[32] Garbine Muguruza (ESP) is a talented player, who has struggled to handle the fame that comes with winning big. Ranked number one in 2017, Muguruza has seen her ranking slowly creep down to the mid-thirties. While the decline was due in part to injuries, Muguruza’s internal struggles also contributed to the fall in her ranking.

Muguruza: 2-Time Major Champ

You can never really know what goes on in the mind of anyone, and only the Spaniard knows what she has had to deal with. In 2016 she stunned the world when she won Roland Garros, but then she drifted away. She came back strong later in 2017 to win Wimbledon. Of course, everyone hoped that she would handle the success much better this time around, but that was not the case.

When you watch someone, who can play well enough to beat anyone on the biggest stage, you struggle to understand and watch them lose in the next week to players they should not lose to. Individual sports more than any other sport put all the pressure on the individual to perform at their best always if they want to succeed and that can be so mentally and physically draining.

The longevity of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal makes you realize and appreciate how special these players are. They have consistently performed at their highest levels for so many years. It is nice to see Muguruza rediscovering her top form at this Australian Open, perhaps she will surprise us once again and claim the title. Her next obstacle will be the resurgent, [30] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS), who is also looking to go a step further than the quarterfinals. Their last meeting was in 2018 and Muguruza leads their head-to-head 4:1.

Unseeded Jabeur Making Noise

The other unseeded player remaining in the draw is [78] Ons Jabeur (TUN). She will meet the lone remaining American, [14] Sofia Kenin. Kenin leads their head-to-head 3:1.

SOURCE OF IMAGES: Zimbio.com (Getty Images AsiaPac)