Wozniacki hopes to overcome injury ahead of Australian Open

Currently ranked world number one, Caroline Wozniacki is desperate to overcome the wrist injury she sustained while preparing for the Australian Open.

The 21-year-old Dane complained of severe pain, particularly during the third set, following her Sydney International semi-final defeat to Agnieszka Radwanska.

An MRI scan showed joint inflammation, but not structural damage, meaning that the 14/1 shot in the Australian Open odds should be able to avoid going the same route as Venus Williams and Andrea Petkovic, who were forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injury.

Venus’ sister Serena was also struggling after jarring her left ankle in Brisbane recently, but the 3/1 second-favourite for the Open has trained well since, and fears that she may be forced to withdraw appear to have been allayed.

This is also the case with defending champion Kim Clijsters.

8/1 Clijsters has been plagued by a left hip problem, which forced her exit from the semi-finals stage in Brisbane last week, but she too has since managed to complete a solid training session on the Melbourne Park court, and should be ready to kick off her title defence when the tournament gets underway next week.

Tournament favourite Petra Kvitova has had no such injury troubles however, and goes into the Melbourne competition brimming with confidence after achieving her first Grand Slam title with a Wimbledon win in 2011, aged just 21.

Czech starlet Kvitova, who reached the quarter-finals stage in this tournament last year, is 5/2 to justify her favourite tag and claim the 2012 crown.

Amongst the other main contenders, Victoria Azarenka could represent an interesting proposition for punters.

Priced at 6/1 for the tournament win, the Belarusian is a former quarter-finalist in the Australian Open, and was impressive in reaching the same stage in last year’s French Open, along with the 2011 Wimbledon semi-final.