Ball in Azarenka’s court as Sharapova earns luck of the draw

The Australian Open women’s draw at a glitzy ceremony in Melbourne on Friday had one major talking point before the names were announced: which half would Serena go into?

Heading into the tournament as third seed, Serena Williams, though the Betfair Australian Open odds have her ranked as favourite, she would either fall in the top half with world number one Victoria Azarenka, or in the bottom half alongside Maria Sharapova. And, although the top seeds don’t meet until the semi-final...

Philip Oliver