Who's Coming for the Australian Open?

Tennis fans across the world will have their eyes on Australia with the upcoming 2011 Australian Open set to kick off an exciting new Grand Slam tournament this year. Last year, we saw US champion, Serena Williams, reclaim her Australian title while 4 time champion Roger Federer ousted Andy Murray in an exhaustive third set.


This year, the tournament looks wide open from the women's side with Serena Williams unlikely to play the tournament due to a foot injury she suffered at a night club when she won the Wimbledon tournament last year. And on the men's side, analysts are making some bold predictions as to who will take home the title this year.


Men's


Will it be Federer or Nadal at No 1 for 2011 - or someone else entirely? Federer is looking particularly strong after taking home the trophy at the Qatar ExxonMobil Tournament in Doha but the Serbian Novak Djokovic is looking to repeat his 2008 Australian Open win and looks well positioned to do so. And of course, Andy Murray hopes to make another Australian Open finals' appearance - but with a different outcome after losing to Federer last year.


One of the other players to keep an eye on, Juan Martin del Potro is coming back after a long absence from tournament play due to a persistent wrist injury, despite having been the No 4 seed early last year and winning the US Open in 2009. It'll be interesting to see how he performs in this Grand Slam tournament comeback.


Women's


In a move that analysts are predicting could cost her a top 10 ranking for the year, two time defending champion Serena Williams is out for the tournament having sustained a foot injury after Wimbledon celebrations in 2010. This means the field is wide open, with Danish player Caroline Wozniacki and Belgian Kim Clijsters being the favourites to take home the title. Other players we're all watching are current No 2 seed Vera Svonareva or even the other Willliams sister, Venus could likely step up to claim the trophy. Meanwhile, Brisbane-born Samantha Stosur is hoping she'll have the home court advantage and may give the Australians a chance at claiming their own Grand Slam title. The last time an Australian player won an Australian Open Singles' event was in 1978 when Chris O'Neill became the first female tennis play to win the tournament unseeded.


We're also keeping a close eye on the ladies doubles this year, with the power sister Venus and Serena William unable to reform their usual dynamic duo. Meanwhile, we saw the un-seeded pairing of Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova take back-to-back Grand Slam Doubles' victories at the Wimbledon and at the US Open tournaments.


Tickets are selling fast and fans are quickly booking out cheap accommodation in Melbourne. With the popularity of this event, you'll be hard pressed to find deals on last minute accommodation - so best book in as soon as you can.


The event kicks off on 17 January and finishing on 30 January with an expected thrilling Men's Final match.


As the final days are counted down before the official Draw is announced, what are your predictions for the 2011 Australian Open?




Look out for hotel deals that is quick and easy to book.