Players to watch

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published January 15, 2006

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WOMEN

THE FAVORITE

Kim Clijsters

SEED: 2

BEST FINISH: Runnerup (2004)

OUTLOOK: Clijsters, who claimed her first major at the U.S. Open, arguably is the player to beat. But a recent hip injury is a serious concern.

THE CONTENDERS

Lindsay Davenport

SEED: 1

BEST FINISH: Winner (2000)

OUTLOOK: Davenport is a threat to win any hardcourt tournament, but she hasn't taken a major in six years and faces a difficult draw.

Justine Henin-Hardenne

SEED: 8

BEST FINISH: Winner (2004)

OUTLOOK: Has the skills to pull it off, but landed in a difficult draw that includes Davenport and Venus Williams.

Serena Williams

SEED: 13

BEST FINISH: Winner (2003, '05)

OUTLOOK: Can she win her eighth major? Of course she can. But will she show up? That's the question.

THE SLEEPER

Ana Ivanovic

SEED: 21

BEST FINISH: 3rd round (2005)

OUTLOOK: Primed for a big season, the 6-foot 18-year-old Serbian has the game to succeed in Melbourne.

THE FAVORITE

Roger Federer

SEED: 1

BEST FINISH: Winner (2004)

OUTLOOK: Already the man to beat, his odds went up when No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal and defending champion Marat Safin withdrew with injuries.

THE CONTENDERS

Andy Roddick

SEED: 2

BEST FINISH: Semifinalist (2003, '05)

OUTLOOK: People act as if Roddick struggled last year because he didn't win a major. But the fact is, he claimed five events.

Lleyton Hewitt

SEED: 3

BEST FINISH: Runnerup (2005)

OUTLOOK: The feisty Aussie landed in Federer's half of the draw, which certainly will make things tough. He's 7-11 against Federer and has lost the past nine.

James Blake

SEED: 20

BEST FINISH: 4th round (2003, '04)

OUTLOOK: Blake's run last year was not a fluke. His draw is manageable and a trip to the quarters or beyond is possible.

THE SLEEPER

Gael Monfils

SEED: 22

BEST FINISH: 2nd round (2005)

OUTLOOK: Is the 19-year-old Parisian ready to make a major surge? He has reached the final in three of his past four events.