Australian open tennis 2010

First grand slam of the year

Schedule	Draws	Players	Scores

Live odds on Betfair for the Mens Market  and the Womens Market

The Australian Open tennis tournament is the first grand slam event of the year. From 18 January - 31 January 2010, Melbourne Park Stadium will play host to all the top ranked tennis players in world tennis. The opening grand slam on the tennis calendar is widely regarded as one of the most gruelling stops on tour, a testing battle of mental and physical strength. For those capable of overcoming the searing temperatures, often reaching 40+ degrees, the reward is one of tennis's most coveted prizes - A grand slam title.

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Men's and women's singles draw 2010

Day 12: Friday, 29 January

Full draw and schedule here

Rod Laver Arena 15:00 Start		Women's Doubles - Finals Cara Black(ZIM)[1] / Liezel Huber(USA)[1] vs. Venus Williams(USA)[2] / Serena Williams(USA)[2] Mixed Doubles - Semifinals Flavia Pennetta(ITA) / Marcelo Melo(BRA) vs. Ekaterina Makarova(RUS) / Jaroslav Levinsky(CZE) Not Before:19:30 Men's Singles - Semifinals Roger Federer(SUI)[1] vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga(FRA)[10]

Full draw and schedule here

Federer to book place in final

The Swiss ace will move one step closer towards his fourth Australian Open title, says Tony Keen.

There is no doubting that the Frenchman is capable of causing an upset as he boasts a number of weapons, including a powerful serve, strong forehand and good net game but Federer's experience on the big stage and ability to make big shots at key moments will prove to be pivotal.

Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Jo-Wilifried Tsonga (FRA)

Federer survived a major scare against Russian Nikolay Davydenko to book his 23rd straight grand slam semi-final appearance and seventh at the Australian Open. The world No.6 had a decidedly flat looking Federer on the ropes early. He was up a set and held a 3-1 lead and three break points in the second set before the Swiss ace clicked into top gear and reeled off 13 consecutive games at one point en route to a 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 victory.

The world number one will now face Tsonga who gained some revenge for his loss to Novak Djokovic in the 2008 decider with a 6-7 (5-7) 1-6 6-3 6-1 win over the Serbian in the quarter finals.

Federer and Tsonga have met on two previous occasions with the 15-time grand slam winner prevailing in Madrid in 2008 before the 10th seed won in Montreal last year. However, both of those contests were best-of-three set matches. As Davydenko will attest to, it's a lot easier to defeat FedEx in a best-of-three match than it is in a best-of-five set clash.

Tsonga will try and be aggressive from the outset but there is a question mark over whether he can play at the same level for a sustained period as his last two matches have been five setters.

There is no doubting that the Frenchman is capable of causing an upset as he boasts a number of weapons, including a powerful serve, strong forehand and good net game but Federer's experience on the big stage and ability to make big shots at key moments will prove to be pivotal.

This journalist suggests backing Federer to win in four sets as Tsonga has the game to pinch a set off the classy 28-year-old.

Belgian duo to progress through to fourth round

Tony Keen believes Belgian stars Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin will move one step closer towards a showdown with each other in the quarter-final stage of the Australian Open.

Three of Clijsters' wins over Petrova have been in straight sets. With this stat in mind the smart option would be to put money on her to secure victory in two sets.

Kim Clijsters (BEL) vs. Nadia Petrova (RUS)

Clijsters is currently in red-hot form having won seven consecutive matches to start 2010 and will head into her third-round clash with Petrova high on confidence given her 4-0 record against the Russian. Despite her dominance over the world number 20, Clijsters can't afford to take Petrova lightly as she boasts a powerful serve and is strong from the baseline. However, there are major question marks over Petrova's ability to handle pressure on the big stage. Expect Clijsters to consistently put her opponent under plenty of pressure and win the majority of the big points. Three of Clijsters' wins over Petrova have been in straight sets therefore the smart option would be to put money on her to secure victory in two sets.

Justine Henin (BEL) vs. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS)

Henin's quest for an eighth grand slam is gathering steam. After a 6-4 6-3 win over fellow countrywoman Kirsten Flipkens, Henin, who is playing in just her second tournament after a 20-month retirement, toughed it out to prevail 7-5 7-6 (8-6) in an epic battle with world number five Elena Dementieva. She now faces No. 27 seed Kleybanova who accounted for Australian Jelena Dokic and Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the first two rounds. While Henin was guilty of making 57 unforced errors in her hard-fought win over Dementieva, she also cracked 43 winners. In comparison, Kleybanova made 27 winners in her victory over Cirstea. Henin won the only previous meeting with Kleybanova in the quarter finals at Antwerp back in 2008 6-4 6-3. Expect the score line to similar this time around with Henin's superior stroke play to be the difference.

Australian trio on course for third round

Tony Keen believes Australian trio will progress to the third round of the Australian Open.

The 20-year-old will undoubtedly put up more of a fight than Hocevar did but he will be no match for Hewitt who is hitting the ball better than he has for some time.

Samantha Stour (AUS) vs. Kristina Barrois (GER)

World number 13 Stosur didn't have it all her own way in her first-round win over Chinese qualifier Xinyun Han. After winning the first set 6-1, Stosur had her serve broken three times by her 192nd ranked opponent to lose the second 3-6 before wresting back control in the third set to secure victory after 91 minutes. While it wasn't exactly a convincing performance, it was a win and it will give Stosur some confidence after starting the year with three losses from four matches. The 28-year-old will now face Barrois who accounted for Akgul Amanmuradova in straight sets. Stosur is 63 places above her opponent in the rankings so you would expect her to prevail. Given the Australian's scratchy form the smart money would be on her to win in three sets.

Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) vs. Donald Young (USA)

Hewitt did as he pleased in his first-round clash with Brazilian Ricardo Hocevar, dropping just six games en route to a straight sets victory. A third round match-up with 2006 finalist Marcos Baghdatis and a fourth-round showdown with world number one Roger Federer are in the offing but first Hewitt must overcome Young who bounced back from a disappointing opening set to defeat Belgian Christophe Rochus in four sets. Hewitt accounted for the American 7-5 6-2 in their only previous meeting on a hard court in Washington last August. Young has the ability to hit a lot of winners but he is also prone to making a number of unforced errors. The 20-year-old will undoubtedly put up more of a fight than Hocevar did but he will be no match for Hewitt who is hitting the ball better than he has for some time. This journalist believes the smart option would be to put your hard-earned on Hewitt wrapping the match up in straight sets.

Casey Dellacqua (AUS) vs. Karolina Sprem (CRO)

Like Stosur, Dellacqua took three sets to overcome her first-round opponent. The 6-2 3-6 6-4 victory over Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus would have been a confidence boosting one for Dellacqua who was knocked out in the first round of the Brisbane International late last year and the Sydney Medibank International earlier this year. The West Australian, who had her 2009 season ruined by a serious shoulder injury, now faces Sprem who upset number 25 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues from Spain 6-3 6-2. Dellacqua showed en route to earning a wildcard entry into the first grand slam of the year that she hasn't lost any of the fighting qualities that helped her progress to the fourth round of the Australian Open back in 2008. She won six consecutive matches and saved three match points against fellow Australian Olivia Rogowska in the final of the Australian Open play-off tournament before eventually prevailing 1-6 7-6 (11-9) 6-3. In the only match played between Dellacqua and Sprem, the honours went to the Australian who prevailed 2-6 7-6 6-2 in Kolkata back in 2006. Expect Dellacqua to get up in a hard-fought three-set contest thanks to her tenacity and the support of a parochial home crowd.

Wily old Gicquel can advance in Melbourne

Ben Caudell opens up a fortnight of Aussie Open tips with a look at one game in either singles tournament



"Gicquel has a wise old head on his shoulders and will take advantage of any signs that Bolelli may implode. Gicquel won their most recent match 7-5 6-3 just under a year ago when Bolelli was in better form so I expect this match to go the same way, a straight sets win for the veteran."

Jie Zheng (CHI) v Shuai Peng (CHI)
I am going to open up my Australian Open daily tips with a match between the second- and third-ranked Chinese players. There's little to split Zheng and Peng on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles rankings, where they stand 35th and 46th respectively. I have chosen this match simply because I believe there is value in backing the younger of the two players, Peng. In my book this match should be priced up close to even money for both players but Peng can be backed at 3.0

Both Zheng and Peng know each others games inside out having trained together for Federation Cup matches and at junior levels. On the WTA Tour these two have played each other on three occasions and Peng leads the head-to-head series 2-1. Significantly, all three matches were played on hard courts. Their most recent match however was earlier this month in which Zheng destroyed Peng 6-2 6-1, the standard of tennis played that day was awful with both players struggling to find any kind of form. But that lone straightforward win for Zheng over her compatriot is the reason why she is so short in the match odds, Grand Slam matches are however a different ball-game and the pressure will be on both to reach the next round.

Peng finished the end of last season with some decent results, she managed to reach the semi-finals of the Guangzhou International tournament in China but had to retire against Shahar Peer. At the Beijing Open the 24-year-old played magnificently. On her way in reaching the quarter finals Peng managed to defeat Yaroslava Shvedova, Jelena Jankovic and Maria Sharapova before losing to Nadia Petrova in three sets.

I expect this to be a lot closer than their most recent match with plenty of value in backing Shuai Peng pre-match

Selection: Back Shuai Peng @ 3.0 to win match

Marc Gicquel (FRA) v Simone Bolelli (ITA)
Today's match between veteran Marc Gicquel and the Italian Simon Bolelli should prove to be a walk in the park for the Frenchman. Gicquel is one of the oldest players to play at this year's Australian Open but is showing no signs of hanging up his racket any time soon. The French stalwart has won seven of his last eight matches when priced as favourite, he has won three of four first round matches in Grand Slam tournaments of 2009 and has played five matches already this year (3-2) in Australia so is acclimatised to the both the weather and playing surface.

Bolelli on the other hand is yet to play In Australia and is in a terrible patch of form coming in to this years Australian Open, he is currently 1-9 losing in the first round of his last eight tournaments, has lost four of his last five in five-set matches and four of his last five priced as the underdog, amazingly his last win was way back in August 2009 against Andreas Beck in New Haven!

Although Bolelli showed some signs of his true potential against Rafael Nadal in Doha, the Italian is still ruined mentally. He has struggled to find any kind of consistency, often hitting out at balls for no reason other than pure frustration. Gicquel has a wise old head on his shoulders and will take advantage of any signs that Bolelli may implode. Gicquel won their most recent match 7-5 6-3 just under a year ago when Bolelli was in better form so I expect this match to go the same way, a straight sets win for the veteran.

Selection: Back Marc Giquel @ 1.55 to win match
Back Giquel 3-0 @ 4.0

SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL - WEDNESDAY WOMENS UPDATE

The Sydney International is underway, and at the end of Wednesday's play, the mens and womens singles sides of the draw are in stark contrast when it comes to upset results.

Seeded women to be bundled out early include Jelena Jankovic, Vera Zvonareva, Caroline Wozniacki and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Jankovic was ousted by Hungarian qualifier Agnes Szavay in 3 gruelling sets, while Zvonareva retired midway through the opening set, citing gastro illness.

Wozniacki was outclassed by Chinese player, Li Na, in three sets but never got out of second gear against her more inspired competitor. Russian-born Kuznetsova lost the opening set 7-5, and then struggled in the heat in the second set, eventually falling to Dominikia Cibulkova in lacklustre fashion 7-5, 6-2.

Reigning champion Serena Williams generally takes her time getting to top gear here in Australia, but it seems she has lifted her game a notch with the re-emergence of Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters. The American was in full flight in her round one match against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, winning effortlessly 6-1, 6-2.

In round two, Williams was always in control easing past Vera Dushevina 6-2, 6-2. She is the one to back for the womens side of the Australian Open.

Nikolay Davydenko

Nikolay Davydenko is without question the form player of mens tennis at the minute.

Davydenko has consistently toppled the world's best in recent times, including world No.1 Roger Federer last year's Australian open winner Rafael Nadal.

He was recently crowned the champion in Qatar, beating Nadal in the final after overcoming Federer in the semi-finals. That's super form, after taking out the ATO World tour Masters in London after an injury-interrupted 2009.

Davydenko admits Australia is a difficult proposition, despite making the quarter finals three times.

But there is genuine concern if the temperature soars.

He has been the notable shortener on Betfair, and has the recent form on the board which is too hard to ignore.

Rafael Nadal

Last year's Australian Open winner has gone without a title for eight months.

That's not to say he isn't playing worthy tennis, however.

He should have won in Qatar, beaten by Davydenko in the final after looking in control. His recent lack of titles only lifts his value for punters and it might even see him drift out to a price even more attractive than 2009 when he got the prize.

Don't discount him, he is slowly but surely clawing his way back to his best.

Roger Federer

Federer has bypassed the Australian lead-up tournaments, opting to practice at his own leisure in Australia. He practised in the sweltering heat on Tuesday, while wife Mirka watched from the sidelines.

Federer withdrew from the traditional lead-up tournament, the Kooyong Classic believing he had enough match fitness under his belt following his semi final defeat to Nikolay Davydenko.

We all know the competitive juices really heat up for the Swiss ace when faced with the prospect of another grand slam, and despite not being in vintage form, it would be impossible to discount his chances.

You can nearly guarantee he will see semi-finals action.

Justine Henin

2004 Australian Open winner Justine Henin trained without a hitch on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday, to ease fears that her gluteal strain sustained in the Brisbane International final will hamper her bid to add another title in 2010.

Henin injured her left gluteal muscle during her three-set defeat to Kim Clijsters on Sunday, but enjoyed a comfortable, yet sustained hit on the surface for the first time in two years. She was unable to use her wildcard at the Medibank International in Sydney as her final preparation, due to the injury, but will more than likely admit she advanced further than expected in Brisbane.

The former world No.1 looks to be in fine shape for a genuine tilt at the year's first grand slam. She is capable of emulating Clijsters' feat of winning a grand slam promptly after returning to the game, especially if her serve has continued to improve.

Argentine and Belgian top Open chances

As the first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open can be a bit hit and miss as a punting proposition.



However, for the first time in a long time, I have settled on two picks and am keen to wade into the market.

In the Australian open men's tournament, Del Potro looks the goods.

His epic win over Federer in the US may just sound the death knell on the Swiss star's reign at the top. Having got that crucial first slam out of the way, Del Potro's confidence should be sky high, and with Nadal also not the force he was, the tournament looks ripe for the Argentine's picking.

At $7.80 to back in the Betfair market, 'Get on!'

In the Australian open women's, I have been a long-term fan of Justine Henin and am confident she can do what Clijsters did before her and come back after a long absence to grab a slam...with the proviso that she shakes off her thigh injury in time for the tournament to start.

Like Del Potro, Clijsters was superb at the US, but the difference in the women's draw is that it has suddenly got much tougher with Henin back in town. Her form at the lead-up tournament in Brisbane (a few problems with her serve notwithstanding) has been great and she looks hungry for victory, with a great comeback to almost roll Clijster's in the Brisbane International. Such superb shots and an aggressive approach to the game means she deserves a second spell at the top of the women's game and I fancy she had the better of Clijsters when they were both dominant.

My approach: go hard on both for the win (if Henin makes the field) and take the 35/1 or so available on the double for a cricket score collect.

Roddick worth backing in Brisbane

He takes on Czech Radek Stepanek, ranked five places below him at no. 12 in the world, in what will be the seventh meeting between the two.



Roddick has only lost once to Stepanek so far, and though that was also on a hard court in San Jose last year, he does have three hard court victories over him.

Most recently he won in straight sets in the final at Memphis last year, having also denied Stepanek the title in San Jose the previous year when again he did it in the minimum number of sets.

Roddick has triple the cash

Though Stepanek tourned pro four years before Roddick, in 1996, he has only four career titles to the American's 27 and has earned just over one-third the career prize money of Roddick.

The pair have lost just about the same number of matches during their career, but compared to Stepanek's 258 victories, Roddick has almost double with 507 so far.

World no. 7 Roddick had some awkward moments before beating fourth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych in Saturday's semi-final.

The American had had things all his own way previously in the tournament, holding his serve for 30 straight games, but was broken in his opening service game by Berdych, who won the first set 6-1.

But Roddick was able to dig deep, winning the first three games of the second set and levelling the match at one set apiece as he won the second 6-3.

Defending champion has claims

The third set went on serve until Roddick broke in the ninth game to lead 5-4, and duly rounded out the match next game.

Stepanek cannot be discounted, of course, particularly as he is the defending champion, and his semi-final victory was convincing.

He brushed aside Gael Monfils with little problem, winning 6-2 6-1, the third-seeded Frenchman appearing to be well below his best while nursing a shoulder injury.

It would not be a surprise to see Stepanek take a set off Roddick, and I can see the American winning 2-1.

Henin faces tough opener.

Everyone likes a fairy story. But the chances of Justine Henin making a fairytale comeback and winning her first tournament, the Brisbane International, receded when the draw was made, writes Andy Morris.



What the former world no. 1 would have dearly loved was a fairly easy re-introduction into the world of competitive sport.

What she got was her name paired with second seed Nadia Petrova.

The fact that it was Petrova who actually made the draw didn't make it any easier to swallow for the Belgian.

Henin always knew it was going to be tough for her, going into the draw as a wild card, but it couldn't have been much harder.

There will still be plenty of money riding on Henin to come back strong after her 20-month break from the game.

Experience may count

She says she believes she can be a better player, reaping the rewards of her experience and her time off the court.

And if she can beat Petrova first up, watch her odds for the title drop.

If Henin can achieve what her fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters did when starting her own comeback last year, it will make a wonderful story.

Clijsters stunned the tennis world by winning the US Open in August, and there is the potential for the friends to meet in the final as they are in opposite ends of the draw.

Clijsters should have a comfortable passage through to the second round after being drawn to play Italy's Tathiana Garbin.

Dokic has a tough task

Jelena Dokic is not what you'd call a universally popular Australian sporting figure - not least due to her father Damir's antics - but there will be plenty of interest in how she performs in Brisbane.

Last year's Australian Open quarterfinalist may face an early exit this time, though, as she takes on no. 3 seed and former world no. 1, Serbian Ana Ivanovic.

Her last season was ruined by injury and illness, but the world no.56 looks fit and healthy and will hope to avoid a similar fate to 12 months ago when she was beaten in the first round by Amelie Mauresmo.

This years mens event

This year's mens event is shaping up to be every bit as enthralling as last year's edition, when Rafael Nadal overcame Roger Federer in an epic five-set encounter. The experts believe they have narrowed this year's title race to 4, possibly 5 serious contenders. Swiss world number one Roger Federer heads the list as standout first pick, with last year's champion Rafael Nadal, 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic rounding out the main chances. Keep in mind that there is not one player whose chances can be dismissed, but other notable players with genuine claims include Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Andy Roddick, Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Verdasco.

An intriguing battle is also assured for this year's womens event with reigning champion Serena Williams and comeback queen Kim Clijsters headlining the market. A long list of accomplished and capable players are lining up to dethrone the world number one Serena Williams. Glamour girl Maria Sharapova looks to add to her 2008 Australian Open victory and the granting of a wildcard entry to seven time grand slam winner Justine Henin should prove to be a masterstroke by the organisers. The Russian brigade of Dinara Safina, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva and Vena Zvonerava are all capable of producing scintillating tennis along with Bulgarian Victoria Azarenka. Sam Stosur looks Australia's best hope, and the wildcard entry for Alicia Molik creates some interest.

The Australian Open always comes around quickly and before you know it we are already talking about the new Australian Open champion and looking towards the second grand slam of the year, the French Open. With the Australian Open prize money set at $2.1m for the each singles winner in 2010 it is set to be a cracking event, and as always with tennis there is plenty of value for punters to take advantage of on Betfair.

The draw will be released on the 15th of January 2010. The Australian Open Website will have full draw sheets from the five main draw tournaments, the four junior tournaments and the wheelchair tournament.

Australian Open Tennis Odds

Double chance of a Williams success

Serena and Venus Williams are favourites in Australian Open odds, with their Eastern European rivals available at attractive odds, writes Andy Morris.

As far as the market is concerned at this stage, the organisers can etch the name Williams onto the trophy and just leave the christian name to be put in after the final.

It would not, of course, be the first time Serena's name would appear on the trophy - she won in 2003, 2005 and 2007. The closest her older sister has come was in 2003 when she lost to Serena in the final.

From last year

The Australian open tennis tournament is the first grand slam event of the year. From 19 January - 1 February 2010, Melbourne Park Stadium will play host to all the top ranked tennis players in world tennis. The Australian open is a notoriously tough event, with searing temperatures often reaching 40 degrees and one of tennis's most coveted prizes, a grand slam title, up for grabs.

The Australian open tennis mens event has all the makings of an outstanding contest although some people are saying that it's really a contest between 4 players. The big 4 - Roger Federer, Raphael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are all in contention but then no one can be ruled out in this contest and players such as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Juan Martin Del Potro, Gilles Simon and Andy Roddick have everything to play for.

The Australian open womens event is no less interesting; with Maria Sharipova having pulled out leaving a vacant title and a field of strong determined players eager to take her place. Venus Williams and Serena Williams are the favourites in this competition with Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic following close behind with excellent odds for an upset.

As always this event comes around quickly and before you know it we are already talking about the new Australian open champion and looking towards the second grand slam of the year the French Open. With the Australian open prize money set at $20,000,000 for 2010 it is set to be a spectacular event.

The draw will be released on the 16th of January 2010. The Australian Open Website will have full draw sheets from the five main draw tournaments, the four junior tournaments and the wheelchair tournament.