Australian Open 2012 Scores: Who is the Most Dangerous Women's Competitor Left?

With players left in Melbourne like Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka, you'd think one of those would be everyone's favorite to win.

Not this guy.  By far, the best female player in the Australian Open (for the second year in a row, in case you weren't keeping track) is the defending champion, Kim Clijsters.

Why has Clijsters been the best?  Well first of all, she just took down the world's top-ranked woman, Caroline Wozniacki, in their quarterfinal matchup last night.  That would be the third top-20 win just in the Australian Open.  Clijsters has also knocked off 20th-ranked Daniela Hantuchova and fifth-ranked Li Na.

This isn't just a matter of having fought and scrapped her way this far—no, Clijsters has lost only one set in the entire tournament, that being the first set in her fourth round match with Li Na.

Against Wozniacki last night, Clijsters displayed an incredible combination of power and speed.  Her mobility was shockingly impressive and her power—well, that's just always been her game.  The shots were constantly out of Wozniacki's reach, even if by the narrowest of margins.

The seasoned veteran in Clijsters is about to meet third-ranked Victoria Azarenka, and she's been considered a heavy favorite over the last few days.  I don't see it that way.  Why?

Azarenka's quarterfinal win over eighth-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska last night was her first victory over a ranked opponent in Melbourne.  She's been good, no doubt, but it's easier to be good against subpar competition. 

I can't really say anything against Maria Sharapova or Petra Kvitova in terms of performance, as they've had some good matches in their own right.  I just happen to have found that Clijsters has been one of the more flawless players not only on the women's side, but between both sides of the tournament.

With only two rounds to go until her fifth, my prediction is that Clijsters wins the Aussie Open by taking down Azarenka in straight sets, and then beating Maria Sharapova in three sets in the final.