Australian Open 2012: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio and Tournament Preview

The 2012 Australian Open kicks off on Monday in Melbourne and will be full of excitement and compelling storylines to follow.

Novak Djokovic enters 2012 looking to continue the success he had last year, when he won three Grand Slam singles titles, including the 2011 Australian Open.

His No. 1 ranking will be challenged by top players such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.

Murray is one player to watch at this tournament because he came so close to winning the event last season, losing to Djokovic in the final. Murray has never won a Grand Slam singles title, and this could be the season in which he gets his breakthrough win.

Caroline Wozniacki is the No. 1-ranked women's player heading into the Australian Open, and she has a fantastic opportunity to cement herself as the new face of women's tennis if she wins this year's event.

Kim Clijsters is the defending women's champion.

Let's look at a complete preview of this awesome tournament.

Where: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia

When: Monday, Jan. 16 to Sunday, Jan. 29

Watch: ESPN and ESPN2 (USA), BBC (England)

Live Streaming: ESPN3

Men's Players to Watch

Novak Djokovic (defending champion), Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, David Ferrer, Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Women's Players to Watch

Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Venus and Serena Williams, Petra Kvitova and Kim Clijsters.

Schedule

Here is the complete schedule of play for this year's Australian Open, from the event's official website.

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Sunday, Jan. 15	6:30 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Early round play
Monday, Jan. 16	9 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Early round play
Tuesday, Jan. 17	9 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Early round play
Wednesday, Jan. 18	11 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Early round play
Thursday, Jan. 19	11 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Early round play
Friday, Jan. 20	9 p.m. – 7:30 a.m.	Early round play
Saturday, Jan. 21	9 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Round of 16
Sunday, Jan. 22	7 p.m. – 7 a.m	Round of 16
Monday, Jan. 23	9 p.m. – 6 a.m.	Quarterfinals
Tuesday, Jan. 24	7 p.m. – 6 a.m.	Quarterfinals
Wednesday, Jan. 25	9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.	Semifinals
Thursday, Jan. 26	3:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.	Semifinals
Saturday, Jan. 28	3 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.	Women's Final
Sunday, Jan. 29	3 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.	Men's Final

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report.

Follow @NicholasGoss35