2016 Australian Open: Fearless PredictionsJanuary 06, 2016

The 2016 WTA and ATP World Tours will be one long season. And it begins in Down Under.

The Australian Open stands out for many reasons. It's the only major tennis tournament being held in the Southern Hemisphere. It's also the only Grand Slam event to be played in two countries. (New Zealand hosted this event twice.) And the tournament was staged twice in a year. Many things happened during the last few months, which would make an intriguing season. Let's take a look at recent events, and how it will affect the chances of the favourites in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. It's time for the guessing game:

Luck will play a part. Novak Djokovic might not believe his luck. The previous season was his personal best, and he would be looking for a sixth singles title. A win would put him in tie with Roy Emerson (for the most Australian Open men's singles crowns). The other contenders were rather coy about their chances. Roger Federer was said to be happy to retire with 17 Grand Slam singles titles, while Stan Wawrinka won't be thinking of a third major title in Melbourne. Andy Murray might miss the finals if his wife would give birth earlier than scheduled. Only Kei Nishikori was looking for his Grand Slam breakthrough, and he would be fresh enough. The heat can affect Djokovic. A Swiss would hoist the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, and it won't be Federer. His fans need not worry, as he will take a break from the game this spring. This will give him enough energy for the grass court season and Rio Olympics.

Maybe Flavia Pennetta should have changed her mind. The recent Hopman Cup party saw Serena Williams and Margaret Smith standing side by side. The Aussie has the most Grand Slam singles titles, including 11 Australian Open women's singles titles. Williams may not be able to win more, but she only needs four more majors to surpass Smith. Alas, a swollen knee forced her to withdraw from the Hopman Cup. (Victoria Duval replaced Williams.) The American dealt with all kinds of injuries throughout her career, so this one wouldn't alarm her fans. As Dominika Cibulková puts it, Williams can dominate the big events again. But what if this knee injury is an omen? It can affect her form, and another player can dethrone the six-time champion. Older sister Venus is the dark horse. Maria Sharapova's never-say-die attitude can bring her to the second week. But watch out for Simona Halep. Darren Cahill, her new coach, might give her the extra push.

Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert will win their second Grand Slam title in Melbourne. Last year's US Open would be special for Nicolas Mahut. (After a string of tough losses, he had something to cheer about.) The French duo came close to advance to the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals two months ago, but this was a sign that they would dominate the tour this year. They were finalists in Flinders Park last year, so don't be surprised to see them raise the trophy. (The duo are currently playing in Brisbane.) And it comes at the right time. They will be favourites at Rio, and France might win the Davis Cup.

Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza can console themselves with a calendar slam. Hingis and Mirza can't play together in Rio, but they can win in Melbourne. If Lucie ŠafáÅ™ová isn't fit and healthy, then expect the Swiss and Indian pair to continue their dominance in women's doubles.

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