Women's Australian Open Preview

Tennis’s first Grand Slam event of 2012 is already upon us in Melbourne. We look at some of the ones to watch.

Alll odds given are to win the tournament and are the best available on the market. Just click on any of the links, sign up with the relevant bookie and claim your free bets.

Petra Kvitova: (3/1 PaddyPower)

Age: 21
World Ranking: 2
Grand Slam Titles: 1

Verdict: The reigning Wimbledon champion showed she’s made of the right stuff when she comprehensively beat Sharapova 6-3 6-4 on Centre Court. Victory at the season-ending WTA Tour Championships in Istanbul showed she is no flash in the pan. Widely tipped to be world number one pretty soon, the only concern would be that she is yet to progress beyond the quarter finals in Melbourne.

Serena Williams: (4/1 Boylesports)

Age: 30
World Ranking: 12
Grand Slam Titles: 13

Verdict: Still troubled by a sprained left ankle that requires regular ice treatment, Serena has only played two competitive matches since losing the US Open final. The American has won Down Under in similar circumstances before - most notably in 2007 - but she isn’t getting any younger. Short odds because of a remarkable career, but it’s a real gamble on someone without a major win in 18 months.

Victoria Azarenka: (6/1 WilliamHill)

Age: 22
World Ranking: 3
Grand Slam Titles: 0

Verdict: Has form after winning a tough Sydney International title just days ahead of the Aussie Open. The Belarusian wouldn’t be ranked top three in the world without these successes; the problem is she doesn’t do too well in the majors yet. A semi-final at Wimbledon last year was her best Slam showing to date, nothing better than a quarter final in 2010 at Melbourne. Another big risk at short odds.

Kim Clijsters: (10/1 Betfred)

Age: 28
World Ranking: 13
Grand Slam Tiltes: 4

Verdict: The defending champion has announced this will be her last Open. A similar story to Serena, a ‘veteran’ with lots of pedigree but plagued by injury. The Belgian quit the Brisbane International a week or so ago after a hip injury. When you consider that she was forced out of the three other Slams of 2011 it looks like a pretty sentimental bet to think she can last two weeks here.

Li Na: (12/1 Coral)

Age: 29
World Ranking: 5
Grand Slams: 1

Verdict: A finalist here in 2011, she then went on to become the first female Asian winner of a singles Grand Slam event at Roland Garros. Li struggled to cope with the spotlight and expectation after that as she exited early at Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows. She claims she feels no pressure now, but that may all change if she goes deep in the second week.

Caroline Wozniacki: (20/1 Sportingbet)

Age: 21
World Ranking: 1
Grand Slams: 0

Verdict: Perhaps unfairly derided as a world number one who has failed to win one of the majors. Two semi-finals, and earlier exits at Wimbledon and in Paris, did little to quell the doubters in 2011. A recently sprained wrist will not help her cause this time.

Samantha Stosur: (25/1 Sportingbet)

Age: 27
World Ranking: 6
Grand Slams: 1

Verdict: An Aussie who won the last Grand Slam of 2011 has to be in the conversation at the very least. She beat Serena Williams at the US Open and now expectations are high for her home Slam. Indications are, however, that she isn’t handling the pressure at all well; the 27-year-old lost in round two in Brisbane and round one in Sydney recently.

Maria Sharapova: (35/1 PaddyPower)

Age: 24
World Ranking: 4
Grand Slams: 3

Verdict: An interesting one. A few months ago it was hard to understand how the Russian found herself such short odds for Wimbledon, but she did make the finals. Now, not that much has changed but she’s priced up as a real outsider. Maria claims she is fully recovered from an ankle injury that has kept her out since the end of last year. It is a risk, but at least fitness is built into her odds, unlike many of her rivals.