- World No 1 primed for an open field amid top 10 shake-up
- With Serena Williams out Naomi Osaka looms as main threat
Ash Barty is embracing the hype as the world No 1 lines up for her best chance yet to break Australia’s most infamous sporting drought.
Tennis fans need only peep at the betting markets to realise Barty will likely never be presented a more inviting opportunity to win the Australian Open than this month in Melbourne.