2019 Australian Open: Women’s Singles Preview
A look at the showpiece women’s singles event and who’s best placed to enjoy a golden run this Australian Open.
With a plethora of former winners, Commonwealth Games medalists and international stars scattered across the draw, this promises to be one of the most hotly contested competitions yet.
Read our form guide below:
Women’s Singles
Pick of the Aussies:
Rebecca Van Asch – Having recently returned to competitive bowls following motherhood, Van Asch enjoyed one of the more dominant years in 2018. Two Commonwealth Games gold medals as well as the AO and Indoors singles double, the Tasmanian recently picked up a bronze medal at the 2019 World Cup upon her return and will no doubt begin to hit her straps come June.
Kelsey Cottrell – The long-time BCiB Australian Jackaroo and a former winner of this event has produced a rich vein of form since returning to the sport in early 2018 following the birth of her first child. Set to lead Australia in singles at the Asia Pacific Championships for the first time since the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Cottrell will be eager for a successful tune-up at the AO.
Kristina Krstic – Last year’s runner-up, the West Australian had her chances to defeat Rebecca Van Asch in the final but you would suspect the 24-year-old is only scratching the surface in terms of her potential. Having regularly been among the strongest bowlers in her home state, the aspiring Commonwealth Games competitor will again be one to watch as she looks to go one better.
Pick of the Internationals:
Siti Zalina Ahmad (Malaysia) – The three-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist is set to grace the Australian Open as a warm-up for the Asia Pacific Championships. She was recently in Australia competing in the World Cup for Malaysia where she collected a bronze medal. A former winner of the AO singles way back in 2007!
Lisa Prideaux (New Zealand) – The Kiwi international was a semi-finalist last time out at the AO and will no doubt call on all her experience to match or even better that stunning performance.
One to Watch:
Chloe Stewart – A rising star among the Jackaroos ranks, Chloe Stewart now calls Tweed Heads home and will be looking to chase individual success at an event where she has won in team disciplines in the past. Still just 23 years of age, Stewart was a runner-up to Rebecca Van Asch in last year’s Australian Indoors final, an indication of her growing stature in the singles game.
Honourable mentions:
Ellen Ryan – At the tender age of 22-years-old, she is already a three-time winner of the Australian Open, including two singles crowns.
Bolivia Millerick – Last year’s singles semi-finalist is another to recently return to the sport following a break for motherhood.
Karen Murphy – You would be brave to discount the reigning world singles champion.
Lynsey Clarke – The Gold Coast-local has earned a recall to the Jackaroos squad for the Asia Pacific Championships and is a former singles champion of the AO.
MORE:
2019 Australian Open: Men’s Singles Preview
2019 Australian Open set for record-breaking numbers
Our Prediction:
Rebecca Van Asch – Back to back AO singles crowns? Should the Tasmanian repeat her 2018 heroics, she would become the first player, male or female, in the history of the event to claim consecutive singles titles. Having eased back into the game with solid performances at the World Cup and Australian Sides Championships, she’s in with a chance.
