From Roger Federer to Maria Sharapova, Nick Kyrgios and everyone in between, Aussie tennis darling Jelena Dokic joins our experts to predict what might happen at Melbourne Park over the next fortnight.

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THE STORYLINE TO FOLLOW THIS TOURNAMENT IS ____________

Jelena Dokic: The Fed

With Roger Federer in such great form will he win another Australian Open and win his 20th grand slam title?

Leo Schlink: Women’s battle

Which of the leading women will best hold nerves and serves. If the usual pattern is followed, expect the unexpected and, much like last year’s French, the emergence of an unscarred tyro.

Nick Smart: Roger, of course

The remarkable longevity of Roger Federer, who continues to find a way while his rivals falter.

Lauren Wood : Nick Kyrgios

This guy is a serious threat and wouldn’t it be incredible if he could reach the tournament’s second week? Let alone go all the way ... He’s definitely got what it takes and when he puts it all together is a scary prospect for even the top players in the world.

Emily Benammar : The return of Maria Sharapova

Two years since she was last at Melbourne Park, back at the scene of where she failed that drugs test and her invitation to attend the draw has already sparked outrage. If this a sign of the reception she can expect then it’ll be a frosty fortnight — and she will thrive on it.

Kate Salemme: Who will emerge?

With Serena Williams on maternity leave the women’s draw is wide open. The WTA had several players reach the No. 1 ranking in Serena’s absence last year — including Karolina Pliskova and Garbine Muguruza — before Simona Halep finished the year as the top-ranked woman. Halep has never won a grand slam, and neither have six of the other top-10 women. Will a clear No. 1 emerge in Melbourne?

Sam Edmund : Opportunity

How often do you have Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori and Victoria Azarenka out, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka returning from long injury breaks and Rafa Nadal apparently struggling with a knee? For the slamless contenders, it may not get this good again.

Liam Twomey: Roger Federer

Say it isn’t so! Will this be the last time we see the Fed Express in Melbourne? After his win at last year’s Australian Open, Roger Federer said he “hoped” to be back at Melbourne Park in 2018. One full season and another wheelbarrow full of trophies later, what will Federer say at the end of this Open?

Eliza Sewell : Double Rs

Seeded one and two respectively, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer will have the purists plus the romantics in their corner, rooting for a reprisal of their 2017 Oz Open final showdown. Federer is gunning for a 20th grand slam singles title and even though seemingly ageless, the record shows he is in fact 36. Amazing. Rafa is just a pup at 31 but his body has been battered a little bit more than his great foe.

Scott Gullan: Maria Sharapova.

This is already a runaway train thanks to the geniuses who decided to make her the star of the tournament’s draw. The angst against the Russian drug cheat will build daily as she recaptures her old form, takes advantage of a weakened field and steamrolls into the second week.

Jay Clark : Nick Kyrgios

The wildly talented and brash Aussie can go all the way and you know there will be fireworks across the fortnight. Personally, I’m OK with Nick being himself, even if there are some rough edges at times. Better than wearing a mask.

Chris Cavanagh : The rise and rise of Nick Kyrgios

The Australian is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea and more controversy is almost agiven but he has the form and mental application to go far and you can bet the home crowd at Melbourne Park will rise with him.

Mick Randall : Who takes Serena’s crown/Maria Sharapova.

The GOAT won’t be in Australia to defend her crown and that means the women’s draw is wide open. This could be anyone’s tournament — that includes Maria Sharapova in her first Australian Open since her drugs ban. I wonder how the fans will react if she wins?

Gilbert Gardiner : Next Gen

A lot has been written and spoken over the journey about generation next, but 2018 Australian Open could see the likes of Nick Kyrgios, Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov lay the foundations for the changing of the guard. the changing of the guard.

MEN’S WINNER WILL BE ____________

Jelena Dokic: Roger Federer

I think he’s come into this tournament with the most form and matches out of the top guys. I think he’s also physically the best prepared and injury free.

Leo Schlink : Roger Federer

Exhibit A for the jury is Fed’s wondrous 2017 season. Exhibit B is the generously paced court surface and Exhibit C is enduring genius.

Nick Smart : Roger Federer

I underestimated the great man last year and look what happened. He’s fit and will be primed for the year’s first slam.

Lauren Wood : Roger Federer

Can’t go past the master, and who would have thought this time last year that we’d be sitting here talking about him going back-to-back? He has adapted, sure, but it’s worked and his game looks to be — as it has been for so long — all class as he looks to defend his title. Think Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will be right up there, too.

Emily Benammar: Grigor Dimitrov

Sticking with my initial choice here but I’ve been around in circles. Dimitrov’s finish to 2017 was immense, he looked like a grand slam champion in waiting in London. And while his 2018 has not started anything like as well - he was disappointing in Brisbane and his service looks all out of whack - I’ll keep the faith and back him to handle the early obstacles.

Sam Edmund: Roger Federer

Because he is Roger Federer

Kate Salemme: Novak Djokovic

He says his elbow injury still isn’t 100 per cent and he’s had limited match-practice but the best players don’t always need a heap of matches to find their touch. All Djokovic may need are his early matches before the second week when it really heats up. Has a tough draw but to be the best you need to beat the best.

Liam Twomey : Roger Federer

Roger Federer’s best performances last year came when he was fresh. He won the Australian Open after a long off season. Then he won Wimbledon after skipping large parts of the clay season including the French Open. After a busy American hardcourt schedule, he was bundled out early in the US Open.

Eliza Sewell : Nick Kyrgios

I’m with Cashy. NK is going to win a major at some stage. Why not here? Why not now? Short answer. No reason. Roger is lovely, but this Indian summer can’t last indefinitely. Rafa has his knee and he can’t afford not to have everything spot on at Melbourne Park. And the Djoker’s playing his first tournament in six months. Strike now Nick.

Scott Gullan: Nick Kyrgios.

It’s going to happen at some point so why not this year? There is a massive opportunity in Melbourne for someone given the big names missing and question marks over others. Kyrgios has shown form on the court given his win in Brisbane but more importantly he hasn’t shot his mouth off. If he can keep calm, not fake injuries or attack umpires, then a historic victory is there for the taking.

Jay Clark : Grigor Dimitrov

Maybe he hasn’t take the tennis world by storm like we thought he might a few years ago but with so many questions over the big dogs this year, the planets just might align. Heavy forehand, court craft and super athletic, he’s always fun to watch.

Matt Windley : Nick Kyrgios

Why not? The polarising Aussie has proven that he can beat pretty much everyone in the men’s draw. He’s won tournaments — including in Brisbane already this year — and he loves the big stage. His biggest hurdles will be Roger Federer, himself and his knee, but watch his bandwagon fill up quickly if he goes deep.

Chris Cavanagh : Rafa Nadal

It’s tough to tip against Roger Federer, but Rafael Nadal’s favourable draw has increased the Spaniard’s chances significantly. There are injury concerns around Nadal, who has not played a competitive match since November due to knee problems. But if he can shake off those the world No. 1 looks primed to claim a second Australian Open crown.

Mick Randall : Alexander Zverev

I know he’s only 20, but there’s just something about the angry German. After pushing Rafael Nadal to five sets in the third round of last year’s tournament, he reeled off five titles and beat the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Has the ability to win in Melbourne.

Gilbert Gardiner : Roger Federer

The GOAT. Fit, firing and primed, defending champion Federer will take a world of beating at Melbourne Park. With major rivals, including Novak Djokovic (elbow), Rafael Nadal (knee) and Stan Wawrinka (knee), under injury clouds the Swiss maestro looks the one to beat.

WOMEN’S WINNER WILL BE____________

Jelena Dokic: Angelique Kerber

Because her ranking dropped last year there’s no pressure on her and she has won all of her matches so far this year. She has only looked better with each match

Leo Schlink : Angelique Kerber

New year, new coach, new attitude ... and 2016 form. The German has banished the horrors of last season, starting this year in a blaze. Her projected quarter-final seeds are either out of form or injured or both.

Lauren Wood : Caroline Wozniacki

The Danish star is back to second in the rankings and displayed some blistering form to close out 2017 at the WTA Finals. A relatively smooth draw greeted her on Thursday night, with Jelena Ostapenko looming as a threat — and that’s not until the quarter-finals.

Nick Smart : Caroline Wozniacki

Let’s be honest, there would have been a collective sigh of relief among the women’s ranks when Queen Serena decided not to take part this year. In her absence, I like Wozniacki to win her first grand slam. It would be a tremendous story.

Emily Benammar: CoCo Vandeweghe

A slightly left field choice but a two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist last year, Fed Cup winner, she entered the top 10 for the first time and enjoyed a solid season under the leadership of Pat Cash. Her attitude’s matured, she’s coming into the tournament under the radar and I love her aggressive playing style.

Sam Edmund: Elina Svitolina

Took five titles in an impressive 2017 and won in Brisbane. In good form and poised for that breakout slam.

Kate Salemme: Karolina Pliskova

My heart says Venus Williams but my head says Karolina Pliskova. The No. 6 seed performed well at all grand slams last year, making at least the quarterfinals in each (aside from Wimbledon) and has had decent preparation despite losing to Elina Svitolina in Brisbane. If her serve is on it’s nearly unplayable, which gives her a huge advantage.

Liam Twomey: CoCo Vandeweghe

CoCo has two big things in her favour. She made the Australian Open semi-finals last year, so she clearly knows how to perform in the conditions. This year she is also working with Aussie great Pat Cash. If anyone knows how to get the best out of someone on the big stage, it is Cash.

Eliza Sewell : Maria Sharapova

“Inadvertent” drug use at the 2016 Oz Open cost the Russian born superstar a year’s holiday. Back at Melbourne with no Serena and not a lot to lose, reckon the ‘Pova can do some damage here.

Scott Gullan: Caroline Wozniacki

No-one has ever really taken her serious, even when she was engaged to Rory McIlroy. But that’s all changed in the last six months. Wozniacki is seeded No.2 for a reason as she’s found some serious game and will never get a better chance to break her Grand Slam duck.

Jay Clark: Karolina Piskova

Heavy serve can wiper her opponents off the court. And we love the super-aggressive forehand and moves to the net.

Matt Windley: Angelique Kerber

In possibly the most open women’s draw in years, it’s impossible to pick a winner with any certainty. That’s why analysing exposed form is the best way to go about it and Kerber looked on song at the Hopman Cup in Perth. The way she dismantled Eugene Bouchard and Daria Gavrilova was particularly impressive and the German former world No. 1 appears to have shaken off the woes she has experienced in recent times.

Chris Cavanagh : Halep/Wozniacki

It is an open field without Serena Williams and you could argue world No. 1 Simona Halep is due to capture her maiden Grand Slam victory. However, Caroline Wozniacki also looks ready to strike after landing a good draw. The Australian Open has not been a happy hunting ground for Wozniacki — her best result a semi-final in 2011 — but she has the form to better that this time around.

Mick Randall : Jelena Ostapenko

Like Zverev, the Latvian is only 20, but pushed Krystina Pliskova last year and then won the French Open. I know she bombed out in the first round in Sydney, but she has no fear and she’s never out of it, winning more three-set matches than any other player on tour this season.

Gilbert Gardiner : Angelique Kerber

The 2016 Australian Open champion is back to her best after a forgettable 2017 season. The German former world No. 1 blasted away Venus Williams and Lucie Safarova in Sydney last week. Don’t discount Williams, with little sister Serena out of action, making a championship run.

AUS OPEN WON’T BE THE SAME WITHOUT____________

Jelena Dokic: Serena Williams

She’s the greatest of all time. An incredible champion. She brings so much to the women’s game.

Leo Schlink : Serena and Vika

The tour’s two most famous mothers sadly won’t at Melbourne Park, more’s the pity. Apart from imposing records and presence, the pair brings much needed charisma.

Nick Smart: Serena Williams

Queen Serena terrorising her opponents. To win last year while pregnant is one of the more remarkable stories in tennis history. Let’s hope she is back next year.

Lauren Wood : Serena Williams

Won’t be alone in saying it but the American superstar is just about part of the furniture — let alone the history books — at Melbourne Park, having missed just three of the year’s opening grand slams since 1998. It would have been some story to have her here and competing but it just wasn’t to be.

Emily Benammar : Serena Williams

What a story it would have been to watch the GOAT get back to grand slam tennis just four months after giving birth to her first child. A phenomenal athlete who holds this event close to her heart, it will be missing something special without her.

Sam Edmund : Andy Murray

Just who will we call “surly”, “moody” or “sulky” now??

Kate Salemme: Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka

Serena Williams’ absence speaks for itself — she’s a champion and the greatest of all-time. But this year’s Open will also miss two-time champion Victoria Azarenka for the second straight year. She’s a fan favourite in Australia and is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining and best players on the women’s tour.

Scott Gullan: Serena Williams

Pretty simple here. It’s hard to replace the best female tennis player in history. Serena brings more than just outstanding tennis to the tournament, she is a legitimate global superstar who has people hanging off every word she says whether that be about her latest fashion statement, her favourite Melbourne restaurant or who she thinks is going to win the Superbowl. Serena has a presence that will be badly missed.

Liam Twomey: Serena Williams

She has owned the Australian Open for years. But with Serena Williams missing in action, after giving birth to her first child, a new queen of Melbourne Park is set to rise. With Williams out, this is one of the toughest women’s Australian Opens to predict in years.

Jay Clark: John Tomic

A John Tomic circus of some kind. It would be an interesting interview, that’s for sure.

Matt Windley : A fearsome ‘big four’

Andy Murray out injured, Novak Djokovic on the comeback trail after months out and question marks over Rafael Nadal’s fitness. Roger Federer aside, the men’s draw has no commanding presence this time around, which possibly opens the door — finally — to one of the Next Gen stars to stamp themselves.

Chris Cavanagh : Serena Williams

The big-hitting American is a crowd favourite and has made her presence felt at Melbourne Park with seven titles in the past 15 years. The fans will miss her but opposition players might not with the women’s field now wide open.

Mick Randall : Serena Williams

Is there any other answer to this question? Seriously, they should just rename it the Serena Williams Trophy. She only has seven of them. Can’t help but marvel about Williams effort to win last year’s title while pregnant. I understand why she’s not here, but I still wish she was.

Gilbert Gardiner : Serena Williams

The face of women’s tennis for almost two decades, Serena’s absence will be felt on and off the court. The 23-time grand slam champion fills stadiums and practice courts, but the Australian Open could have been the perfect background for Williams to join Margaret Court on 24 majors.

AUSSIE THAT WILL GO FURTHEST____________

Jelena Dokic: Nick Kyrgios

He has come into this tournament with great form after winning Brisbane. Ash Barty for the Australian women should go really well.

Leo Schlink : Ash Barty

As arrogant as it is to project ahead, Barty has an inviting draw, even with the presence of Elena Vesnina and world No 1 Simona Halep in her section. Showed positive signs in Sydney.

Nick Smart : Nick Kyrgios

He has been threatening for a while now, but one gets the feeling he is ready for a big one this month.

Lauren Wood : Nick Kyrgios

This guy is the real deal and has the game to match it. Think he can go deep into the second week and really stamp his authority on his home grand slam.

Emily Benammar: Nick Kyrgios

On current form this is a bit of a no brainer to me. He looked phenomenal en route to the title in Brisbane and seems to be enjoying his grand slam build up more so than previous years. With some big name absentees and a golden draw, everything’s looking good for Nick.

Liam Twomey : Nick Kyrgios

This is the year Nick Kyrgios goes from Grand Slam tease to Grand Slam contender. And don’t be surprised if at some stage he even pushes up to Grand Slam champion. Kyrgios looked brilliant in Brisbane and will be there when the whips are cracking. Look out!

Eliza Sewell : Nick Kyrigos

Our boy Nicky, for reasons stated above. Soft spot for Kokkinakis, as well — he’s due a break and some experts had the South Australian ranked above Kyrgios before the former’s injury woes set back his progress. Ash Barty will surely give it a good shake on the women’s side.

Sam Edmund : Nick Kyrgios

Yes there’s pressure, but he’s drawn well, appears settled and is in great form.

Jay Clark : Nick Kyrgios

He can beat the top weights, we know. And his game, or should we say ‘mindset’ is unique. The between-the-legs shot at such a crucial moment last year in the loss to Andreas Seppi was one of the most ridiculous and memorable moments of last year’s tournament.

Kate Salemme: Nick Kyrgios

Kyrgios says last year’s second-round exit left a “bad taste” in his mouth so he’ll be hungry to find his best form at Melbourne Park. With a number of top players battling injury problems, there is an opportunity for Kyrgios to make a deep run. He’s in top form after winning the Brisbane International and loves playing in front of his home crowd.

Scott Gullan: Nick Kyrgios

For reasons outlined above.

Matt Windley : Nick Kyrgios

This could be his time.

Chris Cavanagh : Nick Kyrgios

He’s in good form having climbed back to No. 20 in the rankings and is a real chance to push deep into the second week. But don’t discount Ash Barty, another exciting young player who thrives on the big stage.

Mick Randall : Alex De Minaur

This could go to Nick Kyrgios or Ash Barty but my pick’s De Minaur. In red-hot form at just 18, he’s made the semi-final in Brisbane and the final in Sydney. I know he has Tomas Berdych in the first round, but he can ride his hot form.

Gilbert Gardiner : Nick Kyrgios

Kyrgios broke through for maiden Australian title in Brisbane and looks set to go the distance at Melbourne Park. With luck and fitness, Kyrgios has the weapons and the game to shape the men’s draw.

THE BIGGEST UPSET OF THIS GRAND SLAM COULD BE____________

Jelena Dokic: Alex De Minaur beating Tomas Berdych in the first round

As well as Alex is playing, it’s not expected for him to beat Berdych. The Australian crowd and his form could help him cause a big upset.

Leo Schlink : Venus Williams

Belinda Bencic is in hot form and, while Venus almost toppled Kerber in Sydney, this match has danger stamped all over it.

Nick Smart : Alex De Minaur in round one

The young Aussie is in a bit of form and is feeling confident. Can he do the unthinkable and push Tomas Berdych? It would be great to see.

Lauren Wood: Venus Williams

Last year’s women’s runner-up not seeing out the tournament’s first day. Big Venus Williams fan but Belinda Bencic — fresh from winning the Hopman Cup — is a dangerous prospect on day one in a match that’s really worthy of a later round.

Emily Benammar : Venus out round one?

Belinda Bencic’s world rnaking of 78 doesn’t reflect her talent nor the threat she poses to Venus’ campaign. This will be one of the best matches of round one.

Sam Edmund: Simona Halep

Sent packing by Aussie teenage wildcard Destanee Aiava in the first round. For all her talent, Halep has lost first-up at Melbourne Park in each of the last two years.

Kate Salemme: Simona Halep

It would come as no shock to see current world No. 1 Simona Halep bow out before the second week. Halep has lost in the first round here the last two years and only made it past the opening round three times in seven appearances. She made the quarterfinals in 2014 and 2015 — can she find that form?

Liam Twomey: Juan Martin Del Potro winning it all

Make no mistake about it, Juan Martin Del Potro has what it takes to win this year’s Open.

The big hitting Argentine was one of the form players on the ATP Tour late last year, beating Roger Federer on his way to a US Open semi-final showing. He is a previous slam winner and has the tools to hit anyone off the court.

Eliza Sewell : American leftie Donald Young bringing down Novak Djokovic

The six-time Aussie Open champ missed the last half of the year and will be testing his problem elbow in tournament play first up in a grand slam. Seeded 14th due to his injury lay-off, Young is ranked 63 in the world.

Scott Gullan: Rafael Nadal not making it through the first week.

There’s no inbetween with Rafa. When he’s 100 per cent fit no-one can beat him (Roger aside) but if he’s operating in the 80 to 90 per cent vicinity then he’s vulnerable. No lead-up tournament because of knee soreness has alarm bells ringing.

Jay Clark : Roberto Bautista Agut to claim some scalps

He’s desperately ready to progress to the final four. Consistently competitive and can handle the heat from the top seeds.

Matt Windley : Alex De Minaur beating a seed

The 18-year-old whizz-kid couldn’t have been any more impressive during his runs in Brisbane and Sydney and, with confidence at an all-time high, the young Aussie is not a floater any seed would like to face right now — just ask Milos Raonic.

Chris Cavanagh : Roger Federer not making the semi-finals

The Swiss master and five-time Australian Open winner is firm favourite to win the tournament and has failed to reach the semi-finals just once since 2004, when he suffered a third-round loss to Andreas Seppi.

Mick Randall : Alex De Minaur beating Tomas Berdych

This is a no-brainer. If I’m tipping De Minaur to go furthest in the Open, then I’ve got to go with this. Berdych is a big-serving veteran, ranked 19 in the world. De Minaur is the young upstart and I’m tipping him to teach the old dog some new tricks.

Gilbert Gardiner: Eugenie Bouchard

Forgotten Canadian Bouchard to wind back the clock and go deep in the tournament. A former semi-finalist here, Bouchard could trouble opponents as long as she channels her aggressive style. Far too often the 23-year-old blows chances going for broke and trying to paint the lines.

______________MIGHT NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE FIRST ROUND

Jelena Dokic: Sloane Stephens

The American might not make it through the first round. She has been struggling with injuries.

Leo Schlink : Sam Stosur.

Monic Puig is not only the reigning Olympic singles champion but she is tough and resolute. Difficult match for Australia’s most recent grand slam champion.

Nick Smart : Stan Wawrinka

This may sound crazy, but Wawrinka is battling injury and Ricardas Berankis will have him running ragged.

Lauren Wood: Tomas Berdych

Berdych might not make the second round. Alex De Minaur has gone from strength to strength this summer and is playing with style, flair and confidence. He could cause an opening-round upset.

Emily Benammar : Sloane Stephens

Eighteen-time grand slam winner Chris Evert has questioned Stephens’ appetite for success in the build up to the Australian Open. Not the most ringing of endorsements for the 24-year-old, and when you pair it with the fact she’s not won a match since winning the US Open I cant help but feel she won’t get through round 1 vs. Shuai Zhang.

Sam Edmund : Sloane Stephens

Who knows which Sloane is going to show up?

Liam Twomey: Sloane Stephens

Following her US Open win, Sloane Stephens finished the year on a six match losing streak. That’s not pretty reading. Things aren’t about to get any easier for the American who has copped one of the toughest first round match ups in the draw. Stephens has been drawn to play China’s Shuai Zhang, who is ranked No. 35 in the world. OUCH!

Kate Salemme: Eugenie Bouchard

The Canadian has a cult following in Australia but the Genie Army might need to be out in force at her opening round match because Bouchard isn’t in great form. She lost first up in Hobart and didn’t win any singles matches at the Hopman Cup before finally getting on the board against Aussie Destanee Aiava at Kooyong.

Eliza Sewell: Simona Halep

World No. 1 Simona Halep could meet her Destanee in the first round and not make it through. Narre Warren wunderkind Destanee Aiava is the rank outsider and says she is struggling mentally but history shows the Romanian top dog struggles Down Under — she hasn’t progressed past the quarter-finals and chillingly for favourite backers, she’s lost at the first hurdle in her last two campaigns here.

Scott Gullan: Tomas Berdych might not make it through the first round . . .

Put a fork in the Czech. He may not have heard of Alex De Minaur a couple of weeks ago but the kid is the second coming of Lleyton Hewitt and he will continue his giant-killing ways but tossing Berdych out in a marathon opening round encounter that finishes 23-21 in the fifth set.

Jay Clark : Fernando Verdasco

Get on my man Agut to take down his Spaniard teammate.

Matt Windley : Sam Stosur

I preface this by saying I hope she does because she has been one of my favourite players to watch and I don’t feel she’s got anywhere near the credit she has deserved over the years. But, for whatever reason, the Queenslander does not have a happy relationship with Melbourne Park.

Chris Cavanagh : David Ferrer.

The Spaniard has twice made semi-finals at Melbourne Park and his worst result since 2011 was a third-round exit last year but the former world No. 3 has drawn rising Russian Andrey Rublev in the first round, who has climbed from 156th to 32nd in the rankings in the space of a year and will be no easy beat.

Mick Randall : Sloane Stephens

Sloane Stephens has not won since the breakthrough US Open final and goes into a tough first-round clash with China’s second-best tennis player Shuai Zhang. After being shot out of the Sydney International, Stephens could be in trouble.

Gilbert Gardiner : Tomas Berdych

Controversial and typically goes well here, but Alex De Minaur is playing out of his skin and the big Czech isn’t getting any younger.

_____________COULD BE THE SURPRISE PACKAGE OF THE TOURNAMENT

Jelena Dokic: Angelique Kerber

She could sneak up and win this slam.

Leo Schlink: Xinyu Wang

The youngest player in the field at just 16, Wang is already drawing comparisons with China’s greatest player Li Na.

Nick Smart : Maria Sharapova.

It wouldn’t be a particularly feel-good story, but Sharapova is certainly capable of doing plenty of damage in her return to Melbourne Park.

Lauren Wood : Pablo Carreno Busta:

His 2017 was something to behold, finishing at the ATP Finals, and he looked in fine touch at the Kooyong Classic last week after a stumble in Qatar. If he can put it together and make sure he is attacking, anything could happen.

Emily Benammar : Denis Shapovalov

In the last 12 months this Canadian teenager has climbed over 200 places in the world rankings and is referred to as a giant slayer for good reason. Described by Roger Federer as “a wonder of the future”, the 18-year-old lists Nadal, Del Potro and Tsonga as some of his many big name scalps. One to watch.

Sam Edmund: Alex De Minaur

Because there’s nothing like an underdog Aussie battler to roar on.

Kate Salemme: Dominika Cibulkova

Had a disappointing 2017 but should bounce back. Now ranked 26, she’s better than that and has made the final and quarterfinals in Melbourne before and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her back in the second week. She never gives up — her court coverage is supreme, has great defence and possesses some firepower on her groundstrokes.

Liam Twomey : Denis Shapovalov

Watch out for this kid. He has everything in his kit bag to be a Grand Slam champion.

Shapovalov, 18, made a splash at the US Open, fighting his way through qualifying to go on and make the round of 16. Just two weeks earlier he made the final of the Montreal Masters, beating Juan Martin Del Potro and Rafael Nadal on the way.

Eliza Sewell : Venus Williams

Even older than Roger — she’s 37! — and her 2017 renaissance where she made two Grand Slam finals and a semi was almost as remarkable as the Swiss master’s. No reason why the loose-limbed American can’t go deep here again, especially with lil’ sister Serena staying away.

Scott Gullan: Ajla Tomljanovic

We’re sticking to the Nick Kyrgios theory here. His girlfriend is a serious talent who has been plagued by injury. There have been positive signs in recent weeks and look for her to upset Lucie Safarova in the opening round to then spark a frenzy of Australia’s sporting golden couple stories.

Jay Clark : Alex De Minaur

He’s already reaching cult status after a sparkling start to the Australian tennis season, and a first-round win over Tomas Berdych would be massive for the tough Aussie.

Matt Windley : Madison Keys

If you could call a US Open finalist a surprise packet. But in a similarly open draw to what she experienced in New York last year, Keys has proven herself capable of working her way through a slam draw. The young American will also be keen to ensure her injury-marred US Open final disappointment isn’t her one and only appearance in a major decider.

Chris Cavanagh : Alex De Minaur

It is tough for young players to fight their way through the intensity of a grand slam but the 18-year-old is in such terrific form and brimming with confidence. Drawing 19th seed Tomas Berdych in the first round was not ideal but the Australian will be up for the fight.

Mick Randall : Jaimee Fourlis

Continuing my youth policy, I have this funny feeling Jaimee Fourlis is going to be a superstar of world tennis one day. Made it out of the first round last year and, while still raw at 18, has finished school and can focus on coupling raw power with some precision.

Gilbert Gardiner : Ash Barty

Been a long time between drinks for Aussie women at Melbourne Park but Barry’s got the temperament and mercurial slice backhand to trouble her rivals. Will need luck but the field is wide open without big boppers Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.