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British tennis great Virginia Wade simply can't see past
Serena Williams winning the Australian Open title for a sixth time this year.
Williams, winner of the crown in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and
2010, goes in as the odds-on favourite with most bookmakers.
And Wade, who won the title herself in Melbourne back in 1972, agrees with that
verdict.
"I can't see her losing," she told sportinglife.com.
"How tough is it for Victoria Azarenka to beat her? She
can play really well against her but to win the last point is very tough.
"Azarenka played well enough to win at the US Open.
Serena was as nervous as a kitten, yet she came through."
Wade, who will be acting as a pundit on British Eurosport's
coverage of this year's tournament, feels Williams has improved mentally over
the past couple of years - seasons which have seen her win 136 of her 144
matches.
"Serena has just got a tremendous amount of depth in
her game at the moment," Wade added. "She's got over the walkabouts
she had when she wasn't really as motivated."
Wade, also a former Wimbledon and US Open champion, sees it
as a two-horse race for the title with Maria Sharapova, third favourite with
the bookies, coming into the event having only played one tournament since
August due to injury.
"It's hard to know what shape she'll be in," added
Wade, who when pressed for other possible contenders mentioned rising Romanian
star Simona Halep, who won six WTA titles last season.
"The young kid, Halep, is doing so well. But it will be
tough for her to keep it going.
"Petra Kvitova has started to play a little bit better.
If only she could control her game a little bit. Sadly Angelique Kerber is not
continuing to make the same strides.
"There are a number of good players out there - Sloane
Stephens is another - but I'm definitely making them (Williams and Azarenka) my
two favourites."
British Eurosport HD will broadcast over 300 hours of LIVE
coverage from the Australian Open between January 13 and 26.
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