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