Australian Open Preview – Women’s Draw

<p>Melbourne Park is about to turn into the tennis epicenter of the world, for a fortnight packed full of action and otherworldly athletes.</p> <p>Among these purveyors of athletic excellence will be the world's finest female tennis players.</p> <p>We’ve already <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/australian-open/predictions/2024-betting-tips-mens-draw">previewed and given our tips for the men's side</a> of the 2024 Australian Open draw and now it’s the ladies turn.</p> <p>As has been the norm for the past few years, the women’s side of the draw, unlike the men’s, is incredibly open. Meaning there are a number of different players who can realistically take home the trophy.</p> <p>This means there is plenty of potential value for punters who are looking to pick the winner of the women’s bracket this year.</p> <p>To ensure you’re familiar with all the favourites, under the radar options and the Aussies with the nation’s hopes on their shoulders, we’ve created this extensive Australian Open 2024 guide.</p> <p>For all the latest analysis, predictions and odds for the women’s draw of the upcoming 2024 Australian Open, check out our Aus Open preview&nbsp;below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Preview&nbsp;– The Favourites</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Iga Swiatek</strong></em></p> <p>It should be no surprise that the current world no.1 is also the current favourite for this year’s Australian Open crown.</p> <p>A clay expert, of Swiatek’s four Grand Slam titles, three have come at the French Open. She also won the US Open, which like this tournament, is played on hardcourt.</p> <p>The 22-year-old has never made it past the semifinals at Melbourne Park, but based on the odds, many believe this is the year she not only makes it past the final four, but goes on to lift the trophy.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Aryna Sabalenka</strong></em></p> <p>The current Aus Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka will be looking to defend her crown come January 14.</p> <p>The 25-year-old’s triumph last year at Melbourne Park was her first Grand Slam win and she went on to make at least the final four of the three other majors in 2023.</p> <p>The biggest red flag for those looking to back Sabalenka is the fact that no lady has gone back-to-back at the Australian Open for a decade. The last person to do it? Fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Elena Rybakina</strong></em></p> <p>Last year’s beaten finalist Elena Rybakina will be looking to go one better this time around.</p> <p>The biggest thing to come out of Kazakhstan since Borat himself, no doubt Elena will be hoping her time Down Under is very nice this year.</p> <p>She knows how to win a Slam, doing so in 2022 at Wimbledon and will have learnt plenty of lessons from her grand final defeat to Sabalenka last Aus Open. Of all the favourites, Rybakina presents the best value for us.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Coco Gauff</strong></em></p> <p>They grow up so fast. Ok, so American sensation Coco Gauff is technically still a teenager, but she is also now a Grand Slam Champion.</p> <p>The 19-year-old won the US Open last year, defeating Sabalenka in three sets, becoming the first American teenager to win the title since Serena Williams in 1999.</p> <p>Since Gauff has been on tour since 2019 she has the rare combination of youth and experience, this coupled with her hardcourt prowess should put her in good stead to do some serious damage at this year’s Australian Open.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Preview&nbsp;– Under the Radar Options</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Naomi Osaka</strong></em></p> <p>It’s crazy to think that two-time Australian Open Champion Naomi Osaka is an under the radar option.</p> <p>Her long odds are due to the hiatus she took last year as she welcomed her first child into the world.</p> <p>The new mother will no doubt be looking to put on a show in her return to professional tennis and we subscribe to the old adage that “form is temporary, class is permanent.”</p> <p>We expect that sentiment to ring true for Osaka who, when in top form, is easily the best female tennis player on the planet.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Ons Jabeur</strong></em></p> <p>Tunisian veteran Ons Jabeur will be looking to finally land a grand slam victory when she arrives at Melbourne Park later this month.</p> <p>She’s lost all three major finals she’s made, including the last two Wimbledon showdowns.</p> <p>She’s never made it past the quarterfinals Down Under, but is this the year she makes it stick? She certainly has the weapons to make a splash.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Emma Raducanu</strong></em></p> <p>After that famous US Open triumph, Emma Raducanu has endured a torrid time in the spotlight.</p> <p>Dogged by injuries and the weight of expectation, she has failed to assert herself among the racquet wielding elite.</p> <p>Thankfully she still has time on her side and at only 21 years of age is capable of anything, including adding the Australian Open crown to her trophy cabinet.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Preview&nbsp;– Aussie Hopefuls</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Ajla Tomljanovic</strong></em></p> <p>Since the retirement of Ash Barty, the torch for women’s tennis in Australia has been carried by one person in particular.</p> <p>That person is Ajla Tomljanovic, and this year will be no different. With only wildcards flying the flag with her, the weight of Aussie expectation will be firmly on her shoulders. Can she deliver? Watch this space.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Kimberly Birrell</strong></em></p> <p>The first of these wildcards is Gold Coast local Kimberly Birrell. Don’t let the nature of her entry fool you, in 2019 she advanced to the third round at Melbourne Park.</p> <p>With the boisterous home crowd behind her, anything could happen this time around.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Olivia Gadecki</strong></em></p> <p>The final Aussie hopeful in the women’s draw is another wildcard – Olivia Gadecki. Another Gold Coast native, still only 21, Gadecki showed plenty of promise last Aus Open, making it out of the first round.</p> <p>She’ll look to build on that performance later this month and rep the Green and Gold while she does.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open 2024 Dates &amp; Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Dates:</strong> January 14 – January 28.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Melbourne, Australia.</p> <p><strong>Arena: </strong>Melbourne Park.</p> <p><strong>Prize money:</strong> $AU86.5 million.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open 2024 Odds – Women’s Draw</h2>

<p>Fancy a flutter on the Australian Open 2024? Check out our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-on-tennis">How to Bet on Tennis</a> guide first.</p>