[we0MA4MI]

okay, it is WAY too early. But given the state of the WTA, it's always full to look ahead. Kind of funny that the # 2 fave played 3 tournaments and only 1 Slam, while the #3 favorites didn't play at all this year:

Odds: Winner 2010 Australian Open

Serena Williams 4.00

Kim Clijsters 5.50
Justine Henin 7.00

Venus Williams 9.00
Maria Sharapova 11.00
Dinara Safina 14.00
Elena Dementieva 16.00
Carolina Wozniacki 17.00
Viktoria Azarenka 20.00

http://www.betbrain.com/oddsOverview...0918127/site/0

[attackDoold]

Serena Williams 4.00

Kim Clijsters 5.50
Justine Henin 7.00

Venus Williams 9.00
Maria Sharapova 11.00
Dinara Safina 14.00
Elena Dementieva 16.00
Carolina Wozniacki 17.00
Viktoria Azarenka 20.00

I think Venus and Sharapova should be at the bottom of that particular list. Safina and Dementieva look like pretty good bargains.

[Karinochka]

My god, Justine really is back isn't she?

If Serena gets that suspension, my money is on Justine. I can't see Kim beating her in a slam. Maria could be back to somehwat normal by then, but she's definitely a wild card.

[SannyGlow]

I think Venus and Sharapova should be at the bottom of that particular list. Safina and Dementieva look like pretty good bargains.

Justine should definitely not even be on it.

[r5YOPDyk]

What if Serena and Kim win all the majors in 2010 and bomb the regular reason, and Safina keep her No.1? That will be crazy!!

[we0MA4MI]

What if Serena and Kim win all the majors in 2010 and bomb the regular reason, and Safina keep her No.1? That will be crazy!!

Kim takes another major in 2010, and personally, I won't care where she's ranked.

[carfAball]

I think Venus and Sharapova should be at the bottom of that particular list. Safina and Dementieva look like pretty good bargains.

There's no way Safina has a better shot than Sharapova.

[attackDoold]

There's no way Safina has a better shot than Sharapova.

I absolutely think she does. I don't think Sharapova's shoulder can hold up for seven matches and two weeks. Safina's best slams are the Australian and the French, and I think she'll win one of them as soon as she calms the heck down.

[koebforfrn]

okay, it is WAY too early. But given the state of the WTA, it's always full to look ahead. Kind of funny that the # 2 fave played 3 tournaments and only 1 Slam, while the #3 favorites didn't play at all this year:

Odds: Winner 2010 Australian Open

Serena Williams 4.00

Kim Clijsters 5.50
Justine Henin 7.00

Venus Williams 9.00
Maria Sharapova 11.00
Dinara Safina 14.00
Elena Dementieva 16.00
Carolina Wozniacki 17.00
Viktoria Azarenka 20.00

http://www.betbrain.com/oddsOverview...0918127/site/0

Given Serena's history with the Aussie Open.....I don't see how she's going to win it. 2010 is an even year. Everyone knows she only wins the Aussie during odd years It's like someone put a curse on her!

[attackDoold]

If someone was giving even odds and letting you bet on the AO Champ being a first time slam winner or someone adding to their collection, which would you choose?

I think I'd go with the no-slammers right now. Jankovic, Dementieva, Azarenka, Wozniacki, Safina, and all the dark horses. Someone has to mix things up eventually.

[Pashtet]

If someone was giving even odds and letting you bet on the AO Champ being a first time slam winner or someone adding to their collection, which would you choose?

I think I'd go with the no-slammers right now. Jankovic, Dementieva, Azarenka, Wozniacki, Safina, and all the dark horses. Someone has to mix things up eventually.

I'd take someone adding to their collection in a heartbeat. Jankovic has no shot, end of story. Dementieva seems to have lost her best chance after a great summer culminated in a hugely disappointing USO (although I've thought that before about her). Azarenka hasn't done much of anything since Miami. Wozniacki took advantage of an easy draw to make the USO final; She didn't really play anyone other than Kuznetsova. Safina: after what she did this year, do you really still think she has a chance, especially on a hard court? The French Open was the place for new slam winners, maybe the US Open, but now with Clijsters and Henin back it will be more difficult.

And speaking of Clijsters and Henin, I'd take the two of them along with Serena over the rest of the field in Australia by a landslide. Throw in Sharapova and you've got a royal flush.

[foonlesse]

If someone was giving even odds and letting you bet on the AO Champ being a first time slam winner or someone adding to their collection, which would you choose?

I think I'd go with the no-slammers right now. Jankovic, Dementieva, Azarenka, Wozniacki, Safina, and all the dark horses. Someone has to mix things up eventually.

Between the choices given, I will take Azarenka as she had a great start to 2009. With rest, I believe she will be able to duplicate her start and this time cap it off with the AO title.

However, I think the winner will be adding to their Slam total whose name is not Serena as this is an even year and may not be around to defend if the ITF suspend her.

[we0MA4MI]

Updated, per Betfair. Dinara has dropped, probably due to her back. I imagine there will be some shift in these following Brisbane.

Serena Williams 4.0
Kim Clijsters 5.9
Justine Henin 8.0
Venus Williams 15.5
Maria Sharapova 15.5
Victoria Azarenka 27.0
Elena Dementieva 28.0
Svetlana Kuznetsova 26.0
Caroline Wozniacki 19.0
Dinara Safina 30.0

[SannyGlow]

I'd take someone adding to their collection in a heartbeat. Jankovic has no shot, end of story. Dementieva seems to have lost her best chance after a great summer culminated in a hugely disappointing USO (although I've thought that before about her). Azarenka hasn't done much of anything since Miami. Wozniacki took advantage of an easy draw to make the USO final; She didn't really play anyone other than Kuznetsova. Safina: after what she did this year, do you really still think she has a chance, especially on a hard court? The French Open was the place for new slam winners, maybe the US Open, but now with Clijsters and Henin back it will be more difficult.

And speaking of Clijsters and Henin, I'd take the two of them along with Serena over the rest of the field in Australia by a landslide. Throw in Sharapova and you've got a royal flush.

I agree with all of this post, with the exception of Henin (too soon) and Sharapova (don't trust the shoulder). Personally, I'm feeling Serena with a vengeance this year, and not just for the AO. A Serena with an axe to grind is a very dangerous opponent.

[we0MA4MI]

I agree with all of this post, with the exception of Henin (too soon) and Sharapova (don't trust the shoulder). Personally, I'm feeling Serena with a vengeance this year, and not just for the AO. A Serena with an axe to grind is a very dangerous opponent.

My one big fear about that "Serena with an ax to grind" is that her emotions are going to get the best of her. We've now seen in a couple of situations this past year Serena lash out on court, and while that fire can certainly take her game to another level, it can also cause a lot of trouble if it is not properly contained and used for her own benefit.

I can't wait to see what she brings to the Aussie. To be honest, I don't expect huge results from her at Sydney, but I think the Australian is going to be fascinating for her, and for a lot of other WTA stroylines that will play out over the season.

[AngelinaTheElf]

IMO Maria's a bargain at 11-1. She's still never lost on Plexicushion, and should benefit from an additional 6 weeks of rest/recovery and fitness/stamina training on the shoulder. If she serves well, she wins it, IMHO. Even with a bum shoulder, she was lethal here in '08. If she's up and down on the serve, she still will be a factor.

Safina still getting no respect I see.

[indentKew]

IMO Maria's a bargain at 11-1. She's still never lost on Plexicushion, and should benefit from an additional 6 weeks of rest/recovery and fitness/stamina training on the shoulder. If she serves well, she wins it, IMHO. Even with a bum shoulder, she was lethal here in '08. If she's up and down on the serve, she still will be a factor.

Safina still getting no respect I see.

If I was a casino, I'd be excited to see you coming!

[Glanteeignile]

The latest odds (betfair) for AO winners:

WTA

Clijsters 4.6
S. Williams 4.7
Henin 6
Sharapova 12
Wozniacki 19.5
V. Williams 22
Dementieva 24
Kuznetsova 26
Safina 32
Azarenka 34

ATP

Federer 4
Nadal 5.8
Murray 7.6
del Potro 8.2
Djokovic 8.8
Davydenko 14.5
Roddick 29
Soderling 42
Cilic 46
Verdasco 75

[foonlesse]

ATP did not change much as the WTA made some changes with Caro chances are better than Venus

[loikrso]

If I was a casino, I'd be excited to see you coming!

This is funny.