Six titles in the past year ain't bad.

Congrats, @Petra_Kvitova.

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/Zl0SOSjBmW

— Western & Southern Open (@CincyTennis) January 12, 2019

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Women’s Singles Draw

• Simona Halep may be the #1 seed, but she got a brutal draw.  If Halep reaches the semifinals, her confidence should be sky high, but many obstacles loom.
• A Naomi Osaka – Serena Williams re-match could very well be in the cards for the semifinal round.
• Angelique Kerber has a nicely manageable draw.  Caroline Wozniacki could stage a battle of Aussie Champions with Kerber in the semifinal round.
• Petra Kvitova has momentum heading into the maiden 2019 slam.
• Sloane Stephens, Victoria Azarenka, and Garbine Mugaruza are all capable of winning this event even if their on resumes are not packed with recent successes.

Andy Murray is back on court with Grigor Dimitrov ✊#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/HyD4wySV1l

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 12, 2019

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Men’s Singles Draw

• Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round could turn the clock back to 2008.
• Andy Murray faces a tough player with a ton of momentum in Roberto Bautista Agut.
• Rafael Nadal has a nice path to the semifinal round.
• If Dominic Thiem has properly adjusted to rebound ace, he is a player who seems physically ready to go 7 matches.  Being in Djokovic’s half of the draw does not help Thiem though.
• Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas could stage a generational battle.
• Many intriguing first round matches should get the tournament off to a great start.