Australian Open 2013

It's that time of year again, when tennis fans squeeze themselves into the annual Melbourne Park furnace for two weeks of Australian Open action. All the big names will be there again in 2013, so who’s taking our fancy as the best of the grand slam chances?

MEN

BEST OF THE BEST: Novak Djokovic
It was only a couple of years ago that we doubted whether anyone would ever beat Djokovic. The Serb triumphed over Rafael Nadal in the most epic Australian Open final in history in 2012 and is every chance of going back-to-back.

OLD WARRIOR: Roger Federer
Finally regaining his world No.1 ranking midway through the year, Federer failed to make it to the semi-finals just twice in 17 tournaments this season and is our pick for Australian Open glory.

AUSSIE HOPE: Bernard Tomic
A year that started so promisingly will sadly be remembered for all the wrong reasons for Bernie. A growing list of off-court issues has Tomic on the slide, but he's still far and away our best chance.

ONE TO WATCH: Jerzy Janowicz
This time last year the exciting Pole was cutting his teeth on the second-tier Challenger circuit. Twelve months later Janowicz has ridden a wave of form into the world's top 25, including a giant-killing march to the final of the Paris Masters.

WOMEN

CLASS VETERAN: Serena Williams
Just when you think she’s finally hit the wall, Williams bounces back with a year like this one, in which she won two grand slams and Olympic gold. She has to be considered the favourite.

SCREAMING STAR: Victoria Azarenka
The Belarussian clearly loves Australia, having won both in Sydney and at the Australian Open in early 2012, and it's hard to go past the world No.1.

AUSSIE HOPE: Sam Stosur
A first-round exit at the Australian Open headlined Stosur’s disappointing year - but three semi-final appearances late in the year will have done plenty for her confidence.

ONE TO WATCH: Angelique Kerber
You wouldn't have heard of Kerber at last year's Open, where Maria Sharapova belted her in the third round, but tournament wins in Paris and Copenhagen have vaulted the German lefty into the world's top five.