Tennis Anyone? A Preview of the 2011 Aussie Open

Hey guys, hope everyone had an excellent weekend!  Although the tournament started yesterday I will be previewing the Australian Open today.  As a pretty big tennis guy, its only fair that I do the sport some justice as most people could care less about tennis...!  The hype generated by this tournament is that Rafael Nadal can complete the 'Rafa Slam' by winning this tournament.  He won the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open last year, so this would make four in a row if he triumphs down under.  On the women's side, the field is pretty open! Serena Williams is sidelined with an injury, opening things up as she has been pretty dominant the past few years on tour.  Lets first take a look at the women's favorites and then at the men's. 

2011 Women's Australian Open: The Favorites

Kim Clijsters - The 2010 U.S. Open winner has been the most consistent woman on tour as of late, and this Aussie Open looks like a great opportunity for her to add to the three U.S Opens she already has.

Caroline Wozniacki - The young Swiss girl is currently #1 in the world, so you can't not call her a favorite right?  Although Wozniacki has never won a major, her powerful strokes and consistent results could help her win her first Slam.

Venus Williams - Never count her out! Even though she hasn't been very good on any surface but grass over the past five years, I still think she has something left in the tank! Expect her to make a run down under

Justine Henin - Why not? She has great ground strokes. However, a lingering elbow injury may contribute to decline.  If she looks healthy, watch out!

Maria Sharapova - Not a serious contender, as she is too inconsistent. But lets be honest, who wouldn't want to see her out there for the majority of this tournament?

Predicted Winner? Clijsters.  If not Clijsters? Wozniacki.

Now for the Men's Draw...

2011 Australian Open Men's Favorites

Rafael Nadal - He is clearly the best player on the men's tour right now.  He has a lethal kick serve and has the best range of any player on tour.  However, he will have to serve very well to complete the Rafa slam, as the Rebound Ace surface can favor big servers and provide the players with interesting bounces.

Roger Federer - He won it last year and is playing great tennis right now.  I feel like the only player that can consistently beat him right now is Nadal, so if Federer doesn't have to play Nadal in this tournament, I don't see him losing a match.  The Fed has enough left in the tank to win two or three majors, and the 2011 Australian Open is a great opportunity for him.

Novak Djokovic- The third best player in the world right now, just a step below Nadal and Federer.  As entertaining as he is, his conditioning is an issue and he will have to get pretty fortunate to defeat Nadal or Federer, even though he is a past Australian Open Champ

Andy Murray -  Made the final here against Federer last year, can the Scot finally break through?  He will have to serve very well to defeat the likes of Nadal or Federer, and is vulnerable to losing to players like Andy Roddick or Tomas Berdych.

Likely Winner? Federer.  If not Federer? Nadal

Hopefully these predictions turn out to be true.  Once the semifinals roll around I hope to blog about the tournament again.  Best of luck to Andy Roddick, but I feel that he is too old and inconsistent to compete at the highest level anymore.  At least he has her to keep him happy.  Hopefully I can watch a bit of this tournament over the upcoming week, and I intend to watch at least some of the final Sunday morning January 30th! (sorry Marilynn, I'm sure you will understand and hopefully watch a bit with me).  Until then hoping for a great tournament!