Australian Open 2012 Draw: Release Date, Live Stream Info and Early Favorites
Tennis comes back in a big way next Monday with the start of the 2012 Australian Open. The first Grand Slam of the year always sets the tone for what we can expect over the next 10 months.
Last year's male and female winners, Novak Djokovic and Kim Clijsters, will have their work cut out for them if they want to repeat, particularly Clijsters, who enters the tournament battling an injured hip.
Djokovic is the top seed on the men's side this year, while Caroline Wozniacki leads the women's draw. There is great depth on both sides, so even though we think we know what will happen, the slightest hiccup can change everything.
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Where: Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
When: Jan. 16-29
Watch: ESPN, ESPN 2
Live Stream: ESPN3.com
Draw Release Date: Friday, Jan. 13
| No. 1 | Novak Djokovic | Caroline Wozniacki |
| No. 2 | Rafael Nadal | Petra Kvitova |
| No. 3 | Roger Federer | Victoria Azarenka |
| No. 4 | Andy Murray | Maria Sharapova |
Men's Favorite (via WBX.com): Novak Djokovic
No surprise here as Djokovic had one of the greatest seasons in recent memory with three Grand Slam wins, 10 victories overall and a 70-6 record in individual matches.
He ran through this event in 2011, defeating Roger Federer and Andy Murray in straight sets in the semi-finals and finals to win the tournament for the second time in his career.
With Federer getting older and Nadal always struggling at this event, Djokovic deserves to be the overwhelming favorite at this year's Open.
Women's Favorite (via SportsBettingLines.com): Serena Williams
These odds were put out on January 3, before Williams sprained her ankle at the Brisbane International, so it will be interesting to see if they change when the draws are announced.
The fact that Williams is still the favorite, at least for now, over players like Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova speaks to how little faith the oddsmakers and betters have in anyone else.
Personally, I would give Kvitova the nod this year. She is a rising star in the sport and made it to the quarterfinals here last year. She should be the favorite to win her second Grand Slam tournament.
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