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The 2012 Australian Open will see new superpower on the block Novak Djokovic aim to continue his golder run of 2011 while the big two of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will try to re-impose their domination.
Djokovic, who conquered the title in convincing fashion last year, is enjoying the form of his life with three Grand Slam titles in 2011 and the opening event of the 2012 tennis calendar will see him renew his rivalry with Nadal and Federer.
The defending champion, who captured his second Grand Slam last year - the previous one also coming at Melbourne in 2008 - had conquered the formidable Federer in the semi finals and which must have come as a huge morale booster for him.
But the Serb should be wary of Nadal and Federer, since they will be desperate to make a strong comeback after a rather damp show in 2011 and the first event of the new year will serve as a good platform to kick off their attempt at restoring their world domination.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray, the runner-up of the 2011 edition, will be eager for a repeat performance and may even try to go one better. David Ferer, who lost to the Englishman in the last four stage, will be more than eager to make a mark in 2012. The Spaniard is a promising player, but his achievements on the tennis court does not do full justice to his immense talent.
His best showing out of a total of nine appearances at the Australian Open is making the last four stage at last year's edition and with the kind of talent he has, tennis fans may safely expect him to improve on that effort sooner or later.
Former world number one Andy Rod**** will also be among the contenders and will be looking forward to capturing his maiden Australian Open title.
The men's doubles will be eagerly followed by Indian fans as the newly assembled pairs of Mahesh Bhupathi-Rohan Bopanna and Leander Paes- Radek Stepanek will be in action. Bopanna, who broke up with Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureishi for the 2012 season, has teamed up with Bhupathi in the run up to the London Olympics where they will compete as a team.
The duo of Paes and Bhupathi had reached the final last time round and it remains to be seen whether the estranged partners will be able replicate that success with their present team mates.
The American duo of Bob and Mike Bryan will be favorites in the men's doubles and will be the favourites to retain their crown. Their triumph in the 2011Australian Open was their 10th Grand Slam title and they would equal the all time record of 11 titles held by the legendary team of Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde if they win the 2012 edition as well.
Among the women, defending champion Kim Clijsters, runner-up Li Na, world number one Caroline Wozniacki, former champion Maria Sharapova and of course, the formidable Serena Williams will be among the title contenders.
In the doubles, Gisela Dulko of Argentina and Flavia Pennetta of Italy are the defending champions. The veteran duo were the top seeds last year and will be among the top contenders this year as well.
Last year's runners-up Maria Kirilenko of Russia and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus had a brilliant tournament in 2011, getting the better of second seeds Peschke and Srebotnik in a convincing 6-2, 6-4 semifinal win before going down fighting 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 in a bitterly fought final against the eventual champions. They will be hoping for a similar vein of form in this year's edition as well.
Indian hopes in the women's section will, as always, rest on perennial outsider Sania Mirza. The Hyderabad girl has never enjoyed a great run in the singles event at any Grand Slam so far, and may find it difficult to force any drastic change in the script this time as well, specially since she is making a comeback from knee surgery.
However, coming up against some of the best players in the world will give Sania some valuable practice before she spearheads the Indian team at the Fed Cup in February. She has a better chance in the doubles and mixed doubles however, and may do well in the latter category.
Djokovic, who conquered the title in convincing fashion last year, is enjoying the form of his life with three Grand Slam titles in 2011 and the opening event of the 2012 tennis calendar will see him renew his rivalry with Nadal and Federer.
The defending champion, who captured his second Grand Slam last year - the previous one also coming at Melbourne in 2008 - had conquered the formidable Federer in the semi finals and which must have come as a huge morale booster for him.
But the Serb should be wary of Nadal and Federer, since they will be desperate to make a strong comeback after a rather damp show in 2011 and the first event of the new year will serve as a good platform to kick off their attempt at restoring their world domination.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray, the runner-up of the 2011 edition, will be eager for a repeat performance and may even try to go one better. David Ferer, who lost to the Englishman in the last four stage, will be more than eager to make a mark in 2012. The Spaniard is a promising player, but his achievements on the tennis court does not do full justice to his immense talent.
His best showing out of a total of nine appearances at the Australian Open is making the last four stage at last year's edition and with the kind of talent he has, tennis fans may safely expect him to improve on that effort sooner or later.
Former world number one Andy Rod**** will also be among the contenders and will be looking forward to capturing his maiden Australian Open title.
The men's doubles will be eagerly followed by Indian fans as the newly assembled pairs of Mahesh Bhupathi-Rohan Bopanna and Leander Paes- Radek Stepanek will be in action. Bopanna, who broke up with Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureishi for the 2012 season, has teamed up with Bhupathi in the run up to the London Olympics where they will compete as a team.
The duo of Paes and Bhupathi had reached the final last time round and it remains to be seen whether the estranged partners will be able replicate that success with their present team mates.
The American duo of Bob and Mike Bryan will be favorites in the men's doubles and will be the favourites to retain their crown. Their triumph in the 2011Australian Open was their 10th Grand Slam title and they would equal the all time record of 11 titles held by the legendary team of Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde if they win the 2012 edition as well.
Among the women, defending champion Kim Clijsters, runner-up Li Na, world number one Caroline Wozniacki, former champion Maria Sharapova and of course, the formidable Serena Williams will be among the title contenders.
In the doubles, Gisela Dulko of Argentina and Flavia Pennetta of Italy are the defending champions. The veteran duo were the top seeds last year and will be among the top contenders this year as well.
Last year's runners-up Maria Kirilenko of Russia and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus had a brilliant tournament in 2011, getting the better of second seeds Peschke and Srebotnik in a convincing 6-2, 6-4 semifinal win before going down fighting 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 in a bitterly fought final against the eventual champions. They will be hoping for a similar vein of form in this year's edition as well.
Indian hopes in the women's section will, as always, rest on perennial outsider Sania Mirza. The Hyderabad girl has never enjoyed a great run in the singles event at any Grand Slam so far, and may find it difficult to force any drastic change in the script this time as well, specially since she is making a comeback from knee surgery.
However, coming up against some of the best players in the world will give Sania some valuable practice before she spearheads the Indian team at the Fed Cup in February. She has a better chance in the doubles and mixed doubles however, and may do well in the latter category.
