Australian Open 2020: My Picks for the Men's Singles Title - Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev of Germany is lucky not to have one of the top 3 on his side of the draw, making it possible for him to reach the semi-final slot.  Not to take away anything from the guy, but at least he doesn't have to meet any of the top 3 till the semi's where Rafael Nadal possibly awaits.

Daniil Medvedev of Russia and #4 seed is also on this side of the draw, but Zverev holds a formidable 5-1 win-loss record over the Russian, making him the favorite to win the title on their side of the draw.

His other possible opponents include Casper Ruud of Norway, veteran Fernando Verdasco of Spain and another Russian, Andrey Rublev.

It's not going to be an easy trip for him but that should get him ready for the big guns in the latter stage of this grand slam.

Australian Open 2020: My Picks for the Men's Singles Title - Rafael Nadal

Earlier this year, Dominic Thiem asserted that the top 3 can be toppled this year at the grand slams.  Now, he has the chance of doing just that as one of the top 3, #1 seed Rafael Nadal, is in his side of the draw, and a possible quarterfinal match with him will show, if indeed, one of today's young guns is ready to topple, at least, one of the top 3.

For me though, I will wait for the results instead, and for now, Rafa holds a 9-4 H2H with Dominic so I feel Rafa still has what it takes to propel him to another Australian Open final, being a runner-up last year.

Among his other possible nemesis on the way include compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta and dangerous Russian player Karen Khachanov.  Alexander Zverev of Germany is his possible opponent in the semi's.

Australian Open 2020: My Picks for the Women's Singles Title - Marketa Vondrosouva

Marketa Vondrosouva is a surprise pick for the Australian Open title but she has proven at last year's French Open that she can come from nowhere and reach the semifinal of a grand slam.

Interestingly, Vondrosouva has a winning  H2H with the players that she may run into - Camila Giorgi of Italy, Angelique Kerber of Germany, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia and Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands.

That's the reason, she's the pick for her side of the draw!  Elina Svitolina is also on this side of the draw, but she has a nemesis here who has a better H2H than hers - Kiki Bertens.

Anyway, this is just victory on paper, we still have to see if it pans out in reality.

Marketa's prospective semi-final opponent is Simona Halep.  It could be a Simona Halep - Naomi Osaka final.  That we will have to see.

Australian Open 2020: My Picks for the Women's Singles Title - Simona Halep

Simona Halep continues to pose a threat to the field in this year's Australian Open. In her side of the draw, she is the best pick to reach that deep into the tournament.  The other seeded player, Belinda Bencic, might get sidelined, as she is set to meet Anna Schmiedlova, who just defeated her earlier this year.

That loss could open up the draw in Halep's favor. Her possible opponents could include Japanese Misaki Doi, Taiwanese Su-Wei Hsieh, Belgian Elise Mertens and up-and-coming Russian player Veronika Kudermetova.

Waiting in the semi's could be up-and-coming Czech player, Marketa Vondrosouva.

Already a finalist here in 2018, this relatively easy draw could help Simona reach all the way to the finals and have a shot again at another grand slam title.

Australian Open 2020: My Picks for the Women's Singles Title - Naomi Osaka

Defending champion Naomi Osaka looks set to defend her title and win a third consecutive Australian Open title this year.

However, she has a tough draw to deal with which includes tennis legend Serena Williams.

Her possible opponents as she comes up the draw are Zheng Saisai of China, tennis veteran Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic and American newbie Sofia Kenin.  She and Serena might possibly meet in the QFs so that is a match well worth watching.

For now, she holds a 2-1 win loss record against Serena, although in their last outing, Serena won.

It would be interesting how she deals with Serena, if they do meet here.

Her possible semi-final opponent is Madison Keys.  That should put her in a good position to defend her title again.

Australian Open 2020: My Picks for the Women's Singles Title - Madison Keys

Madison Keys, this year's Brisbane runner-up is poised to have a good start in the grand slams this year.  In a pretty crowded draw, she is the player poised to get to the semi-final slot on her side of the draw, thus becoming one of my four favorites to win this year's Australian Open.

Currently ranked outside the top 10 (#11), Keys started the year by reaching the Brisbane finals, and defeating Petra Kvitova in the semifinals there.  It may happen again here in Melbourne, possibly in the 4th round, thus making Keys the favorite in this part of the draw.

Her other possible opponents in the early rounds are all notable players, including Polish Magda Linette, Russian Margarita Gasparyan and German Julia Goerges in the QFs.

Local darling Ashleigh Barty, the #1 seed, is also in this side of the draw, but she will meet in the first round, a nemesis who has defeated her before, Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko.  Although Tsurenko is currently ranked outside the top 100, she knows how to defeat Barty and the added pressure of a home grand slam may not be of any help to the Aussie.

Although Tsurenko's win over Barty was already 2 years ago, it was in Aussie soil, in Brisbane.  Melbourne is a much bigger deal and the pressure to win here might be too tough for Ash to carry - for now.

That we will see on Monday.

Paul McCartney Tops My International Top 10 Countdown This Week

Legendary rocker Paul McCartney tops My International Top 10 countdown this week.

Here are my ten favorite songs by international artists for the week ending January 17, 2020.

#1 Happy With You (#2)
     Paul McCartney

#2 Harmony Hall (#3)
     Vampire Weekend

#3 I'm the Man (#5)
     Taylor Swift

#4 Megatron (#4)
     Nicki Minaj

#5 Blessing (#6)
     Laura Story

#6 NASA (#7)
     Ariana Grande

#7 Earfquake (#8)
    Tyler the Creator

#8 Lose You to Love Me (#9)
     Selena Gomez

#9 Good As Hell (#10)
       Lizzo 

#10 Into the Unknown (NEW)
       Idina Menzel / AURORA