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Tennis::: Aus Open 2015...


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Novak Djokovic, Serbia
 
Djokovic is a favorite in the seedings—and a favorite with the oddsmakers—to win Australian Open title No. 5. And it’s hard to argue otherwise. His track record in Melbourne speaks for itself; he can bring his fitness to bear. A source of hope for other players: he’s lost nine of his last 11 majors — including last year in Melbourne. Still, he’s a heavy fave.
 
 
 
Roger Federer, Switzerland
 
Even discounting for nostalgia and wishful storyline thinking, the notion of Federer winning his first major in 30 months isn’t entirely fanciful. He comes in having won his 1,000th match in Brisbane and his play over the last 12 months has been inspired. Especially if Djokovic something falls, this could get interesting.
 
 
 
 ​Rafael Nadal, Spain
 
Nadal’s status has echoes of Serena Williams. He appears poised to dominate; and his body wages war with itself. He appears to be fading; and returns abruptly to win big prizes. It’s hard to imagine Nadal playing to his seeding after this layoff—especially at the only Slam he’s won only once. An opening match against Mikhail Youzhny could be a disguised blessing.
 
 
 
Stan Wawrinka, Switzerland
 
At once, the defending champ and a wild card. Stanimal looked strong winning Chennai tune-up and was the best player at the Davis Cup finale in November. But he hasn’t even been to a Slam semifinal since his 2014 breakthrough. This is a big opportunity for Wawrinka to shed the one-Slam-wonder label. If he loses early, he’ll fall out of the top ten—though that’s unlikely given his draw.
 
 
 
Kei Nishikori, Japan
 
After reaching U.S. Open final, there’s only one “next step” he can take.
Durability remains a concern, but not out of the question we could have two consecutive Asian champs at the “Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific.”
 
 
 
Andy Murray, Great Britain
 
A generally forgettable 2014 was salvaged a bit with both a mini surge in the fall and a firm commitment to coach Amelie Mauresmo (and a firm committment by Under Armour.) A (multiple) losing finalist in Melbourne, Murray should offer a barometer for 2015 with his play.
 
 
Tomas Berdych, Czech Republic
 
A bit of a copy and paste since, say, 2005: Lots of power, lots of game. But does he have the consistency to play seven matches without the (hitherto inevitable) dip?
 
 
Milos Raonic, Canada
 
Still at the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately phase. We know he’s a top ten player. We know he can play into the second week of a major. But its up to him to prove this is not a ceiling. (And, alas, he is in Djokovic’s quarter of the draw.)
 
 
 
 ​David Ferrer, Spain
 
We keep hearing about his inexorable decline, but it hasn’t come yet. At age 32—with a lot of miles on the odometer— he won his 22nd title in Doha last week.
 
 
 
Grigor Dimitrov, Bulgaria
 
Not unlike Raonic, the talent is undeniable, but the salon is getting a tad impatient, especially since his results have dipped a bit over the last few months. (He hasn't had a win over a top 20 opponent since August.) A lot to like, but the breakthrough is eagerly anticipated.

 

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Serena Williams, United States
 
First the bad news: her play this week was unremarkable and she hasn’t won in Australia—once her Slam of choice—in a half decade; plus she is 33. The good news: she is Serena Williams. Which is to say little of the above has much predictive value. Winner of the previous major is the player to beat yet again.
 
 
 
​Maria Sharapova, Russia
 
Especially for an A-list celebrity, it’s remarkable how quietly she goes about her business. Despite some shaky moments in 2014, she glides back into the No. 2 slot.
 
 
Simona Halep, Romania
 
An athletic, well-rounded, thoroughly enjoyable-to-watch player begins to try and build on her breakthrough 2014. She already started in 2015 with a title in Shenzhen.
 
 
Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic
 
On the ballstriking, the Wimbledon champion should always be an A-list contender, if not a favorite. But she wilts in extreme in conditions and the Australian summer might be asking too much of her constitutionally. But, she performed well and won a title on Friday in Sydney.
 
 
Ana Ivanovic, Serbia
 
It’s been (gulp) seven years since she reached the final. But she’s played herself back to No. 5, which is an achievement in itself. Her play (and self-belief) at majors still aren’t what they were in 2008. But it will be a disappointment if she doesn’t play up to her seeding. Look for her possible third rounder against Belinda Bencic.
 
 
Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland
 
If nothing else, she’ll be fun to follow, this being her first Slam under coach Martina Navratilova. There’s plenty to like about her game—and she did beat Azarenka, then the defending champ, in Melbourne in 2014—but still needs to solve the power deficit issue.
 
 
Eugenie Bouchard, Canada
 
Bouchard returns to the scene of her breakthrough. She has a new coach, new agent, new profile—and a lot of tumult and attention over the last few months. It will be interesting to get some geo-coding on the state of her tennis.
 
 
 
​Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark
 
Apart from running a marathon, she has played top five-quality tennis over the last six months. A finalist at the previous major, this is a big opportunity to continue her upward trajectory. (Though a loss to Venus in Hobart should qualify as a minor setback.)
 
 
Angelique Kerber, Germany
 
The solid lefty is becoming the Ferrer of the WTA. She’s a good bet to reach the second week; a lousy bet to beat players above her.
 
 
Ekaterina Makarova, Russia
 
A new face in the top ten, E-Mak is a solid, middle weekend player who beat Serena in Melbourne.
 
 
Dominika Cibulkova, Slovakia
 
She all but disappeared since her run to the finals in 2014. If she needs motivation, her ranking will plummet if she loses early.
 
 
 
Flavia Pennetta, Italy
 
She bageled Serena in her first set of the season in Perth, but her results haven’t been great otherwise.
 
 
Andrea Petkovic, Germany
 
A very nice bounce-back for the affable German.
 
 
Sara Errani, Italy
 
Indefatigable counterpuncher deserves our admiration but is always susceptible to big hitting.
 
 
Jelena Jankovic, Serbia
 
It’s never boring with Jankovic. But sadly, you sense the window is closing.
 
 
Lucie Safarova, Czech Republic
 
Not unlike former boyfriend, Tomas Berdych, she is dangerous but streaky.
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First round upset!?
 
If Nadal is anything less than 100 percent, he is vulnerable against Youzhny—who’s beaten him before at a hardcourt major
 
and Thanasi Kokkinakis over Gulbis.
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First round matches to watch
 
Dominic Thiem v. Bautista Agut: Brutal first round draw for both, but they are two of ATP’s brighter lights.
 
Janowicz  v. Del Potro
 
Kokkannakis v. Gulbis: If nothing else, the atmosphere ought to be electric.
 
Nishikori v. Nicolas Almagro: There were reports that Almagro—off the tour since the French Open—wasn’t ready to post. But it’s still a potential tough test against a veteran for Nishikori.
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How Will Stan Wawrinka's Title Defense Go?
 
Wawrinka kicked off a crazy year on the ATP World Tour when he toppled an injured Nadal in the Australian Open final last year, and he remained relevant for the rest of the season, also winning his first Masters title in Monte Carlo and capturing the Davis Cup crown alongside Federer.
 
But defending a Slam is a level of pressure he's never experienced before. Can the Swiss star keep it together when he's under the microscope?
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Underrated Men's Players to Watch
 
Nick Kyrgios
 
Kyrgios proved in 2014 that he's a big-match player, with a huge win over Nadal at Wimbledon and a run to the top 50. In front of his home country, the Australian teenager could do some damage at this Slam—as long as injuries don't derail his plans. 
 
 
Juan Martin del Potro
 
He's back! The 2009 U.S. Open winner is back in action after missing the last 10 months of play due to yet another wrist injury. His ranking has toppled down to No. 338 in the world, but that's certainly not indicative of his talent; when Delpo plays well, he can beat anyone.
 
 
Milos Raonic
 
The 6'5" Canadian is off to a great start to 2015 after making it to the Sydney final and narrowly losing to Roger Federer. He's currently ranked No. 8, so his draw should be pretty good, and the conditions in Australia really suit him.
 
Raonic is often dismissed as just a serve, but the rest of his game has improved dramatically over the last year. He's one to watch for sure.
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Top Men's Contenders
 
Novak Djokovic
 
Yes, this is a shocking statement, I know, but the world No. 1 and the four-time winner of this tournament has a great chance of going home with this title once again. 
 
 
Roger Federer
 
Even though Federer is playing remarkably great tennis at the age of 33, his body will run out of steam one of these days. He needs to take advantage of his good form if he wants to add another Slam to his title list, and this wide-open Aussie Open could be just the place.
 
 
Rafa Nadal
 
We've seen Nadal come back from an injury before and steamroll the competition, and if he makes it through the first few rounds in Australia, there's no reason why he couldn't find his form and comfort and win his second Australian Open title. He's made the final the last two times he's played in Melbourne.
 
 
Andy Murray
 
If Murray can carry over his form from the end of the 2014 season, he could finally win this title. He's come close before, making the final in three of the last five years.
 
 
Stan Wawrinka
 
Don't sleep on the defending champion—he's ranked No. 4 in the world for a reason.
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