MELBOURNE (AFP) – Simona Halep will sport her ‘lucky’ red dress and Caroline Wozniacki says she is playing better than ever as both aim for a first Grand Slam victory when the Australian Open starts on Monday.
The world’s two top-ranked players will spearhead the charge to succeed Serena Williams at year’s first major left wide open by the withdrawal of the defending champion and new mum.
With the 36-year-old Williams not ready yet to return, the tournament could be there for the taking by a host of players yet to win a Grand Slam led by top seed Halep, Wozniacki and fourth-ranked Elina Svitolina.
Last year there were two first-time major-winners while Serena was on maternity leave – Jelena Ostapenko at the French Open and Sloane Stephens at the US Open.
