The Australian Open women's field is opening up nicely for big-serving American CoCo Vandeweghe to claim her first grand slam title, according to coach Pat Cash.
A semi-finalist last year at Melbourne Park and the US Open, Vandeweghe looms as a genuine chance to go a step further after the withdrawal of several big names.
Seven-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams last week confirmed she would not defend her crown after giving birth in September to her first daughter.
Dual major winner Svetlana Kuznetsova will sit out with a wrist injury, while Victoria Azarenka - a two-time Australian Open champion - is unable to play due to a custody battle.
All of that bodes well for Vandeweghe, who boasts a powerful forehand and one of the biggest serves on the women's tour.
"We talk about the men's draw being open but the women's draw is just absolutely phenomenal," Cash said on Monday.
"It is literally so open that any of 30 players can win the Australian Open.
"We're fully aware of that, that she may be one of them if she hits form, but also fully aware that there's so many dangerous players out there and we've got to be ready from the very first point and very first match."
Vandeweghe looked in good touch during the Hopman Cup in Perth, where she defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets before falling to Belinda Bencic in Saturday's final.
While she eventually lost to Venus Williams, the world No.10 turned heads when she stormed past defending champion Angelique Kerber in last year's fourth round at Melbourne Park.
Kerber and Maria Sharapova are the only two entrants in this year's draw who have won the Australian Open.
Vandeweghe has looked to improve her fitness ahead of her latest campaign and has been put through her paces by Cash during their first off-season together.
"So far, it's been almost perfect preparation for CoCo," the 1987 Wimbledon champion said.
"We've had a great, really hard 10 days."
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