Women's Draw At Australian Open Underway, Favorites Out To Fast Start

Sports News - January 18th, 2010 - Written By Bryan

American tennis player Serena Williams begins her title defense of the 2010 Australian Open, the season's first Major championship. A straight-set win over Dinara Safina earned Williams the title last year, and she now has a mark on her back.

Williams is the leading favorite to repeat as champion according to Bodog Sportsbook, but several other top contenders are right behind her, and will make her task difficult. Williams, along with the other top-ranked women in the sport, will all be vying for their chance to write history, and raise the trophy at the tournaments conclusion.

Listed as a 3/2 favorite to win the 2010 Australian Open before the tournament began, Serena heads into her first round match focused. The Australian Open was one of three singles titles Williams won in 2009, and she would love to defend her championship. Last year, only one her matches went past two sets as Williams cruised to her fourth Australian Open title. Williams is set to face Urszula Radwanska in the opening round of the tournament.

Kim Clijsters is just behind Williams as the second favorite to claim the year's first major. Clijsters was listed at 3/1 odds win the Australian Open. Last year, Clijsters won the US Open to claim a Major championship, which included a win over Serena Williams in the semi-finals. Clijsters has already advanced to the second round by defeating Valerie Tetreault (6-0, 6-4) in straight sets.

Justine Henin is another leading favorite entering the tournament. She won the Australian Open back in 2004 and looks to get back to her winning ways in 2010. Henin's odd were at 6/1 coming into this year's Australian Open. The former No. 1 ranked player in the World made her return to competitive tennis in September of 2009 following a two-year retirement. Henin awaits her next opponent as she already defeated Kirsten Klipkens (6-4, 6-3).

The second ranked player in the World, Dinara Safina, is also a leading favorite to win the Australian Open title. After losing in the final of the event last year to Serena Williams, Safina will be looking to get over the hump this time around. She claimed the French Open last season and knows what it takes to win a major. Prior to the start of the Australian Open, she was listed at 16/1 odds to win the event. In straight sets, Safina easily defeated Magdalena Rybarikova (6-4, 6-4).

The Australian Open will be played from January 18th until January 31st, and live coverage can be seen on ESPN through the duration of the event. Check back as the event continues for updated odds for Tennis Betting as each round progresses.