Australian Open women’s draw: Simona Halep and Serena Williams in same quarter

World No 1 Simona Halep and Serena Williams could meet in the fourth round of the Australian Open while defending champion Caroline Wozniacki is on an early collision course with Maria Sharapova.
Reigning French Open champion Halep has been given a tough opening match as she will face Kaia Kanepi, who beat her in the first-round at the US Open in August.
The Romanian could face Venus Williams in the third round while a potential clash against Serena Williams awaits in the fourth round.
Twenty-three time Grand Slam winner Serena is up against Tatjana Maria of Germany first up while she could face Eugenie Bouchard in the second round.
US Open champion Naomi Osaka, who faces Poland’s Magda Linette, and seventh seed Karolina Pliskova are in the same quarter of the top half of the draw.
#AusOpen Women's Singles seeds (was missing Tsurenko for some reason, sorry) pic.twitter.com/YRr6lbA5U4
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 6, 2019
In the bottom half of the draw, defending champion Wozniacki faces Alison Van Uytvanck while 2008 winner Sharapova, who is up against a qualifier in her opening encounter, could await in round three.
Meanwhile, 2016 champion Angelique Kerber will face Polona Hercog while a fourth-round clash against fellow German Julia Goerges is on the cards.
Australian Open women's draw: pic.twitter.com/I33Q0JKvdI
— 🎾 Tennis on telly 📺🇬🇧 (@tennisontelly) January 10, 2019
Should Kerber get to the quarter-final, then 2018 US Open winner Sloane Stephens, who faces fellow American Taylor Townsend in her opener, could be her opponent.
As for the British continent, Johanna Konta opens up against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, who beat her in the Brisbane International last week, Heather Watson faces 31st seed Petra Martic and Katie Boulter is up against world No 57 Ekaterina Makarova.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Ten facts about Kyle Edmund on his birthday, featuring Liverpool, Ricky Ponting and Drake
-
Top 10 biggest questions ahead of 2019 season – what next for Roger Federer?
-
Tennis betting preview: Alex de Minaur to wow fans again in Sydney
-
Tennis365’s A to Z of tennis for December: An ‘arrogant’ Lleyton Hewitt, a Fedal reunion and more
-
-
Latest
-
Kevin Palmer
Exclusive – Coaching legend Nick Bollettieri on the new tool that could transform the game
In the opinion of tennis coaching legend Nick Bollettieri, Slinger Bag has a huge role to play in what comes next at all levels of the game.
-
WTA Tour
World No.1 Ashleigh Barty is beaten in straight sets in shock defeat
Unseeded Spaniard Paula Badosa upset world number one Ashleigh Barty in straight sets to progress to the semi-finals.
-
Kevin Palmer
Exclusive – Coaching legend Nick Bollettieri on the looming crisis in tennis
Legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri believes tennis needs to rebrand the sport quickly to avoid a huge drop off in interest.
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal kept apart in draw for Monte Carlo Masters
Novak Djokovic has avoided a possible meeting with Rafael Nadal until the final of the Monte Carlo Masters.
-
Tennis Features
Daniil Medvedev needs strong clay-court season after previous struggles on the red dirt
Daniil Medvedev eyes fix for his clay woes, writes Oli Jefford.
-
ATP Tour
‘I am really happy proud of myself,’ says Lorenzo Musetti after saving four match points against Dan Evans
Musetti fights back to see off Evans in Sardegna.
-
WTA Tour
Ashleigh Barty and Coco Gauff roll on in Charleston, Garbine Muguruza bows out through injury
Wins for Barty and Gauff, but Muguruza out.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s father takes fresh swipe at Roger Federer, saying Swiss great is ‘not a good man’
Srdjan Djokovic has another go at Roger Federer.
-
French Open
French player hits out at French Open postponement, saying ‘it’s a pretty selfish decision’
Alize Cornet unimpressed by French Open delay.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, to work with rising star Felix Auger-Aliassime
Toni Nadal joins coaching set-up of Felix Auger-Aliassime