev
I reckon his hamstring will be fine and the young German will usher in a new era in men’s tennis.
Scott Gullan: Alexander Zverev
Surely it’s time. So on the theory that the title won’t be won by a member of The Big Four, the next best and most capable is the 21-year-old German.
Kate Salemme: Novak Djokovic
He’s back to his best after winning Wimbledon and the US Open last year and he loves the conditions in Melbourne. Locked in.
Lauren Wood: Roger Federer
We thought we might have seen the Swiss master’s last but he remains fit and there’s no reason why he can’t do it again.
Rebecca Williams: Novak Djokovic
The world No. 1 and pre-tournament favourite got his mojo back to win the US Open and Wimbledon last year and with six titles at Melbourne Park already — he knows how to win here.
THE 2019 WOMEN’S CHAMPION WILL BE ______________
Sam Groth: Karolina Pliskova
Each round in Brisbane she got better and better and took down some big names in the process.
Leo Schlink: Serena Williams
Seven titles here, most recently in 2017 when pregnant. Huge effort to contest two major finals last season. History beckons.
Gilbert Gardiner: Aryna Sabalenka
You might need to pack a pair of noise cancelling headphones to sit court-side for the world No. 13-ranked Belarusian but the powerful right-hander could be ready to blossom in 2019 after knocking on the door of the top-10 last year.
Emily Benammar: Angelique Kerber
She loves playing in Australia and has made an impressive start to her 2019 campaign. She claimed her third grand slam title at last year’s Wimbledon and it’ll be No 4 in Melbourne.
Liam Twomey: Naomi Osaka
Her moment at the US Open may have been overshadowed but don’t be fooled. Osaka is absolutely the real deal and doesn’t mind playing at Melbourne Park. She beat Ash Barty here last year and will have plenty of support in the crowd.
Eliza Sewell: Simona Halep
So close last year, the Romanian broke through for her first Slam title in June at the French Open. She’s gutsy and can go the distance and will claim her second major at Melbourne Park.
Scott Gullan: Angelique Kerber
It’s clearly all about Germany this year. Kerber is a former winner in Melbourne and has hit the ground running with perfect lead-up form.
Kate Salemme: Serena Williams
2019 has always been her target to get back to her best after maternity leave despite making two grand slam finals last year. Looks fit and ready to go.
Lauren Wood: Naomi Osaka
The US Open champion is flying and it would be great to see her enjoy a drama-free victory.
Rebecca Williams: Angelique Kerber
After failing to win a grand slam title in 2017, Kerber hit back to win her third major in 2018 when she claimed the Wimbledon crown before finishing the year ranked No. 2 in the world. Hits Melbourne with strong pre-tournament form.
ONE YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE HEARD OF BUT SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON IS ______________
S am Groth: Stefanos Tsitsipas
Coming to Melbourne he will have great support like Baghdatis did back in the day and he’s got a good draw.
Leo Schlink: Aryna Sabalenka
Lost first round last year here to Ash Barty. She’s now ranked No 11 — with a reason.
Gilbert Gardiner: Taylor Fritz
The 21 year-old American, who partnered Nick Kyrgios in the doubles at the Brisbane International, jumped 55 spots in the world rankings last year to finish the season at 49. Will need luck to avoid some of the big guns early but could bank a healthy cheque.
Emily Benammar: Stefanos Tsitsipas
He only won his first ATP match at the end of 2017 and has since climbed into the world’s top 15. In 2018 he defeated four players ranked inside the top 10 and he’s made an encouraging start to this year at the Hopman Cup. Watch out.
Liam Twomey: Karen Khachanov
Keep a close eye on the 22-year-old, who finished 2018 with a bang by winning the Paris Masters. Clearly the biggest tournament win of his career, Khachanov defeated Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev and John Isner on his way to lifting the title.
Eliza Sewell: Aryna Sabalenka
Rose from No. 77 to finish at No. 13 last year and is now ranked 11. The 20-year-old from Belarus took it up to fellow emerging star Naomi Osaka at the US Open and will only get better in 2019.
Scott Gullan: Stefanos Tsitsipas
The Greek freak was one of the few men to beat Novak Djokovic in the second half of the season.
Kate Salemme: Aryna Sabalenka
The 20-year-old from Belarus possesses serious power and goes all-out attack. Has the ability to blast players off the court. She’s risen from No. 73 to No. 11 in the world in less than 12 months.
Lauren Wood: Karen Khachanov
The Russian surged up the rankings and won the 2018 Paris Masters. He’s never made it past the second round at Melbourne Park but expect that to change.
Rebecca Williams: Aryna Sabalenka
The 20-year-old from Belarus is considered one to watch after surging to world No. 11 in the world. Started to year off strongly by winning the Shenzhen Open in China.
THE AUSSIE THAT WILL GO FURTHEST IS ______________
Sam Groth: Ash Barty
She has the luxury of top 16 seeding and she’s playing very well.
Leo Schlink: Ash Barty, Alex de Minaur
Like the Newcombe Medal, it’s a dead heat between Australia’s two best young players.
Gilbert Gardiner: Nick Kyrgios
We know what he can do. He just needs to do it. If his body — and mind for that matter — lets him then Kyrgios could get on a roll and silence a lot of the critics.
Emily Benammar: Ash Barty
No better prep for a grand slam than beating the world No 1 and that’s just what she’s done. Time and time again the Aussie fighter has shown that when up against the world’s best she can handle it.
Liam Twomey: Alex de Minaur
Last year the ‘Demon’ spent all his petrol tickets before the tournament even started with big runs at Brisbane and Sydney. While he hates losing, playing less matches over the past fortnight is good for him. Watch de Minaur go on a run here.
Eliza Sewell: Alex de Minaur
He’s got the hustle and the grit in the mould of Ley Ley. He’s everything Aussies love in a sports person. Bless him.
Scott Gullan: Ash Barty
A legitimate contender for the women’s crown, she will at least keep us interested after the regulation early departures of Kygrios and Tomic.
Kate Salemme: Ash Barty
Had a good year last year and should improve again in 2018. Has good variety in her shots and is very consistent. You know what you’re going to get with Ash.
Lauren Wood: Ash Barty
The Newcombe Medallist declared this week that she fears no one, and there’s no reason why she should.
Rebecca Williams: Ashleigh Barty
The highest-ranked Aussie, male or female, heading to Melbourne, Barty’s game continues to blossom and she appears ready to shoulder the nation’s hopes.
THE STORYLINE TO FOLLOW THIS YEAR IS ______________
Sam Groth: The future
We talk about it every year but will we finally see the next gen come through?
Leo Schlink: Serena’s quest for history
Margaret Court’s record has stood for 46 years. Change is in the wind.
Gilbert Gardiner: What happened to Generation Next?
The old guard is stronger than ever with Novak, Rafa and Roger still firing on all cylinders. Alex Zverev is the last of the whiz kids standing with the likes of Kyrgios, Dimitrov, Thiem and co having been unable to break through.
Emily Benammar: Can Serena finally level Margaret Court?
We missed the superstar this time last year and the tournament just isn’t the same without her. Now, history beckons and a new chapter is ready to be written.
Liam Twomey: Serena Williams
The last time she played in a Grand Slam, it was one of the most controversial and talked about moments of the 2018 sporting calendar. How will Serena’s on-court meltdown play out with the Melbourne crowd?
Eliza Sewell: How long can Roger Federer continue this fairytale ride?
After winning his 20th title last year, will he make it 21? Everyone loves Roger. He’s always the story.
Scott Gullan: Maria Sharapova
Watch for the player everyone loves to hate to wind back the clock at what will be her 15th Australian Open. She knows this is her last chance to win a major.
Kate Salemme: Serena’s quest for No. 24
She fell short at Wimbledon and the US Open and it would be special to see her equal Margaret Court in Melbourne.
Lauren Wood: Serena Williams
Her first Australian Open since she won it while in the early stages of pregnancy and her first grand slam since that showdown with chair umpire Carlos Ramos.
Rebecca Williams: Serena Williams
How will she get on with the umpires after her US Open blow-up?
________________ won’t make it into week two
Sam Groth: Rafael Nadal
It’s hard to write off a champion but I don’t think he is physically ready to play his best
Leo Schlink: Maria Sharapova
Always dangerous to write off a champion but failed to win a title last year with a best at the majors, the quarters at the French Open.
Gilbert Gardiner: Andy Murray
His body just isn’t up to the rigours of grand slam tennis.
Emily Benammar: Nick Kyrgios
He could and should go deep into week two and it’s risky to write him off but by his own admission he’s not in the best mindset. And tumble in the rankings means he’s not protected for the draw.
Liam Twomey: Rafael Nadal
The Spanish Bull has successfully finished one hard court tournament out of his past 12. At this stage of his career, his only real concern is keeping his body in top shape for the clay season. A big hitter could take him out early.
Eliza Sewell: Sam Stosur
I want her to do well so badly, but unseeded, I can’t see her progressing too far.
Scott Gullan: Sloane Stephens
The erratic American has lost in the first round of four of her last six tournaments, all on hard courts.
Kate Salemme: Sloane Stephens
World No. 5 hasn’t made it past the first round at the Australian Open since 2014.
Lauren Wood: Rafael Nadal
Every eye will be watching that ankle — he says it’s fine but there’s no fun in going into grand slams with an injury in your kit bag.
Rebecca Williams: Bernard Tomic
Doesn’t like the new balls.
The Aus Open won’t be the same without ______________
Sam Groth: Me!
It’s my first year not here and I miss it.
Leo Schlink: David Ferrer
The Little Beast has retired after 17 Australian Open campaigns, crowned by two semi-finals appearances. No-one was safe when The Wall was in the zone.
Gilbert Gardiner: The wet bulb globe temperature readings
Even though few of us actually knew/know what it does, the “wet bulb” rolled off the tongue perfectly — not unlike ‘bundled out’ — during the first week of the Open as temperatures typically surged towards 40 degrees.
Emily Benammar: Deciding sets going to the death
The introduction of the ‘super tie-break’ means that all four grand slams now operate under different rules which is absurd. The death of yet another tennis tradition.
Liam Twomey: Juan Martin del Potro
This man just can’t catch a break. After a brilliant 2018, highlighted by making the US Open final, Del Potro is again on the sidelines with a knee injury. The men’s tour is better when he is up and firing. He could have been the outright second favourite here.
Eliza Sewell: The all-nighter
With final-set tie-breaks at the Aussie Open for the first time, the all-nighter, which had become a signature event in Melbourne, is a thing of the past. If it’s locked at 6-6 in the final set, it’s first to 10 points.
Scott Gullan: Gilles Mueller
This one is for all the multi-bet punters out there who always threw in the left-hander from Luxembourg for some value. He’s been coming to Melbourne since 2004 but retired after last year’s US Open.
Kate Salemme: The wet bulb globe temperature readings
Used in the old Extreme Heat Policy, whatever they meant.
Lauren Wood: Agnieszka Radwanska
The Polish star could always be counted on to push top players to their limits.
Rebecca Williams: The wet bulb globe temperature readings.
Your bet of the tournament ______________________
Leo Schlink:
Djokovic to win his seventh AO
Gilbert Gardiner:
Federer $5.50 to win Australian Open.
Emily Benammar:
Djokovic-Kerber double is paying $17
Liam Twomey:
The list of men’s players who perform well at the Brisbane International and back that up at Melbourne Park is long and includes Grigor Dimitrov, Andy Murray and Roger Federer. Look for Nishikori to join that list this year. At $21 in TAB’s outright winner market, he is great value.
Eliza Sewell:
The double featuring Alexander Zverev and Simona Halep at $145. Thank me later
Scott Gullan:
Winner double — Zverev into Kerber $90
Kate Salemme:
The Serena-Djokovic double is paying $9.50.
Lauren Wood:
Alexander Zverev at $9.
Rebecca Williams:
Angelique Kerber $8
Originally published as Australian Open crystal ball: Expert predictions on what’s going to happen at Melbourne Park
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