Australian open preview

The Australian Open starts today and thetennisreview looks at the top five contenders and the dark horses for the men’s and women’s titles

Men’s.
1. Novak Djokovic. The four time Champion ended 2013 looking unbeatable. Riding high on confidence at a venue he has been so successful at, he comes in as favorite. The faster courts should not be a problem for him. He has the potential to play the most aggressively of all the athletic baseliners and will come prepared.

2. Rafael Nadal. The faster courts might hinder him but on guts and athleticism he is surely into the final at least and there he is dangerous.

3. Roger Federer. If the faster courts are going to help anyone, it is Federer. Expect a lot of serve and volleying, a lot of inspiration and a lot of crowd support. With an unmatchfit Murray in his quarter, Federer has a great chance to make it to the last four against Nadal where in a best of five sets and with all the crowd support and favorable conditions, you have to give him a chance.

4. Del Potro. Match fit after his Sydney win, Del Potro will come into the Australian Open in form and ready for the fast and hot conditions.

5. Andy Murray Murray has made the final three times and has to be a favorite if he can play himself into form and get past Federer in the last eight.

Dark horse:
Marin Cilic. Armed not only with a huge serve but with Ivanisevic in his camp, Cilic comes into Melbourne as a player with a strong chance of taking advantage of the faster conditions.

Women.
1. Serena Williams. After her wins over Sharapova and Azarenka in Brisbane, it is hard to look beyond Serena. A five time winner and no doubt motivated by not having won here since ’10, if she can stay fit, she is winning it.

2. Azarenka. The two time defending champion has beaten Serena numerous times on hard courts and if they both make the final it could go either way but Azarenka will need some luck.

3. Li Na. A two time finalist, Li Na likes Melbourne Park and with the clock ticking on her chances, if she can be efficient and inspired she could win the trophy.

4. Maria Sharapova. Her recent showing versus Serena in Brisbane showed us she was fit again and hungry. If she can avoid Serena, she has a great chance.

5. Sabine Lisicki. The fast courts will help this big server. Her experience at Wimbledon will have given her a taste for the big time and if she can get into the last sixteen she could beat any of the seeds and win the title.

Dark horse:
Pironkova. Beating Kerber, one of the tours most consistent performers, in Sydney indicates Pironkova, whose best results have come at Wimbledon, could do some damage in Melbourne.