Player Profiles

(1) Caroline Wozniacki

Wozniacki - world number one.
Age: 20
Nationality: Danish
Became Pro: 2005
Height: 1.77
Odds: 4/1

Arrives in Melbourne as the world number one, but without a Grand Slam title to her name.
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(2) Vera Zvonareva

Zvonareva - two Grand Slam finals in 2010.
Age: 26
Nationality: Russian
Became Pro: 2000
Height: 1.72
Odds: 11/2

The Russian was one of the success stories of last season, reaching two Grand Slam finals.
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(3) Kim Clijsters

Clijsters - finished 2010 well.
Age: 27
Nationality: Belgian
Became Pro: 1997
Height: 1.74
Odds: 6/5

US Open champion Clijsters starts as the worthy favourite in Melbourne.
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(4) Venus Williams

Williams - yet to win in Melbourne.
Age: 30
Nationality: American
Became Pro: 1994
Height: 1.85

Yet to win the Australian Open, Williams' preparations have been hindered by injury.
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(5) Sam Stosur

Stosur - home hope.
Age: 26
Nationality: Australian
Became Pro: 1999
Height: 1.72

Stosur starts as the home nation's big hope for success in 2011.
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(6) Francesca Schiavone

Schiavone - shock winner in Paris in 2010.
Age: 30
Nationality: Italian
Became Pro: 1998
Height: 1.66
Odds: 40/1

The French Open champion is likely to find it harder on the faster surface in Melbourne.
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(7) Jelena Jankovic

Jankovic - former world number one.
Age: 25
Nationality: Serbian
Became Pro: 2000
Height: 1.77

The former world number one does not have a great record at Melbourne Park.
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(8) Victoria Azarenka

Azarenka - former junior champ.
Age: 21
Nationality: Belarusian
Became Pro: 2003
Height: 1.80

Azarenka won the junior title at Melbourne Park back in 2005 and now bids for the senior crown.
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(9) Na Li

Li: Semi-finalist in 2010
Age: 28
Nationality: Chinese
Became Pro: 1999
Height: 1.72
Odds: 11/2

Li enjoyed her best Grand Slam run last year but faces a tough task to recreate that form.
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(10) Shahar Peer

Peer: Rising up the rankings
Age: 23
Nationality: Israeli
Became Pro: 2004
Height: 1.70

Peer may not have a great Grand Slam pedigree but comes into the tournament on an upward curve.
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(11) Justine Henin

Henin: Back from injury
Age: 28
Nationality: Belgian
Became Pro: 1999
Height: 1.67

A year after reaching the final on her 2010 return, Henin looks for a comeback of a different sort this year.
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(12) Agnieszka Radwanska

Radwanska: Hopes to fulfil potential
Age: 21
Nationality: Polish
Became Pro: 2005
Height: 1.72
Odds: 80/1

Radwanska will hope to prove her true credentials after being labelled a future star for some time.
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(13) Nadia Petrova

Petrova: Outside chance
Age: 28
Nationality: Russian
Became Pro: 1999
Height: 1.78

Petrova has been as high as third in the world rankings, but is unlikely to be tipped for Australian Open glory.
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(14) Maria Sharapova

Sharapova: Good record in Melbourne
Age: 23
Nationality: Russian
Became Pro: 2001
Height: 1.88

The 2008 champion has not fully recovered from injury troubles but will always be a threat.
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(15) Marion Bartoli

Bartoli: Reached 2007 Wimbledon final
Age: 26
Nationality: French
Became Pro: 2000
Height: 1.70

The former Wimbledon finalist will hope for another giant-killing run at the Australian Open.
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(16) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Pavluchenkova: Young prospect
Age: 19
Nationality: Russian
Became Pro: 2005
Height: 1.77

The 19-year-old Russian is hoping for a Grand Slam breakthrough after impressing on the WTA Tour.
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Experts & Blogs

Barry Cowan

Eyes on the rise

Barry Cowan is keeping a particularly close eye on Milos Raonic, Ryan Harrison and Bernard Tomic.

Barry Cowan

Doubt of the blue

Barry Cowan explains why some top players are unhappy about playing on blue clay in Madrid.