Partly by default, and partly through performance, dual Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka is the new second favourite behind Serena Williams to win a third singles title at Melbourne Park. She is likely to be the 16th seed, but, almost shockingly given the state of the women's top six, is also fit and healthy. That will almost do for now. 
Azarenka won her first tournament since   August, 2013, by defeating world No.10 Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-1 in Saturday night's Brisbane International final. She dropped just 17 games in four matches. Even from a field depleted by three high-profile withdrawals or retirements, to which No.5 Agnieszka Radwanska and No.6 Petra Kvitovia added their names in Sydney, there was plenty to like.
"I just feel really excited and happy that I'm doing the right things," said Azarenka, who has endured two difficult, injury-stricken years. "Just gives extra motivation to keep working hard and achieve better things."
Azarenka has reached at least the fourth round of the in Australian Open for the past six years, winning in both 2012 and 2013.
"I'm going do everything I can next week to prepare and feel the most comfortable to start the tournament. I can't wait to be in Melbourne. I love the city. Looking forward to that," she said."
Working with a team that now includes Kim Clijsters' and Simona Halep's former coach Wim Fissette and Williams' ex-hitting partner Sascha Bajin, Azarenka played through 2015 with a painful foot injury, reaching the Doha final, but no better than a quarter-final round anywhere else.
"There was not a moment where I felt, I feel good. I have no pain," she said. "There was a lot of medication last year which made me feel crazy actually at some moments. I don't respond well to medication."
As positive as her form is for the player who spent 51 weeks at No.1, just don't call it a comeback, for Azarenka was never entirely gone from the game. "For me, it's like you're reading a book and you just turn the page," she said. "That part of it was over. You just flip the page. I think that's exciting."