Australian Open Women's Preview

The Australian Open begins Monday. Here is our take on the Women's Singles draw. For the first time in a long while there is real buzz about the Women's game. Victoria Azarenka comes into Melbourne with the hot hand. Kvitova has a shot at Number One and Serena Williams is looking to re-establish herself as a Grand Slam champion. It should definitley be an interesting fortnight but in the end it is most likely that the latter will leave Australia with the seasons first Grand Slam title.

Quarter 1

We at TNC have some serious doubt about Wozniaki's mental and physical health and predict a surprise exit from the AO. Historically it is the hard court slams where Caro excels, but this is going to be a re-grouping year for Caroline and we really don't see her getting beyond the quarterfinals. That presents an opportunity for someone on her quarter and we say why not Jelena Jankovic. Kim Clijsters is in the mix, but we really doubt we will see Clijsters in the second week and so, while she could win it all, we think she will bow out, possibly with a retirement as early as week one. Jankovic had an up-and-down 2011, but there is room for her in this draw and she could ride a good (slightly injury ridden) draw to the semi-finals.

Quarter 2

Agnieszka Radwanska is a dark horse in the first major of 2012, but we have to tip Azarenka to come out of this quarter to contest her second Grand Slam semifinal in the last 12 months. Outside Radwanska there doesn't seem to be anyone who can stop Azarenka and it just may be her year. The only problem for Vika is that Agnieszka plays the kind of tennis that can cause Victoria to implode with unforced errors. But she seems ready to deal with momentary lapses in concentration and right her ship mid-match. At 22 it is time for her to make her move. This AO seems more important for Azarenka than any other player in the draw.

Quarter 3

Everything tells us to bet against Serena Williams at this year's AO, but we've been rope-a-doped before and watched Serena run to the title, and this year there is just no one in Serena's quarter who can bother her, even if she is a little hurt. The reality is only injury, apathy or a temper tantrum can take her out of a hard-court slam. Barring none of those happen book Serena into the semifinals. An interesting round of 16 match with hard hitting Estonian Kaia Kanepi looms, but while being possibly entertaining Kanepi isn't going to bother Serena. Maria Sharapova is in this quarter as well as Sabine Lisicki, but neither one comes into Australia looking like a potential champ. Even at less than her best neither woman will bother Serena.

Quarter 4

On paper, Petra Kvitova has perhaps the least daunting draw of the top seeds and like Williams it is tough to see how Petra doesn't get to the semifinals. An interesting fourth rounder with Ivanovic is possible, but Kvitova's run to the semifinals looks pretty secure. Sam Stosur is Kvitova's potential quarterfinal opponent, but given early season form it doesn't look like that will happen. Good opportunity for Marion Bartoli though she should make it to at least the quarterfinals and has a shot a Kvitova. Nonethless, when all is said and done Kvitova should get through without too much complication.

Semifinals
Azarenka defeats Jankovic
Williams defeats Kvitova

We're just not ready to bet against Serena at the later stages of a slam. Petra will have to wait for her second slam and Azarenka will have to settle for getting to her first major final.

Finals
Williams defeats Azarenka