Azarenka and Williams tipped to star in Melbourne

Now recovered from injury, two-time champion Victoria Azarenka is hungry to reclaim her place among the tennis elite. Serena Williams is also an early favourite for the title
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RECENT AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINALS

Despite being unseeded due to missing much of last season, Azarenka (right) could well prove a strong threat on arguably her favourite surface

2014 Li Na* CHN Dominika Cibulkova SVK 7-6, 6-0

2013 Victoria Azarenka BLR Li Na CHN 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

2012 Victoria Azarenka BLR Maria Sharapova RUS 6-3, 6-0

2011 Kim Clijsters BEL Li Na CHN 3-6, 6-3, 6-3

2010 Serena Williams USA Justine Henin BEL 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
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Five-time champion Williams (left) endured a turbulent 2014 – but her U.S. Open victory took her overall tally of Grand Slam titles to 18

WILLIAMS IN 2014

Australian Open Rd 4: Lost to A Ivanovic

Roland Garros Rd 2: Lost to G Muguruza

Wimbledon Rd 3: Lost to A Cornet

U.S. Open Won: Beat C Wozniacki
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*Retired 2014

Source: WTA

Pictures: Getty Images

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