Australian Open 2020


On Monday, the Australian Open first round will being. In this blog, I preview the tournament and give my predictions, along with those of Tommy and Gareth. Coming into the first slam of the year, many people have called for it to be pushed back, due to the bush fires that are currently devastating Australia. The tournament, has already received a lot of criticism after many players struggled in qualifying due to poor air quality. The air quality was so bad that Dalila Jakupovic had to retire from her qualifying match after suffering from a coughing fit and struggling to breath because of it. For me, the players safety should be put first and if the environment is not safe, they should not be going out to play their matches.

Last years tournament was won by Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic, both of whom are amongst the favourites to take the title. Osaka faces Marie Bouzkova in the first round, a match in which I believe she will win. Djokovic faces German player Jan-Lennard Stuff, on Rod Laver, I will be very surprised if Djokovic does not win this in straights.



Away from the previous champions, there are a number of players who could go on to take the title. Australian, Ash Barty is top seed, and has the backing of the home crowd. She faces Lesia Tsurenko on Monday in a match where she should win. Caroline Wozniacki will be looking to go out on a high, at her last ever Grand Slam. The Dane, and former Australian Open champion plays Kristie Ahn in her opening match. Other notable names to look out for in the woman's draw include, Serena Williams, Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina, all of whom could go far.

Wozniacki announced her retirement towards the end of last year

On the ATP tour, Roger Federer will be looking to add another slam title to his collection. The Swiss player faces Steve Johnson in the first round. World number Rafael Nadal has been in amazing form over the past year, and is someone who I always think can win a title. He faces Hugo Dellien in the first round, a match in which he should win in straight sets. Other names to look out for include Nick Kyrgios who is always so unpredictable on his day he can be an amazing player!. Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka and Daniil Medvedev are also some players who could go on to do well.

For me,the most notable match from the round one draws is:

Venus Williams v Coco "Cori" Gauff- 
A rematch after their battle at Wimbledon last year. Gauff upset her idol in that match and then went on to win her first WTA title later in the year. Williams is still playing at the top level despite being 39 years of age and struggling with illness for many years. It's tough to call this one but I think this time around, Williams will get the victory.

Williams and Gauff after their match at Wimbledon

What I love most about Grand Slams is that they are never the same, each year there is always one player who goes on a run or player that fall early on that no one would ever predict. I think the Australian Open will be no different and there will be a few surprises along the way. I'm looking forward to two weeks of top quality tennis, even if it means my sleeping pattern will be a mess, but as us tennis fans say...sleep is for the weak!.

TGS Predictions:

Sian: 
Winners- Novak Djokovic & Simona Halep
First seeds to fall- Milos Raonic & Sloane Stephens
Dark Horse- Stan Wawrinka & Maria Sakkari
Unseeded player to go the furthest- Alexander Bublik & Caroline Wozniacki

Tommy: 
Winners- Novak Djokovic & Serena Williams
First seeds to fall- Fabio Fognini & Jo Konta
Dark Horse- Stan Wawrinka & Amanda Anisimova
Unseeded player to go the furthest- Marin Cilic & Iga Swiatek

Gareth:
Winners- Rafael Nadal & Ash Barty
First seeds to fall- Roberto Bautista Agut & Donna Vekic
Dark Horse- Felix Auger Aliassime & Madison Keys
Unseeded player to go the furthest- Marin Cilic & Julia Goerges

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