Caroline Wozniacki only has herself to blame for her abysmal draw in the Australian Open, the first grand slam of the year, which starts next Monday in Melbourne.

Her slide down the world rankings in recent months has seen her seeded number 16 for this tournament, and she is duly expected to meet the world number one in the last 16: Serena Williams.

Russian roulette all the way
And just to rub salt into the wound, were a miracle to occur – Woz only ever seems to beat Williams, a close friend of hers, in exhibition matches – Maria Sharapova, the world number five but in reality the world’s second best women’s player, is likely to be waiting in the quarters.

Take nothing for granted
Before then, Wozniacki knows from previous failures to see the second week of a major that she will need to be in her best form to progress past the first three rounds.

Her first opponent is Yulia Putintseva from Kazakhstan, a former number 70 with little grand slam pedigree to speak of – which is also the case with her probable second round opposition.

However, the third round could be tricky. Italy’s Sara Errani, should she make it that far, is a former world number 5 who made the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in 2012.

Wozniacki’s best performance at the tournament was an appearance in the semis in 2011.

The Dane is 50/1 to win with Bet 365. Williams is the 3/1 favourite, Sharapova 10/1 and Errani 250/1.