AUS Open 2020

AUS Open (Jany 20 – Feb 2) is the first Grand Slam tournament.

Here is my Aus Open preview ahead of two weeks of top-class tennis in Melbourne.

Men`s singles:

Favourites:
1. Djokovic is second seeded after Nadal, but the Serb is my clear favourite! He won title last season and has won eight championships in Melbourne. Nole played very well at the ATP Cup winning Nadal in straight sets.

2. Nadal is Nole´s biggest challenger. Rafa won US Open title in 2019 and is still very dangerous player in every surfaces. And like we all know Rafa never gives up!

Challenger:

1. Roger Federer is not at the top 3 on bookies, but is 3rd seeded. 38 years old Swiss is still going strong and always dangerous especially Grand Slams. He is my only real challenger to Nole and Rafa.

Black horses:

1. 4th seeded Medvedev was on the US Open final. Young pretender was convinced on ATP Cup winning four matches and lost 1-2 to Nole. He will be high on this year´s AUS Open.

2. Tsitsipas is 6th seeded, but has been quite unstable during the start of the season. But he won surprisingly ATP Finals 2019 and is certainly edging closer to his breakout moment on the tour!

Women´s singles:

Favourites:

1. Serena Williams is just 8th seeded, but two on bookies outright winner list. She is 23 time Grand Slam winner and still as 38 years age very dangerous palyer wigh his powerful play. She is my favourite #1.

2. Asleigh Barty is WTA ranking #1 and also 1st seeded here. Surprisingly Aussie is just 5th on bookies list!She was on the quarter-finals here last season. She would become the first Aussie champion since Chris O’Neil in 1977!

Challengers:

 1. Karolina Pliskova won title on Brisbane about a week ago beating playwers like Oska and Keys. The 27-year-old Czech is one of the most consistent performers on the circuit. She has reached reached two quarter-finals and a semi-final since 2017.

2. Simona Halep is 4th seeded here. A former finalist at Albert Park, Halep stumbled against Serena Williams in the fourth round last season. She is playing ati Adelaide this week.

Black horses:

1.Naomi Osaka is WTA ranking #3 and also 3rd seeded here. The defending champion’s chances can’t be dismissed lightly. After bringing her father back as temporary coach after crashing out of the US Open she won the title in the China Open.

2. Caroline Wozniacki is unseeded player. But is very determined to success cause she has announced to retire after this tournament!