Australian Open Women’s Draw: Quarter by Quarter

First Quarter (Williams’ Quarter)

Projected Quarterfinal: (1) Williams vs. (8) Wozniacki
Nightmare Section: Wozniacki section

• The Dane could face Azarenka in Round 2, (25) Zahlavova Strycova (who she lost to in Sydney) in Round 3, and either (11) Cibulkova or (19) Cornet in Round of 16

Popcorn First Round Match: Sloane Stephens vs. Victoria Azarenka

• In 2012, these two played in a controversial semifinal. However, after an injury-filled 2014 for both, they now meet in the opening round.

Young Guns to Watch: (24 ) Garbine Muguruza, (26) Elina Svitolina, Taylor Townsend

Three Things to Consider

1. How will Serena Williams rebound after a shaky performance at the Hopman Cup
2. How will  Caroline Wozniacki’s wrist fair after retiring from her match in Sydney?
3. Will Victoria Azarenka be a serious threat for the title?

Quarterfinal Prediction: Williams vs. Wozniacki
Semifinalist: Williams

Second Quarter (Kvitova’s Quarter)

Projected Quarterfinal: (4) Petra Kvitova vs. (6) Agnieszka Radwanska

Young Guns to Watch: Coco Vandeweghe, Madison Keys, Shelby Rogers

Popcorn First Round Match: (12) Flavia Pennetta vs. Camila Giorgi

Riper with Age: (18) Venus Williams

• After Wililams was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome in 2011, it appeared that her tennis career would be coming to an end. However, at 34 years of age, the veteran American is playing some inspired tennis. After capturing the title in Auckland just one week ago, Wiliams seems poised to make a deep run in Melbourne.

Three Things to Consider

1. Can Kvitova maintain her impressive form? (Fell in 1^st round in 2014)
2. Can Venus reach the second week of a major for the first time since 2011?
3. Can Radwanska make her breakthrough at a major with Navratilova in her box?

Quarterfinal Prediction: Kvitova vs. Williams

Semifinalist: Kvitova

Third Quarter (Halep’s Quarter)

Projected Quarterfinal: (3) Simona Halep vs. (5) Ana Ivanovic

Young Guns to Watch: (22) Karolina Pliskova, (32) Belinda Bencic

Popcorn Fourth Round Match: (5) Ana Ivanovic vs. (10) Ekaterina Makarova

Three Things to Consider

1. Can Ivanovic finally make another deep run at a major?
2. Will Makarova make her fourth consecutive Aussie Open quarterfinal?
3. Will Halep continue her impressive run at the majors?

Quarterfinal Prediction: (10) Ekaterina Makarova vs. (3) Simona Halep

Semifinalist: Makarova

Fourth Quarter (Sharapova’s Quarter)

Projected Quarterfinal: (2) Maria Sharapova vs. (7) Eugiene Bouchard

Young Guns to Watch: Caroline Garcia, Ana Konjuh, (31) Zarina Diyas

Huge Expectations: Eugiene Bouchard

• After a breakout 2014, which began at last year’s Australian Open, Bouchard will be under enormous pressure to emulate her success at the majors. The 20-year-old finished last season with a terrible showing at the WTA Finals, where she won only 11 games in three matches. Expectation has always reeked havoc on the minds of young tennis stars, it will be interesting to see how Bouchard handles it during the fortnight.

Three Things to Consider

1. Can Bouchard rekindle the success she had last year?
2. Can Sharapova maneuver through what is arguably the weakest quarter of the draw?
3. Can Angelique Kerber set up another blockbuster encounter with Maria Sharapova?

Quarterfinal Prediction: (2) Maria Sharapova vs. (9) Angelique Kerber

Semifinalist: Sharapova

Semifinals: Williams def. Kvitova; Sharapova def. Makarova

Final: Williams def. Sharapova