Ticket sales indicate robust crowds will be gathering in Melbourne on January 19th.  With one week to go, the Women’s Draw at the Australian Open 2009 is shaping up.   Maria Sharapova’s unfortunate withdrawal from the event leaves the year’s first Grand Slam without a defending champion.  The challengers are ready and most are pleased with their training while others appear to have some work to do.

The World’s Number One Player, Serbian Jelena Jankovic, was forced to withdraw from the Hong Kong Open and cited an ongoing illness as a troubling factor.  Jankovic has not been pleased with her training and after falling to Wimbledon Champion Venus Williams, 6-2, 6-2, expressed concern with her pre-Australian Open conditioning.  Jankovic is the third choice of bookmakers and is listed at 6/1.

The bookmaker’s fourth choice is Serbian Ana Ivanovic, who is again training with Australian Scott Byrnes.  The team excelled at last year’s Australian Open by reaching the finals.  The gorgeous Ivanovic has legions of fans awaiting her arrival in Melbourne.  With another year’s experience and with a Grand Slam championship at the French Open on her resume, the Sport Magazine cover girl seems poised for good things.

Despite a surprising 6-3, 6-2 defeat at the hands of former Australian Champion, Amelie Mauresmo late last week, Ana looks ready to go in Melbourne.  Ivanovic was not at her best and Mauresmo capitalized on every error.  Ana looked tentative and lacked her usually aggressive ground strokes, but vowed to be ready on January 19th.  At 7/1, Ivanovic may not be the favorite, but her fans will be among the most passionate.

Ivanovic has learned from her topsy-turvy 2008 season, which saw her rise to number 1 only to fall back to number 5.  Ana is poised to establish herself as a more consistent performer in 2009.  The Serb’s powerful groundstrokes are well suited for the pace in Melbourne and her success last year has her supporters expecting the best.

Serena Williams looks to be on her imposing, hard-hitting game.  Installed as the 5/2 favorite by the bookmakers, the American has been playing well and seems re-committed to tennis excellence.  Like her sister, Venus at 7/2, Serena is a big-game player.  The younger Williams has put some of the distractions of her personal life aside in preparation for the 2009 tour season.

The world’s number 2 player, who swept through the field in the 2008 U.S. Open to close out a brilliant season appears to be in competitive shape and anxious to get out of the blocks in 2009.  Her busy schedule has not interfered with her training and with Jankovic’s conditioning problems, Serena looms above the field.

Critics have questioned Venus Williams about her dedication and the possibility of retirement.  The elder Williams sister has assured her fans she has plenty of game and a lot of desire to make 2009 her best season yet.  The bookmakers like Venus too, installing her as the third favorite at Melbourne.

With a 12% increase in the Champions share, the Grand Slam competition will be fierce and the tournament organizers expect to surpass last year’s record attendance.  All the major tennis networks are on the scene and fans will be able to view more live matches than ever before.