Ten players to watch in the Australian Open

The new tennis season kicks off with doubts over big names and opportunities for others as the Australian Open rolls around again.

Andy Murray, Serena Williams and Kei Nishikori have all pulled out of the year's first grand slam, which begins in Melbourne on Monday.

Here, Press Association Sport picks out 10 names likely to challenge for the titles or spring a few surprises.

Simona Halep

The absence of defending champion Serena Williams opens the door for a new champion, and world number one Halep must sense a big opportunity. The Romanian fell agonisingly short of a first grand slam title in 2017 but was the most consistent of the top players. Although at her best on clay, Halep is well capable of winning the biggest tournaments on hard courts. The 26-year-old is a two-time quarter-finalist in Melbourne but has not won a match since 2015.

Caroline Wozniacki

After lifting the biggest title of her career at the WTA Finals in Singapore to finish 2017, Wozniacki heads into the new season full of confidence and hot on the heels of Halep. The Dane has been touted as a potential grand slam winner for nearly a decade but is still only 27 and showed a new-found aggressive approach in...