Five dark horses for 2016 Australian Open ladies’ singles crown

WTA world number 16 Keys produced her best Grand Slam performance to date at last year’s Australian Open when she reached the semis. Knocking out one Williams sister in Venus only saw Serena avenge her elder sibling’s exit by knocking out this compatriot.

Keys forced Serena into a Melbourne tiebreak in their opening set of the semi, and she also knocked Petra Kvitova out en route to that final four fixture. The 20-year-old who hails from Illinois is definitely America’s brightest prospect for when the Williams sisters pack in.

It’s her terrific run Down Under just 12 months ago that make odds of 33/1 for an Australian Open win for Keys this time around very tempting indeed.

Garbine Muguruza

Venezuelan-born Muguruza was unlucky to lose in the 2015 Wimbledon final to Williams in straight sets 6-4 6-4, as that did not tell the whole story. Representing Spain, the 22-year-old had Serena on the ropes at times with the grass court Grand Slam crown at stake.

Last year proved to be a breakthrough campaign for Muguruza, as she also reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and quarter-finals at Roland Garros. Should her development continue at that pace, then the WTA world number three could once again have a say in the destiny of this opening Grand Slam.

Available at an attractive 8/1 to win in Melbourne and go one better than her All-England Club performance, Muguruza must be considered a dark horse.

Agniezska Radwanska

Polish player and former Wimbledon finalist Radwanska made the semis Down Under in 2014, and has been a regular at the business end in Melbourne in recent years.

At 26, she is entering her prime as an athlete and must make that count to live up to her potential. Fellow Eastern European pro Victoria Azarenka won back-to-back Aussie Open titles in 2012 and 2013, so the Pole needs to follow the Belarussian’s example.

Radwanska is rated a 16/1 shot for Australian Open glory here, and at fifth in the WTA rankings has proved one of the most consistent performers on the tour.

Sloane Stephens

There’s another American youngster that wants to succeed Serena as queen of the court, and Stephens like compatriot Keys above has also made an Aussie Open semi – back in 2013.

Stephens knocked Williams out during that rampant run before falling to Azarenka, and is yet to reproduce that form at a Grand Slam. The fact she’s done so before hints that it is within her to do so again.

Now 23, Stephens is a 28/1 chance to deliver at the Australian Open and punters should not be fooled by a relatively lowly WTA ranking at 29.

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