Seed cull rivals the Netflix curse as record low seeded players left at Australian Open since system introduced in 2002
WTAThursday, 18 January 2024 at 23:00
he 2024
Australian Open was filled with surprises in the women's main draw, with 20 out
of the 32 seeded players eliminated in the first few days. This marks the year
with the fewest seeded players advancing, at least until the third round, since
the introduction of the seeding system in 2002.
Among the
remaining seeded players, only five are from the top-10, and seven are among
the top 16 seeds, who were guaranteed to face opponents with lower rankings at
least until the fourth round.
The most
significant upsets occurred on the fifth day, with the departure of two top-5
players. Elena Rybakina (No. 3) fell to Anna Blinkova in an incredible 42-point
tie-break, with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(20). Additionally, Jessica Pegula
was surprised by Clara Burel, suffering a decisive 4-6, 2-6 defeat.
Just few matchups between seeded players in the upcoming rounds
Only two of
the third-round matches will feature two seeded players facing off. On one
side, world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka will take on the 28th seed Lesia Tsurenko,
while the clash between former Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko (11th) and
Victoria Azarenka (18th) adds another intriguing matchup.
As of now,
there won't be any encounters between top-10 players, with the first potential
matchup possibly occurring in the quarterfinals, potentially between Sabalenka
(No. 2) and Barbora Krejcikova (No. 9). In the remaining three quarters of the
draw, there is no more than one top-10 player in each section.
Open field emerges in early rounds
With the
early exit of most seeded players, the draw appears much more accessible for
favorites like Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff. Simultaneously,
opportunities have arisen for potential surprises among the remaining seeded
players.
Players
like Beatriz Haddad Maia and Qinwen Zheng have opened up their possibilities.
The Brazilian is guaranteed not to face a seeded opponent until a potential
quarterfinal match with Coco Gauff, while the outlook is even more favorable
for the Chinese player, who wouldn't have to confront any top-25 players until
a potential semifinal clash with Swiatek.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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