Australian Open 2012: Women's Draw Underdogs Worth Watching on Jan. 20

By this point in most tournaments, the greater majority of the remaining players usually consist of those that are ranked.

While the Australian Open is no different, there are still a select few unranked athletes that could make some noise, especially on the women's side of things.  Caroline Wozniacki is certainly not the Novak Djokovic of the WTA.

Of course, even some of the ranked ladies can play as underdogs.  As we move forward, here are four ladies to watch over the coming hours, as they can knock off some of the tournament's favorites.

Christina McHale

At only 19 years old, American athlete Christina McHale is one of the younger players still standing.  She'll have a heck of a task going forward, as she will be playing the well-seasoned Jelena Jankovic (ranked 13th).

As impressive of a career as it's been for Jankovic, the fact remains that she's still not won a grand slam.  She looks like a woman possessed, as she's been dominant in her first two matches. 

Don't let that impressive performance fool you, however.  Christina McHale has shown vast signs of improvement even since last year.  This is the furthest she's ever made it in the Aussie Open, and she's got a lot of things to be excited about.

She's got a great forehand, a good serve and good mobility.  This match is going to feature McHale's youth against Jankovic's experience.

I find this one to be very close.  So close, in fact, that I'm not going to state a prediction here, but I do expect this match to go to three sets.

Anabel Medina Garrigues

Anabel Medina Garrigues isn't a typical underdog—she's ranked.  What makes her an underdog?

She's facing fifth ranked Li Na.  Now, I wouldn't say I've been vocal about my disbelief in Li Na, but I've certainly said it a few times.  I'm not convinced of her talent yet.

She won last year's French Open and was in the finals of the 2011 Aussie Open.  That's great, but then she had embarrassing performances at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.  Which Li Na am I to believe is the real one?

As of now, Li Na has been incredible in Melbourne.  She's had no issue getting to round three.  As for Garrigues, she hasn't had many issues herself.

This isn't a slide to promote Garrigues, though I do find that she is one of the under-rated tennis players.  Rather, I'm just pointing out that Li Na has yet to prove to me that her top five ranking is justified.  Should Garrigues win this one, she could move into the world's top 20.

Romina Oprandi

Romina Oprandi will be facing 22nd-ranked Julia Goerges in the Aussie Open's third round.

Of course, Goerges doesn't bring quite the talent of Azarenka or Sharapova, but she's good.  Her first couple rounds have been mightily impressive, though you have to note that her second round opponent, Eleni Daniilidou retired in the second set.

Meanwhile, Oprandi is fresh off a top-ten upset—she defeated Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-3 in the second round.  As you can see by the score, it wasn't a struggle to defeat Schiavone.  Oprandi managed to control the pace of the entire match and wore Schiavone down.

I've found Goerges to be more of a speed player and Oprandi more about power.  Neither lady has a grand slam title yet, so both are starving for one.

I look for this one to be pretty close.  Oprandi is already further along in this grand slam tournament than she ever has before, so I think she's got one more upset in her.

Monica Niculescu

Monica Niculescu is going to take on top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki in round three in Melbourne, and with a win, will more than likely take Wozniacki off that top-seeded perch.

Niculescu hasn't dominated her first two matches.  She dropped each of her first sets in both games before going on to control the rest of the match.  While Niculescu has displayed some great racket power and precision, she struggles a bit in terms of her range as the match wears on.

Wozniacki has been dominant in her first two matches, winning both in straight sets.  There's been a lot of talk recently about how good Wozniacki really is, and for the time being at least, she's silenced that.  I reiterate that it will all pick up again if she doesn't at least make a finals appearance.

I don't see Wozniacki falling here.  Niculescu is still trying to really find a niche on the court and doesn't have a great game yet.  Still, a top level game from Niculescu could force Wozniacki out of Melbourne early.