The main draw at the Australian Open is about to get underway, and on the women’s side, there are several serious contenders.
Defending champion Madison Keys will hope to go back-to-back at Melbourne Park, as she kicks off her pursuit of a second major crown.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka, who lost to Keys in the final last year, is looking to reclaim the trophy she won in both 2023 and 2024.
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Meanwhile, American number one Coco Gauff is on the hunt for a maiden Australian Open title and her third Grand Slam overall.
United Cup champion Iga Swiatek is in search of a Career Grand Slam Down Under, but US star Danielle Collins thinks there may be an early exit on the cards for the Pole.
Danielle Collins thinks Iga Swiatek may exit Melbourne early
When asked on Tennis Channel to name a top ten seed who could be on upset alert in the early stages, Collins said: “Oh this is a tough one.
“I think it’s probably no surprise to people who follow tennis but I am going to go with Swiatek.
“I was a little bit concerned with her performance at [the] United Cup. Two back-to-back losses. I think there’s a little bit of trouble in paradise for her right now.”
Though Swiatek ultimately got her hands on the United Cup trophy with Team Poland, her results were not all that convincing.
The six-time major champion won three matches and lost two at the international hard-court event.
She fell to Gauff in Poland’s tie with the US, and was beaten by Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.
Iga Swiatek’s campaign at the Australian Open last year
Swiatek started her 2025 Australian Open campaign with a straightforward win against Katerina Siniakova and followed it up with another easy victory over Rebecca Sramkova.
She faced Emma Raducanu in the third round, and dominated the Briton 6-1, 6-0.
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In round four, Swiatek won her second consecutive match dropping just one game, when she beat Eva Lys 6-0, 6-1.
Swiatek took out eighth seed Emma Navarro convincingly in the quarterfinals to advance to the final four.
Despite tearing through her quarter of the draw, Swiatek was defeated by Keys, with the eventual champion coming back from a set down to triumph.
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