Australian Open 2012 TV Schedule: Top Women's Matches to Watch on Jan. 20

We have had a wonderful start to the women's Australian Open 2012.

There have not been too many upsets, which will ensure the top seeds match up later in the tournament in some intriguing games.

Most notably though, 10th seed Francesca Schiavone was dumped out in straight sets by her fellow Italian and World No. 80, Romina Oprandi, 6-4, 6-3.

As we enter the third round, some of the sport's best players are beginning to find their stride and get a nice rhythm in their game.

Let's preview some of the games that need extra attention on Friday, January 20.

Wozniacki (1) vs. Niculescu (31)

Caroline Wozniacki has begun the 2012 Australian Open with a comprehensive win against Australian Anastasia Rodionova, 6-2, 6-1.

Then she swept aside Georgian Anna Tatishvili 6-1, 7-6 in the second round, so she will be full of confidence in the third round as she sets out to defy the critics.

Her opponent is Monica Niculescu of Romania, who beat French player Alizé Cornet 5-7, 6-0, 6-3 in the first round before another close game with another French player in Pauline Parmentier 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Wozniacki is quietly going about her business and I expect her to turn up the heat in Melbourne in this third-round matchup by battering Niculescu with an array of winners from the back of the court.

Wozniacki wins: 6-2, 6-1.

Clijsters (11) vs. Hantuchova (20)

The reigning champion Kim Clijsters has begun her defence of her crown in ominous fashion.

The Belgian has beat Portuguese Maria João Koehler 7-5, 6-1 before sweeping aside French lady Stéphanie Foretz 6-0, 6-1.

On the contrary, Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova has somewhat struggled with a pair of three-set victories. Firstly against American Varvara Lepchenko 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, and then against Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Clijsters can almost feel a bit offended that many have overlooked her for defending her title, therefore I expect a big showing from the reigning champion.

Hantuchova is the sort of player, though, who can raise her game at this level and dig deep, as proven by her three-set victories.

I can see her making it tough for Clijsters, but eventually going down due to the Belgian's greater variety from the back of the court and her tendency to change the pace up.

Clijsters wins: 7-5, 6-3.

Azarenka (3) vs. Barthel

Victoria Azarenka, one of the outside tips to claim her first ever Grand Slam, is safely in to the third round.

The Belarusian has smashed the Brit Heather Watson 6-1, 6-0 before pummeling the Australian Casey Dellacqua by the same scoreline.

Her next opponent, German Mona Barthel, will be fearful of the number three seed as she begun her tournament with a win via retirement against Anne Keothavong (leading 6-0 at the time) and then a 7-5, 6-3 win against Czech Petra Cetkovska.

Azarenka is in scary form, but will have to be wary about her next opponent, who will be relatively fresh after effectively only playing one match this week due to Keothavong's injury.

I can see Barthel scrapping in the first set, before Azarenka pulls through comfortably in the second set to claim a 6-4, 6-2 victory.

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