2009 Women's Australian Open Odds

The seeds for the year's first Grand Slam, the 2009 Australian Open, were released on Thursday, with World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic topping the field, followed by reigning US Open champion Serena Williams, then Russians Dinara Safina and Elena Dementieva, 2008 Wimbledon champ Venus Williams and fifth seed, Ana Ivanovic.

Twenty-nine of the world's Top 32 players will be competing at the 2009 Australian Open with the only ones missing being former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova (right shoulder injury), grinder, Katarina Srebotnik (left Achilles injury) and fleet-footed diminutive dynamo, Li Na (right knee injury).

Here is a look at the 2009 Women’s Australian Open Odds in the BetUS Sportsbook, followed by my in-depth analysis and 2009 WTA Aussie Open predictions.

Serena Williams +250

Venus Williams +275

Jelena Jankovic +500

Dinara Safina +700

Ana Ivanovic +800

Elena Dementieva +1000

Caroline Wozniacki +1500

Vera Zvonareva +2000

Victoria Azarenka +2000

Svetlana Kuznetsova +2500

Agniezka Radwanska +3000

Anna Chakvetadze +4000

Nicole Vaidisova +5000

Amelie Mauresmo +5000

Nadia Petrova +5000

Alize Cornet +5000

Dominika Cibulkova +6500

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova +6500

Jie Zheng +8000

Patty Schnyder +10000

Na Li +10000

Shahar Peer +10000

Marion Bartoli +10000

Lucie Safarova +10000

Tatiana Golovin +10000

Flavia Pennetta +12500

Samantha Stosur +12500

Agnes Szavay +15000

Daniela Hantuchova +12500

Katarina Srebotnik +15000

Francesca Schiavone +15000

Others On Request

Analysis: Let me keep it real for a minute and say that all these rankings and numbers don’t really mean much on the women’s ATP Tour, particularly when it comes to Grand Slams.

Just think, while Jelena Jankovic finished the 2008 season ranked No. 1 in the world, she failed to win a Grand Slam while both Williams sisters took home Grand Slam titles despite being ranked outside the top 5 at the time of their respective wins.

In the end, the hungriest player – and one that makes the fewest mistakes, will win the 2009 Aussie Open, not the one with the most impressive ranking.

Semifinals: In quick order, the semis will consist of Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic, Dinara Safina and Elena Dementieva. Sorry to Venus and Ana Ivanovic, but I genuinely believe the 2009 Aussie Open winner will come from one of the aforementioned four players.

Finals: I’m going with Serena Williams here and my shocker, Elena Dementieva, a fine, all-surface, threat that can beat any player in the world on any given day.

2009 Australian Open Winner: If you don’t know BetUS tennis betting enthusiasts, Serena Williams has won the Australian Open in every odd numbered year since 2003, taking home the hardware in 03, 05, 07 and uh … 2009?

I know Williams is taking her tennis very seriously these days, on the advice of her boyfriend, best-selling rap artist, Common.

If and when Williams is serious about winning, no one, okay only big sis Venus, is capable of stopping her – and sis should be enjoying the warm Australian weather by the time the finals roll around.