MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: Aryna Sabalenka reacts to defeating Qinwen Zheng of China in the womens singles final on Day 14 of the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Tennis | Australian Open 2025 | Women’s Draw Preview

By Tony Fairbairn

  • Aryna Sabalenka aims for a hat-trick of Australian Open titles in Melbourne while in-form Coco Gauff looks to stop the world number one in her tracks.
  • Top Seeds: Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini
  • British Interest: Katie Boulter [22], Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal, Jodie Burrage [PR]
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – World number one Aryna Sabalenka bids to win her third consecutive Australian Open title in Melbourne while the in-form Coco Gauff looks to stop the defending champion in her tracks.

 

Browse the Britwatch Sports Amazon Page for our latest Tennis Equipment recommendations

 

[1] Aryna Sabalenka

Embed from Getty Images

Best Result: Champion (2023, 2024)

Undisputed world number one Sabalenka is now aiming for a third consecutive Australian Open title and enters the first Grand Slam of the season having claimed the title in Brisbane.

Sabalenka’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

  • R1: Sloane Stephens | H2H: Sabalenka leads 4-0
  • R2: Jessica Bouzas Maneiro | H2H: First Meeting
  • R3: Linda Noskova [29] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 1-0
  • R4: Mirra Andreeva [14] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 3-1
  • QF: Qinwen Zheng [5] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 5-0
  • SF: Coco Gauff [3] | H2H: Gauff leads 5-4
  • F: Iga Swiatek [2] | H2H: Swiatek leads 8-4

A challenging opening round against Sloane Stephens could provide the world number one with an early test although the former US Open champion is far away from her previous glory days. In the second round Sabalenka could face Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal before Linda Noskova or Auckland champion Clara Tauson awaits in the third round. Another battle with rising star Mirra Andreeva could await in the last 16 while a rematch of last year’s final against Qinwen Zheng could await in the quarter-finals. A big showdown in the semi-finals against Gauff could determine who goes on to win the title. Overall this is a good draw for Sabalenka but the form of Gauff suggests that completing the Australian Open hat-trick could be easier said than done.

 

[2]  Iga Swiatek

Embed from Getty Images

Best Result: Semi-Final (2022) 

Swiatek ended 2024 on a disappointing note and has had to overcome off-court controversy and distractions to enter the 2025 season in the best possible shape but with a new coach and another United Cup final under her belt, the Pole will believe this is the year for her to crack Melbourne.

Swiatek’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

  • R1: Katerina Siniakova | H2H: First Meeting
  • R2: Rebecca Sramkova | H2H: First Meeting
  • R3: Ekaterina Alexandrova [26] | H2H: Swiatek leads 3-2
  • R4: Anna Kalinskaya [13] | H2H: Kalinskaya leads 1-0
  • QF: Emma Navarro [8] | H2H: Swiatek leads 1-0
  • SF: Jasmine Paolini [4] | H2H: Swiatek leads 3-0
  • F: Aryna Sabalenka [1] | H2H: Swiatek leads 8-4

Swiatek has a very tough first round in the form of the experienced Katerina Siniakova who ended the 2024 season as the world number one in doubles. Should Swiatek get past Rebecca Sramkova in the second round, the Pole could face Amanda Anisimova, Emma Raducanu or Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round. A last 16 tie against Anna Kalinskaya could prove tricky but the Pole will fancy her chances in a quarter-final against either Emma Navarro or Daria Kasatkina. A semi-final against either former finalist Elena Rybakina or current Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini could be a big indicator as to how competitive she will be in the final. In general as long as Swiatek can avoid a scare in the early rounds, the world number two should be favourite to reach her first Australian Open final and who knows maybe even lift the trophy in Melbourne.

 

 

[3] Coco Gauff

Embed from Getty Images

Best Result: Semi-Final (2024)  

Gauff ended the 2024 season by claiming the WTA Finals title and has continued her momentum into the 2025 season by leading USA to the United Cup title.

Gauff’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

  • R1: Sofia Kenin | H2H: Kenin leads 2-1
  • R2: Leolia Jeanjean [Q] | H2H: Gauff leads 1-0
  • R3: Leylah Fernandez [30] | H2H: Gauff leads 1-0
  • R4: Jelena Ostapenko [16] | H2H: Gauff leads 2-1
  • QF: Jessica Pegula [7] | H2H: Pegula leads 4-2
  • SF: Aryna Sabalenka [1] | H2H: Gauff leads 5-4
  • F: Iga Swiatek [2] | H2H: Swiatek leads 11-3

An intriguing first round clash against Sofia Kenin will put Gauff’s recent red-hot form to the test before a potential second round with Brit Jodie Burrage. A third round match against Leylah Fernandez will prepare Gauff for a brutal fourth round draw against either Jelena Ostapenko, Karolina Muchova or former champion Naomi Osaka. In the quarter-finals Gauff could face good friend Jessica Pegula, who she has struggled against in the past before a cracking semi-final against Sabalenka. Ultimately this is a doable yet testing draw for Gauff but any assumptions that the American is already in the semi-finals should be put aside for now as there are players that are capable of matching Gauff’s level and sending the third seed packing before her journey has even begun.

 

[4] Jasmine Paolini

Embed from Getty Images

Best Result: Fourth Round (2024)     

After reaching two Grand Slam finals last season, Paolini will be determined to prove that she isn’t a one season wonder and will look to maintain her high level in 2025.

Paolini’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

  • R1: Sijia Wei [Q] | H2H: First Meeting
  • R2: Taylor Townsend | H2H: Paolini leads 2-0
  • R3: Elina Svitolina [28] | H2H: First Meeting
  • R4: Beatriz Haddad Maia [15] | H2H: Paolini leads 3-0
  • QF: Elena Rybakina [6] | H2H: Paolini leads 3-2
  • SF: Iga Swiatek [2] | H2H: Swiatek leads 3-0
  • F: Aryna Sabalenka [1] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 3-2

Paolini has a fairly comfortable opening week with Elina Svitolina expected to provide the toughest test of week one. At the start of the second week the Italian will begin against either Beatriz Haddad Maia or Katie Boulter before a potential crunch quarter-final against former finalist Elena Rybakina. Ultimately this is a comfortable draw for Paolini up until the semi-finals and this will be an indicator as to whether the fourth seed can live up to the new-found expectations or whether she crumbles under pressure.

The Australian Open begins on the 12th of January and concludes on the 26th of January.

 

 

How to Watch/Follow Australian Open 2025

Live Stream Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime

Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player

Live Scores Tennis Scores Powered By TNNSLIVE