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Australian Open 2021 Predictions: Top 7 Women's Singles Contenders: Statistical Analysis
Australian Open 2021 Countdown (5 days to go)
The first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open is all set to begin in a few days at Melbourne Park. Most of the players have completed their quarantine and are taking part in the ongoing Yarra Valley Classic and the Gippsland Trophy. Another tournament, the Grampians trophy will begin on February 3.
Sportco analyzes the Australian Open 2021 predictions for women's singles and the leading favorites to win the championship and the stats that will play a major role in their respective campaigns
1 - Simona Halep
The World number 2 reached the semifinals last year losing to eventual runner-up Garbine Muguruza in straight sets. She is currently taking part in the Gippsland Trophy.
She began her campaign beating Anastasia Potapova in the round of 32 and will face 16th seed Laura Siegemund next. Halep is also playing doubles in the tournament alongside Daria Gavrilova.
Her main strengths lie in aggressive counterpunching and deft touches. The Romanian's perfect blend of offence and defense along with her topspin forehand helps her to control most of the rallies.
If her first serve stays strong and she does not make many double faults, Halep will have a deep run in the tournament.
The Sportco Australian Open 2021 predictions see the Romanian as of the favorites for the Women's Singles crown.
Some crucial statistics that set the tone for Halep's success are
| Player Name | Simona Halep |
| Best Performance in AO | Runner-up in 2018 |
| Win-loss record at Melbourne Park | 24-10 |
| First Serve % | 68.70% |
| Break Points Saved | 57.70% |
| Service Games Won | 69.30% |
2 - Sofia Kenin
Sofia Kenin created history last year in Melbourne by winning her maiden grand slam. She also made it to the French Open finals in 2020 losing to Iga Swiatek.
Currently, the American is taking part in the Yarra Valley Classic. She began her campaign winning against Camila Giorgi after getting a walkover with a lead of 7-5. The second seed will face compatriot, Jessica Pegula next.
Kenin is a ferocious striker of the ball and can raise her level of game even under pressure. Her backhand is her crucial weapon as it can wear down opponents.
The American is another top contender in the Australian Open 2021 predictions for the Women's Singles category.
The stats below disclose when Kenin is at her absolute best.
| Player Name | Sofia Kenin |
| First Serve % | 68.80% |
| Break Points Saved | 62.40% |
| Service Games Won | 75.30% |
| First Serve Points Won | 66.30% |
3 - Naomi Osaka
The World number 3 won the Australian Open in 2019. She suffered a shocking defeat in straight sets in the third round to Cori Gauff last year. She thrashed Alize Cornet 6-2 6-2 in the round of 32 at the Gippsland Trophy. The Japanese player will face Britain's Katie Boulter next.
Osaka is an aggressive baseliner and her heavy forehands along with her two-handed backhand help her to take full control of the rallies. It is very tough to break her serve when she gets going in full flow. She has tough mental strength and can make stunning comebacks from precarious situations.
The Sportco Australian Open 2021 predictions can see the American going a long way in the tournament.
The below-mentioned figures reveal when Osaka is virtually unstoppable
| Player Name | Naomi Osaka |
| First Serve Points | 75.40% |
| Service Points Won | 65.90% |
| Break Points Saved | 70.80% |
| Service Games Won | 85.70% |
4 - Ashleigh Barty
Barty was the top seed in the 2020 edition of the tournament. She bowed out in the semifinals losing to eventual champion, Kenin in straight sets. Currently playing in the Yarra Valley Classic, the Australian won 6-3 6-3 against Ana Bogdan. She will take on 16th seed Marie Bouzkova in the pre-quarterfinals.
Barty is a clever tactician and can vary the pace of her shots to trick her opponents. She can hit her forehand both cross-court and down the line. Sharp angles can be created by her using her backhand slice and her excellent volleying skills helps her to finish off points at the net.
The current World No.1 would be an obvious favorite to win in the Women's Singles category as per the Sportco Australian Open 2021 predictions and her stats.
The key indicators that will uplift Barty's performance are
| Player Name | Ashleigh Barty |
| First Serve Points | 73.40% |
| Service Points Won | 64.10% |
| Breakpoints Saved | 65.90% |
| Service Games Won | 81.60% |
5 - Serena Williams
The 23-time grand slam champion will go for a record-equalling 24th once again. Serena has lost in her last 4 grand slam finals but that has not let her competitive spirit go down.
The American legend crashed out in the third round last year losing to 27th seed Qiang Wang in 3 sets. She recently mentioned that her recovery from the Achilles injury was possible only due to the postponement of the Australian Open by 3 weeks.
Featuring in the Yarra Valley Classic, the former World number 1 beat Daria Gavrilova 6-1 6-4. She will lock horns against Tsvetana Pironkova in the round of 16.
Serena's main weakness is the below-par second serve that lets her down when her first serve is not firing. She can be off-color against opponents who play trick shots and take the ball on the rise. If her serve stays strong, she can be sharp. Her approach shots can unsettle her rivals.
We simply could not exclude this Tennis Legend from our Australian Open 2021 Predictions for the top contenders to lift the crown.
The important numbers that will enhance Serena's chances of winning
| Player Name | Serena Williams |
| First Serve Points | 72.70% |
| Service Points Won | 63.60% |
| Break Points Saved | 70.10% |
| Service Games Won | 82.80% |
6 - Karolina Pliskova
2021 should be the year when the highly talented Pliskova ends her grand slam drought. Having lost in the third round in straight sets to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova last year, she will be inching to go for a deep run this time. Her best performance in the tournament has been a semifinal finish in 2019.
Pliskova outlasted Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3 6-2 in the opening round of the Yarra Valley Classic. The Czech will face 13th seed Danielle Collins in the pre-quarterfinals. Hence, the Czech is the 6th favorite on our list for the Australian Open 2021 Predictions for top contenders.
Her big serve and powerful groundstrokes can trouble opponents. Her forehand is on the weaker side and she can make a lot of unforced errors while struggling. Pliskova is good at the net with sharp volleying.
The different yardsticks that will determine the progress of Pliskova this year
| Player Name | Karolina Pliskova |
| First Serve Points | 71% |
| Service Points Won | 61.90% |
| Breakpoints Saved | 66.20% |
| Service Games Won | 79.10% |
7 - Elina Svitolina
Seeded 5th in the 2020 Australian Open, Svitolina was crushed 6-1 6-2 by Muguruza in the third round. Playing in the Gippsland Trophy, the Ukrainian overcame Andre Petkovic 6-1 6-4 in the round of 32 and will take on 13th seed Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 16.
Her deep groundstrokes coupled up with her lightning-fast movement make her a deadly player when she is in form. She operates mainly from the baseline with her topspin heavy forehand and flat backhand. Her down-the-line backhand is one of the best in the game.
The critical stats that Svitolina needs to focus on
| Player Name | Elina Svitolina |
| First Serve Points | 65.90 % |
| Service Points Won | 58.30 % |
| Breakpoints Saved | 59.60% |
| Service Games Won | 68.40% |
The above-mentioned players will have their task cut out in the Australian Open. They will have to deal with the high expectations of their die-hard fans, the media pressure, and adapting to a bio-bubble environment.
Who is your favorite to win the Australian Open Women's Singles Title? Let us know with your comments.
Featured Image Credits - Visual China Group (VCG)
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