Australian Open 2015: Analyzing Serena Williams' Draw

As the Australian Open edges closer, Serena Williams is getting ready to win her first title Down Under in five years. With her first-round draw finalised, Melbourne Park is really starting to heat up. But can Williams really conquer all and claim her 19th career Grand Slam title?

Having tasted success at the U.S. Open back in September, she remains a dominant force.

But this Slam brings a fresh set of obstacles.

And if you want to see the tournament's official schedule, click here.

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As reported by Nick McCarvel of USA Today, the 33-year-old's first-round opponent is scheduled to be Alison Van Uytvanck, a match she's preparing for without her hitting partner.

In truth, it's a big boost to the American's chances that she faces a relatively easy first match.

Currently ranked No. 106 in the world rankings, the Belgian is not expected to upset Williams' chances.

However, if the usually impressive star can't put her recent poor form behind her, we could see her involved in a draining match. That's something she'll want to avoid. If she gets drawn into one of those, the 2010 champion could see her performances worsen even more.

Awaiting her in the quarterfinals could be her vanquished U.S. Open final opponent, Wozniacki. If that happens it would surely push her to her limit. After all, the 24-year-old is very used to competing with her.

And the Dane knows her game well.

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Moving on from there, should Serena make it to the semifinals, we could witness a fierce sibling rivalry against her sister Venus. And with her older sister in good form, she'll need to be at her absolute best to avoid a shock defeat.

No doubt, that would be a super contest filled with tension.

And if she manages to persevere all the way to the final, she could meet Maria Sharapova in the main showdown. Provided they can both stay the course, we could be treated to a memorable contest between the top two ranked players in the women's game.

No matter who she faces, though, it promises to be tough.

That's because poor form, ageing and a lack of smooth preparations have seen her stock depleted in recent times. And that could affect her surge.

The way it's shaping up, this could be her most challenging Slam yet.

The snapshots of her court-side struggles have been another downside to her career of late.

Not only have her displays been off, but she's also seemed more ruffled than usual by her mistakes. Most striking of all was when she smashed her racket in anger during the Hopman Cup final.

Not one to get swept up in the commotion surrounding her recent downturn, however, Williams remains focused on this competition. In her mind, what's done is done.

As reported by the Herald Sun's Peter Rolfe, she's not going to let the pressure get to her. 

"

If I play well I'm going to get it and I just have to relax and do what I can and not stress out too much. I'm just going to enjoy it now...I'm going to enjoy every moment. It's the only Grand Slam that, if I lose, I will still be here til the end of the tournament. It's really one of my favourite places in the world. It's unique. 

"

For some, her rallying calls and rich past provide enough hope that she will pull through.

For others, it's too close to call.

According to ESPN.com's Melissa Isaacson, her recent displays have thrown many analysts off.

"Even when Serena Williams is bad, she's great. That's why it was so hard to ascribe typical standards of measure for her in 2014. And why, as she enters her 15th Australian Open, it is even harder to predict in which direction she will head."

In truth, a lot has gone awry for her in recent weeks. She's been fatigued. Her matches haven't gone to plan. She's been erratic on the court. And she's also now without longtime hitting partner and friend Sascha Bajin.

These are obstacles that have tampered with her preparation and have probably made the buildup more hectic than it ought to be.

As a result, the world No. 1 has a really tough challenge ahead of her this month.

And much will hinge on how she reacts against Uytvanck.

To prove her doubters wrong, she'll have to put on a first-round show. If she can blow the Belgian player out of the water in a flash, the tide may well turn in her favour. Do that, and she'll feel invigorated and a lot more ready for the charge to the final.

Fail to make an immediately impressive impact, and she could well struggle in the open water against the bigger fish to come. All will be interested in seeing how she performs as she pushes for her sixth Aussie Open title.