Sport
Australian Open 2013: Serena Williams is the one to beat
The 15-time Grand Slam winner sits behind defending champion Azarenka and Maria Sharapova in the current world rankings, but when it comes to the opening major of the season, she is peerless in the modern game.
She won in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010, and another Australian tournament victory would return her to world number one.
Azarenka, who withdrew from her Brisbane semi-final against Williams after failing to recover from a big toe infection, is happy for the American to be favorite, saying it takes the pressure off.
“Yeah, I think so,” she said when asked if Williams was her main obstacle, but she also said there were plenty of others looking to dethrone her.
“You know, everybody tries to beat the top players. Every time I go on the court, you feel the same way. Everybody wants to take your position, be the number one player in the world.”
Copyright 2013 AFP
