It’s Australian Open time! While the men have been busy playing team tennis at the ATP Cup, the women have been getting back into the mix of things by playing warm up tournaments at Brisbane, Auckland, and Adelaide. Unlike the men, who’s top six players are all the true contenders for the title, it’s a bit different for the women. The women have been a little more unpredictable in the last year. While Djokovic and Nadal split the four Grand Slams last year, there was a different winner in all four Grand Slams for the women.

After Osaka won the Australian, many thought she’d establish herself as number one and go on a run. It was not to be with Barty winning the French, Halep winning Wimbledon and Andreescu the US Open. One can argue that the most consistent player at slams was Serena, reaching the quarters at the Australian and two straight finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. So, who are the favorites then?

9. Serena Williams: She’s the clear favorite in my opinion. People can say that Halep and Andreescu played unbelievable against her in those finals, but I think nerves on the part of Serena were the actual culprit. If you’ve been paying attention to women’s tennis, you’ll notice that Serena has been in Australia for a few weeks now, and also picked up her first title since the 2017 Australian Open at Auckland. She’s going to be ready at the Australian, so look out.

3. Naomi Osaka: after Serena, Osaka is my second favorite, she has been finding her game again, and posting some good results. When she’s playing well, I don’t see many people beating Osaka. Unless that person’s last name starts with a W.

8. Petra Kvitova: she’s a natural striker, and our finalist last year. She’s due for another Grand Slam. She’s consistently going deep in tournaments and can be very dangerous in the later rounds. If the draw opens up for her, she’ll take the advantage.

1.Ashleigh Barty: I just don’t think she’s been as consistent since winning the French. Sure, she took the WTA Finals Title to go with the French Open, but she did not look strong at Wimbledon or the US Open. Plus, the WTA Finals was plagued with injuries throughout.

4. Simona Halep: Halep can be a conundrum. She should have gone deep at the French but was upset by Anisimova, then she comes out of nowhere to win at Wimbledon. Nobody expected that. She then gets upset at the US Open and has a lackluster final four months of the year. All that being said, she’s back with her coach Darren Cahill and she has reached the final down under. I can see her losing in the first round or going deep. Don’t see her winning though.

2. Karolina Pliskova: as natural a player as she is, and the fact that on a good day she can beat anyone, the problem with Pliskova is that I don’t think she can beat multiple top players in a two-week span. If the draw opens for her, she has a chance.

So, in sum, look for Williams and Osaka in the final. If Andreescu was playing I’d pick her as a favorite as well.