WTA Australian Open draw and betting odds

The Women`s tennis game is set to be rejuvenated this year, and is likely to be much more competitive at the top, with the return of Belgian duo Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin. Clijsters shocked the tennis world in September, winning the US Open just after she had come out of retirement, and she will be one of the front runners here.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Henin will be looking for an equally successful return to the game, and has form at this competition, having won it in 2004. She lost to her old rival Clijsters in her return in the Brisbane International, losing 3-6, 6-4, 6-7, in the final. She will face fellow Belgian Kirsten Flipkens in her opening match.

Serena Williams is the top seed for the tournament, but will be disappointed to learn that there is no chance of an all-Williams final this year, as she is scheduled to meet sixth-seeded Venus in the semi-finals, if both players make it that far. She is likely to face either 2008 Australian runner-up Ana Ivanovic, or world no. 7 Victoria Azarenka in the quarter finals.

Henin and Clijsters are both on the other side of the draw, and could face each other in the quarters. First Henin will have to beat fifth seed Elena Dementieva, who beat Serena last night in the final of the Sydney International. A potential match up with World No. 2 Dinara Safina waits in the semi-final of this side of the draw.

Serena is favourite for the tournament, priced at 3/1 (bet $10 to make $30 profit), ahead of Clijsters who is at 7/2. Henin is a little further back at 6/1, followed by 2008 winner Maria Sharapova at 10/1. Sharapova could not defend her title last year due to a shoulder injury, and is in the same quarter as Safina.

Venus Williams is rated at 14/1, while Elena Dementieva has a best price of 16/1. Youngster Caroline Wozniacki is best priced at 24/1, ahead of Victoria Azarenka at 27/1, while last year`s French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetosova is at the same price. World No. 2 Dinara Safina is perhaps harshly rated at 34/1. Despite being World No. 1 for most of last year, Safina has never won a grand slam despite reaching three finals and looks to be good value here. Jelena Jankovic is at 39/1, and Ana Ivanovic is at 50/1.

Many people will be hoping for a comeback victory for Henin, to replicate the feat performed by Clijsters last year, but the women`s field is stronger than ever, and it will be very tough for whoever wins.

WTA Australian Open betting odds