Australian Open 2014 Schedule: Dates, Times, Live Stream Info and More

With the planet's top tennis stars fired up to begin a brand new season, there'll be no shortage of excitement when the 2014 Australian Open gets underway this January.

Thankfully, tennis fans won't have to miss a minute of the action with ESPN and Tennis Channel providing wall-to-wall coverage of the season's first Grand Slam tournament.

Here we'll get you set with everything you need to catch all the action live as it happens. 

Date	Coverage (ET)	Round	Network	Live Stream
Sun, Jan. 12	7 p.m. - 7 a.m.	Early Rounds	ESPN2	ESPN3
Mon, Jan. 13	7 p.m. - 9 p.m.	Early Rounds	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
	9 p.m. - 7 a.m.	Early Rounds	ESPN2	ESPN3
Tue, Jan. 14	7 p.m. - 9 p.m.	Early Rounds	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
	9 p.m. - 7 a.m.	Early Rounds	ESPN2	ESPN3
Wed, Jan. 15	7 p.m. - 9 p.m.	Early Rounds	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
	9 p.m. - 7 a.m.	Early Rounds	ESPN2	ESPN3
Thurs, Jan. 16	7 p.m. - 11 p.m.	Early Rounds	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
	11 p.m. - 7 a.m.	Early Rounds	ESPN2	ESPN3
Fri, Jan. 17	7 p.m. - 9 p.m.	Early Rounds	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
	9 p.m. - 7 a.m.	Early Rounds	ESPN2	ESPN3
Sat, Jan. 18	7 p.m. - 9 p.m.	Round of 16	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
	9 p.m. - 2 a.m.	Round of 16	ESPN2	ESPN3
Sun, Jan. 19	3 a.m. - 6 a.m.	Round of 16	ESPN2	ESPN3
	7 p.m. - 9 p.m.	Round of 16	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
	9 p.m. - 2 a.m.	Round of 16	ESPN2	ESPN3
Mon, Jan. 20	3 a.m. - 6:30 a.m.	Round of 16	ESPN2	ESPN3
	7 p.m. - 9 p.m.	Round of 16/Quarterfinals	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
	9 p.m. - 2 a.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2	ESPN3
Tue, Jan. 21	3 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2	ESPN3
	9 p.m. - 2 a.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2
Wed, Jan. 22	3:30 a.m. - 6 a.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2	ESPN3
	7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.	Quarterfinals	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
	9:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.	Women's Semifinals	ESPN2	ESPN3
Thurs, Jan 23	3:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.	Men’s Semifinal	ESPN
	11 p.m. - 3 a.m.	Women's Doubles Final	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
Fri, Jan 24	3:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.	Men’s Semifinal	ESPN
Sat, Jan 25	3 a.m. – 5:30 a.m	Women’s Final	ESPN
	5:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.	Men's Doubles Final	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
Sun, Jan. 26	12 a.m. - 2 a.m.	Mixed Doubles Final	Tennis Channel	ESPN3
	3 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.	Men’s Final	ESPN

What to Watch For

Novak Djokovic Takes Aim at History

Michael Dodge/Getty Images

In 2013, Novak Djokovic became the first man in Open era history to win three consecutive Australian Open titles. In 2014, Djokovic can become the first man in the Open era to have won five Australian Open titles.

A fifth title Down Under would give Djokovic seven Grand Slam titles for his career and put him one behind the legendary Roy Emerson for most all time.

Standing in his way are several elite players, none more dangerous than 2009 Aussie Open champ Rafael Nadal, who comes in as the No. 1 overall seed in the men's draw. While Nadal has struggled at the Happy Slam more so than at any other major, he reached the final his last time out at Melbourne Park back in 2012.

And based on the incredible level of success Nadal had on hard courts in 2013, including a U.S. Open final win over Djokovic, he should be considered the top threat to Djokovic's reign.

Meanwhile, 2013 finalist Andy Murray is returning from back surgery last fall and four-time champion Roger Federer is coming off a year in which he failed to reach a Grand Slam final for the first time since 2002.

Serena Williams Looks to Maintain Dominance

Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Five-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams has won four of the past six Grand Slams dating back to 2012 and will be the odds-on favorite to win the women's title this January.

Despite her dominance over the past 18 months, the world No. 1 will face some stiff competition at Melbourne Park. In addition to past Aussie Open champions such as Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, two-time finalist Li Na and up-and-coming American Sloane Stephens could present problems.

Still, it's seemingly Serena's tournament to lose, so much so that her coach Patrick Mouratoglou believes she can become the first woman in 26 years to win all four Grand Slams in the same year, per BBC Sport's Russell Fuller:

"

With Serena, everything is possible. Look at the level she plays at at the moment. She's beaten all the top players many times, so you can aim that high.

Of course it would be exceptional because it's crazy to do that. It's happened just a few times in the history of tennis - but she can do it and the goal is to do the best possible in all four Grand Slams. So why not?

"

Williams was upset by Stephens in the quarterfinals in Melbourne last year but wasn't 100 percent healthy. This time around, Williams appears to be 100 percent and in absolute peak form. 

A sixth triumph Down Under and 18th career Slam title would tie her with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for fourth on the list of most women's major titles all time.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.