Having discussed the men’s contenders at the Australian Open earlier this week, we shift to a look at the women to watch Down Under.

Typically, Serena Williams is a safe pick when searching for a clear-cut favorite at a Grand Slam tournament. However, despite a strong finish to the 2014 season, the American has put together a less than stellar beginning to the 2015 season. Losing two singles matches in quick fashion during Hopman Cup while claiming a lack of energy at the event, Williams will enter Melbourne displaying a substandard level of play to that witnessed at the 2014 WTA Finals. There, she disposed of Eugenie Bouchard, Simona Halep, and Caroline Wozniacki to capture the season-ending event.

Still, overlook Williams at a Grand Slam at your own peril. The California native will seek her 19th major championship during the coming fortnight. She earned the last Grand Slam of 2014 at Flushing Meadows in September and has won the Melbourne event five times. Despite falling to Ana Ivanovic in the round of 16 at last season’s Australian Open, Williams has stated that the event is her favorite Grand Slam.

Although she won just a single major title in 2014, and while it is conceivable that the pack behind her has surged ever closer, Williams will enter the tournament as world No. 1 with the top seed. At 33 years of age, she has heard the naysayers before and appeared to use the doubt to fuel inspiration at key moments. With a strong group of seeds behind her, Williams will need to consistently summon the energy she claims she has recently lacked during the next two weeks. If she is able, another Grand Slam title could be within her grasp.

Meanwhile, a healthy Maria Sharapova engineered a successful 2014 season, where she earned a French Open championship. And, while she found less success at the two Grand Slams played on hard courts, she certainly has the mental toughness to produce a deep run in Melbourne.

To her advantage, Sharapova enters the event as a No. 2 seed, placing her in the opposite bracket from her nemesis, Serena Williams. Williams has reigned victorious in the last 15 meetings between the two competitors, dating back to 2004. But Sharapova would only face her in the final, and a lot could happen before then.

Despite falling to Dominika Cibulkova in the round of 16 last season, the Russian knows success in Melbourne, having won the title in 2008. She will enter the tournament on the heels of a Brisbane title, where she defeated Ana Ivanovic in the Final. Sharapova, who is currently competing at a high level, will look to impose her powerful style and wear down opponents during the fortnight.

Simona Halep made huge strides in 2014, advancing to the finals at Roland Garros and the semifinals at Wimbledon. However, she was stymied in the quarterfinals at Melbourne by Cibulkova. But as the season progressed, the Romanian continued to enhance her game, finishing runner-up to Williams at the WTA Finals. The 23-year-old began the 2015 season with a title at the Shenzhen Open but will enter the Australian Open with a question mark. She was forced to withdraw from this week’s Sydney tournament with gastroenteritis. She is hopeful for a full recovery in time for the event.

Halep has shown the ability to battle with the best, having produced victories against all of the top seeds with the exception of Sharapova. And, despite her inability to scratch out a victory against the Russian, all of their recent meetings have resulted in tough three-setters. Using solid court coverage, consistent play, and gritty effort, Halep is a difficult opponent who gives away very few points, forcing her opponent to earn success. If she is 100 percent, she is more than capable of a deep run in the season’ first Grand Slam.

Another question mark lies with Caroline Wozniacki and her ailing wrist. The injury forced her withdrawal from her first-round match at Sydney this week. Wozniacki has worked her way back to serious contention for Grand Slam titles after finishing the last quarter of 2014 with multiple victories against Maria Sharapova as well as wins against Petra Kvitova and Agnieszka Radwanska.

The Dane entered 2015 with momentum approaching the season’s first major. A player with a high fitness level, Wozniacki is equipped to face the Australian heat, but her success may lie in the state of her health.  The world No. 8 is confident she will play in Melbourne, but her effectiveness remains in question. A healthy Wozniacki is capable of success during the next two weeks with her recently rediscovered confidence and mental toughness against the elite players on tour.

Petra Kvitova recently set a goal to reach world No. 1 in 2015. And after her memorable fortnight at Wimbledon in 2014, it is an understandable expectation. The Czech exorcised some demons in London, exhibiting overpowering performances as she finally won a second Grand Slam, duplicating her result from 2011 at the same venue.

The powerful left-hander has the ability to intimidate her opponents with a huge first serve and big, angled groundstrokes that incited many to project multiple Grand Slams following her maiden title in 2011. While she struggled through inconsistencies afterward, Kvitova has clearly regained her traction during the last year.

Carrying lofty expectations, Kvitova reached the semifinals in Melbourne in 2012 following a dominant Wimbledon performance from the previous year. In 2015, she will look build upon a similar result subsequent to her title in London last summer. However, this season she is better equipped to withstand the pressures that come with earning such an elite accomplishment, making her a dangerous opponent Down Under.

After her breakthrough season last year, Eugenie Bouchard surged into the top 10 following deep runs at the season’s first three major tournaments. The Canadian reached the semifinals at Melbourne and Roland Garros and the final at Wimbledon in 2014. Now, with higher expectations, she will look to break through for her first Grand Slam title.

While relying on her consistent, steady play, Bouchard could benefit greatly from a strong serving fortnight. The 20-year-old will attempt to keep her opponents off guard with her aggressive style in which she takes the ball early, quickly turning defense to offense.

Bouchard has combined for only one victory against Williams, Sharapova, Kvitova, and Halep in her young career, but her reputation as a fighter on the court suggests that it is only a matter of time. Her “never give up” mentality makes her a threat in the coming two weeks.

Others capable of considerable success in Melbourne, given favorable brackets, include Ana Ivanovic and Agnieszka Radwanska. And despite tumbling down the rankings after missing significant time due to injury, two-time champion Victoria Azarenka is still dangerous as she continues to shake off the rust while returning to her previous form. However, the Belarusian will have to accomplish this as an unseeded player.