Actually emily, I think Sharapova has a solid shot at winning the FO. With the exception of a disappointing outing in 2015, she has done very well in the FO in recent years. She won RG in 2012 and 2014 and made it to the final in 2013. She obviously did not play in 2016.
She has not played competitive tennis for a whole year, but she has been practicing and keeping in shape. She will have the two Premier tournaments in Madrid and Rome to warm up. If she makes it far in one of them, and gets enough practice going into RG, she has as good a chance as any of winning her third RG. There just isn’t a clay court specialist these days that is a prohibitive favorite. It think she will play with a chip on her shoulder, and she will be out to prove something.
I wouidnt put a dollar on Maria winning RG.
So Sydney is underway and poor Sam Stosur. I don’t know why she even bothers playing the Aussie summer.
In Hobart, Lucie was up 3 breakers in the 2nd to go 5-0 after demolishing random WTA player in 1st set - then promptly went walkabout before finding the plot again in the nick of time to win 6-4.
Upsets galore in all the women’s draw yesterday.
Pome, Angie, kutzi (defending champion) and Coco (who lost to 103 ranked player) all gone from Sydney.
And in Hobart, Petko lost to a lucky loser who’s ranked 132 or something like that.
Men’s draws are really weak this week so I’m not really watching. Most are in Melbourne already practicing.
AO quailes are going to be shown starting tonight on TC.
Draws are out:
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/draws/ms/index.html
Fed has good draw. Two qualifiers in 1rd & 2rd. Berdy is his seed in 3rd Rd. He is in Kei’s qrt. and Sir Andrew’s half.
Lots of random Spainards in that qrt. too.
Djoker 1st Rd is FerV, who had 5 match points against him last week in Doha and blew it.
And Tommy Haas is in the draw. drool
Angie has Daria K who just beat her this week in Sydney, lurking in her qrt. Svitolina, who beat her last week in Brizzy, is in her half.
Serena has cake walk to the semi’s where she will likely meet KaPlish.
Jon Wertheim seed report.
http://www.si.com/tennis/2017/01/15/2017-australian-open-seed-reports
He thinks Rafa is getting to semi and Serena v Bencic is unfortunate first rd for both. I have to wonder if he actually watches tennis!
Nadal’s draw is not overly daunting emily. That is not to say he will make it to the semis. For that to happen, he will probably have to beat Zverev in the third round, Monfils in the fourth, and Raonic in the semis. It is possible, especially if Raonic has an off day, service-wise.
Stick a fork in both Mugu and Halep.
Cool that Crosby beat Halep. Our house is still watching football but my app says Muguruza won?
Nice come back from Mugu. Well done. She took MTO after first set and got thigh taped. Then barely moved through first few games and was down 4-1 at one point.
@tx5athome, I think you mean Rogers.
Been watching Jelana/Siegemund. Lots of drama from the Empress. 
Going 3.
Kozlova up a break already on Venus but it’s early, 2-0
Jelana’s kit looks that Pizza Hut delivery person. 
lol where did I get Crosby? I am rooting for Venus but love Kozlova’s dress.
Venus looks like she’s ready to keel over.
Yeah, it’s very cute.
Empress wins in 3 and another seed bites the dust. That’s 3 so far and it’s just mid afternoon.
Todays OOP
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html
Disappointed lovelyLucas lost. 
Just getting a chance to watch Roger now. Nice to see Jurgen, too - always a cutie.
What a fight back from lucie! Saved 9mp in 2nd set! 5 in 5-6 game and 4 in tb. She was down 1-5 in tb. Then ran away with 3rd set winning next 5 games to win 6-1.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many mp saved in a match.
I felt bad for Klizan. Not only did he lose in a hard-fought 5 set match, but he also had Wawrinka smash a ball in his…well, let us just say it looked very painful.
Almost smashed it there.
Went to bed after Sasha’s win in 5. Lots to get through today before tonight.
Sad for myTommy but he still looked hawt, so. 
Aga completely lost the plot in set 2, but had SOTD. Won third easily, so it’s all good for now.
Why does Nike keep putting Serena in those awful sleeves? Not crazy about the dress either, but at least there aren’t pleats…I much prefer the Nike kit the minions are wearing.
Sunshine goated.
FF’d through Djoker’s match and it’s gone to big trash bin in the etherworld.
Today’s OOP:
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html
My pick for MOTD is Stan v Johnson…This has 5 written all over it…
I agree I don’t love Serena’s outfit but love the minions version. I also really liked Wosniaki’s outfit. Venus looked much more energetic today. I was surprised to hear they are playing doubles.
I thought Venus’s kit today looked like something you’d find in Walmart. I was only half watching that match as I was streaming Svitolina/Bosserup. It was a hit mess of match though by the score you’d think it was an easy win for ES.
I’ve got Riske/Zhang on now, Riske reminds me of Amy Frazier, though a tad less pale, Neither girl in this match can hold serve, either.
I need to go watch Empress.