Five bold predictions: AO2018

Breakthrough champions and superstar comebacks are among those who could light up AO2018. Here are five bold predictions for an exciting fortnight ahead.

1. Aussie charge: a Barty quarterfinal and Kyrgios into semis

The legion of home fans out to support the green and gold at the Australian Open will be buoyed by two soaring stars.

On the women’s side, Ashleigh Barty is poised for a breakout run at Melbourne Park.

Last year was a simply sublime season from the 21-year-old, who started 2017 at world No.271 and not only finished as the top-ranked Aussie at world No.19, but inside the doubles top 20 too.

Barty, who clinched a maiden WTA title in May in Malaysia, clearly thrives under the guidance of coach Craig Tyzzer, who has helped her add the tactics and belief that complement her raw skill.

Following a finals run in Sydney, a second-week ticket is surely on the menu and if a few higher seeds tumble, I see Barty making a quarterfinal run.

Amazing feeling making a final at home but too good tonight, @AngeliqueKerber. Looking forward to Melbourne! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/R0Qxo8Lr19

— Ash Barty (@ashbar96) January 13, 2018

Over to the men’s and it’s time for Nick Kyrgios to unleash his magic in Melbourne.

The 2015 quarterfinalist has burst out of the blocks in 2018, appearing focused and showing a devastating conviction in all his shots.

In Brisbane, Kyrgios lifted the trophy with a standout comeback over three sets against defending champion Grigor Dimitrov.

The 22-year-old can already boast victories over Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. Will he fear anyone in the draw? Unlikely.

A maiden major semifinal is on the cards.

2.Kerber back in the groove for title No.2

It will be incredibly difficult for Venus Williams to repeat her run to the silverware showdown, while world No.1 Simona Halep has failed to clear the first hurdle in her last two Melbourne appearances.

Also, Garbine Muguruza hasn’t gone past the final eight and the rejuvenated Wozniacki was last in the semifinals in 2011.

Basically, there is a lot of scope for shocks and surprises.

“2018 is a new start, I can say goodbye to 2017, which is a good thing,” said Angelique Kerber, only semi-joking, at the Hopman Cup.

The German, who triumphed in 2016 at Melbourne Park, endured a torrid 2017 but under the tutelage of renowned coach Wim Fissette, Kerber is back in the groove.

In Perth, the 29-year-old was back to clattering piercing winners from corner to corner and won all her four singles contests in straight sets. And Sydney was an even bigger confidence boost, as Kerber surged to an 11th career title and first since the 2016 US Open.

Memories will come flooding back at Melbourne Park. A confident Kerber is a dangerous prospect and title No.2 is a bold but realistic call.

…that winning feeling ???????????????? @SydneyTennis #TeamAngie #????11 pic.twitter.com/YNpKdUh1sM

— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) January 13, 2018

3. Goffin undetected

It’s almost impossible to predict how former champions Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka will fare.

Injuries curtailed each their 2017 seasons post-Wimbledon, which means there’ll be inevitable rust.

Adding to the challenge, the new restricted service motion that Djokovic at the Kooyong Classic will take time to implement against the world’s best.

Away from the usual suspects, including gladiators Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, I see David Goffin staking a claim for a final ticket.

He’s only been as far as the quarterfinals in major action, but a bigger result is brewing. Two titles in Tokyo and Shenzhen sparked a stunning end to 2017. He won both his singles in a heroic Davis Cup final showing, before navigating past both Nadal and Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals.

He might not have the weapons of other top players, but his versatility is yielding results.

Goffin maintained this form at the recent Hopman Cup. He dismantled world No.4 Sascha Zverev as a marquee victory, without dropping a set in Perth.

While the Belgian is rarely touted as a Grand Slam contender, 2018 could well change that.

Can’t wait for the @AustralianOpen to start ???????? #IMoveMe #ASICSTennis pic.twitter.com/6eGwdJGCYf

— David Goffin (@David__Goffin) January 10, 2018

 4.Women who’ll surprise

With Serena Williams relinquishing the title, there is no shortage of contenders poised to pounce.

During a decade on tour, Julia Goerges has never been beyond the fourth round of a major. It’s 39 and counting, so you might be surprised that the German is one of my picks to cause a Melbourne upset.

Riding high at a career-best world No.12, the rangy German scooped two titles last year and has carried momentum into 2018.
She struck 41 winners to edge past world No.2 Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 7-6(4) to clinch the Auckland title.

Confidence is oozing, the smile is beaming and the second week is well within reach.

Belinda Bencic is another name ready to rocket back into major contention.

While 2017 was an injury-blighted year, 15 consecutive wins at season’s end yielded three straight titles.

The Swiss was ecstatic to team successfully with Roger Federer at the Hopman Cup and is determined to use their title run as a springboard for the season ahead.

Among two top-20 victories for the 20-year-old laid was one over world No.10 CoCo Vandeweghe 7-6(6) 6-4, a semifinalist at AO2017.

It showed the Bencic buzz is back and with few expectations, perhaps the Swiss can swing freely to edge past 2017 finalist Venus Williams in the opening round as a catalyst to surge to the semis.

5.Shapovalov to shine

Hyeon Chung prevailed in the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, but it’s a Canadian teenage sensation set to sizzle in Melbourne.

Former junior Wimbledon champion Denis Shapovalov has already defeated Nadal and cracked the Top 50.

The 2017 ATP Most Improved Player will deploy his flamboyant game and glorious single-handed backhand to bring a certain swagger to the tournament.

He’s box office, fearless and I forecast the 18-year-old as the last ‘Next Gen’ prospect standing.