World No.1 Iga Swiatek headlines the Australian Open contenders who will have to navigate an early minefield to reach the pointy end of the Melbourne Park women's draw.
A combination of big names returning from pregnancy or injury has meant the usual benefits of holding a high seeding have been either diluted or thrown out the window altogether.
Arguably no player has felt the 2024 draw's wrath more than 22-year-old Swiatek.
The four-time grand slam winner starts her bid for a first Open crown against former champion Sofia Kenin.
In the second round, the Polish star must beat either 2016 winner Angelique Kerber, returning from pregnancy, or big-hitting 2022 finalist Danielle Collins.
American Collins beat Swiatek in the 2022 semi-finals.
If Swiatek can navigate through a difficult first two rounds, Wimbledon semi-finalist Elina Svitolina could await in the fourth round.
Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, two-time Melbourne Park champion Victoria Azarenka and local hope Ajla Tomljanovic are among Swiatek's potential quarter-final opponents.
Swiatek's likely semi-final opponent, 2023 finalist Elena Rybakina, will take on former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova in the first round.
Rybakina appears destined for a date with world No.5 Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals.
Pegula will face a qualifier first-up and her draw appears poised to open up nicely from there.
Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu starts her campaign against Shelby Rogers and is among those who could face Pegula in the fourth round.
In the other half of the draw, two-time former Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka faces No.16 seed Caroline Garcia, in a less-than-ideal start to her return to Melbourne Park.
Caroline Wozniacki, who earned a wildcard after coming out of retirement, is another who could throw a spanner in the works.
The Dane, the 2018 Melbourne Park champion, meets 2023 semi-finalist and 20th-seeded Magda Linette in the first round.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has avoided the chaos, drawing a qualifier for her opening-round match.
Sabalenka won't face a seed until at least the third round, with Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko a poential match-up.
Sixth seed Ons Jabeur and ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova are her potential quarter-final opponents.
US Open champion Coco Gauff and world No.8 Maria Sakkari shape as Sabalenka's potential semi-final opponents.
