Australian Open 2016: Women’s preview

WTA rank

Serena Williams

(USA)

Age:

34

Simona Halep

(ROM)

24

World No.1 looking for fresh start

having not competed since shattering

defeat at U.S. Open. Persistent knee

injury could be biggest threat to

equalling Steffi Graf’s major record

Needs consistency in Grand Slams

after disappointing early exits in 2015

– swift defeat by Flavia Pennetta in

U.S. Open semi-final prolonged

wait for maiden major title

Garbine Muguruza

(ESP)

22

Maria Sharapova

(RUS)

28

Aiming to develop attacking gameplay

to build on impressive breakthrough

season, including first Grand Slam

final at Wimbledon and first Premier

Mandatory title in China

Staying healthy will be crucial if 2008

Australian champion is to mount

sustained challenge for major titles

this season – won last Grand Slam

crown at Roland Garros in 2014

Williams

Halep

Muguruza

Sharapova

PLAYER RECORD

53-3

5

69

49-15

3

11

38-18

1

2

39-9

2

35

2015 win-loss

2015 titles

Career titles

Grand Slams

21

0

0

5

Source: WTA

Data correct as of Jan 7

Pictures: Getty Images

© GRAPHIC NEWS

Australian Open 2016: Women’s preview

WTA rank

Serena Williams

Age

Simona Halep

24

United States

34

Romania

World No.1 looking for fresh

start having not competed

since shattering defeat at

U.S. Open. Persistent knee

injury could be biggest

threat to equalling Steffi

Graf’s major record

Needs consistency in

majors after disappointing

early exits in 2015 – swift

defeat by Flavia Pennetta

in U.S. Open semi-final

prolonged wait for maiden

Grand Slam title

Williams

Halep

PLAYER RECORDS

53-3

5

69

49-15

3

11

2015 win-loss

2015 titles

Career titles

Grand Slams

21

0

Garbine Muguruza

22

Maria Sharapova

28

Spain

Russia

Aiming to develop attacking

gameplay to build on

impressive breakthrough

season, including first

Grand Slam final at

Wimbledon and first Premier

Mandatory title in China

Staying healthy will be

crucial if 2008 Australian

champion is to mount

sustained challenge for

major titles this season –

won last Grand Slam

at Roland Garros in 2014

Muguruza

Sharapova

38-18

1

2

39-9

2

35

2015 win-loss

2015 titles

Career titles

Grand Slams

0

5

Source: WTA

Data correct as of Jan 7

© GRAPHIC NEWS

Australian

Open 2016:

Women’s preview

WTA rank

Serena Williams

(USA)

Age:

34

World No.1 looking for fresh start

having not competed since defeat

at U.S. Open. Persistent knee

injury could be biggest threat to

equalling Steffi Graf’s major record

Simona Halep

(ROM)

24

Needs consistency in Grand Slams

after disappointing early exits in

2015 – swift defeat by Flavia

Pennetta in U.S. Open semi-final

prolonged wait for maiden major title

Williams

Halep

RECORDS

53-3

5

69

49-15

3

11

2015 win-loss

2015 titles

Career titles

Grand Slams

21

0

Garbine Muguruza

(ESP)

22

Aiming to develop attacking

gameplay to build on impressive

breakthrough season, including first

Grand Slam final at Wimbledon and

first Premier Mandatory title in China

Maria Sharapova

(RUS)

28

Staying healthy will be crucial if

2008 Australian champion is to

mount challenge for major titles this

season – won last Grand Slam

crown at Roland Garros in 2014

Muguruza

Sharapova

38-18

1

2

39-9

2

35

2015 win-loss

2015 titles

Career titles

Grand Slams

0

5

Source: WTA

Pictures: Getty Images

Data correct as of Jan 7

© GRAPHIC NEWS