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The sexiest female tennis players at the Australian Open

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

The Australian Open -- the first Grand Slam of the year, will begin in Melbourne on Monday, kicking off another busy and thrilling year of tennis.

The women's draw this year is as open as any with several players looking good to clinch the title in the two-week tournament. Defending champion Victoria Azarenka is looking to win back-to-back titles as top seed in the women's draw but will face a stiff challenge from former champions Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

Former World no. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic will also looking to get back to winning ways at the Australian Open.

The women's tournament will also be keenly watched for the glamour it adds to the sport, raising the mercury further and bringing in more spectators.

A look at the some of the sexiest female players who will compete at the year's first Grand Slam event.

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Victoria Azarenka

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Victoria Azarenka

Country: Belarus

Seeding: 1

Grand Slams: 1

Maria Sharapova

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Maria Sharapova

Country: Russia

Seeding: 2

Grand Slams: 4

Caroline Wozniacki

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Caroline Wozniacki

Country: Denmark

Seeding: 10

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Ana Ivanovic

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Ana Ivanovic

Country: Serbia

Seeding: 13

Grand Slams: 1

Julia Goerges

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Julia Goerges

Country: Germany

Seeding: 18

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Serena Williams

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Serena Williams

Country: USA

Seeding: 3

Grand Slams: 15

Agnieszka Radwanska

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Agnieszka Radwanska

Country: Poland

Seeding: 4

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Li Na

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Li Na

Country: China

Seeding: 6

Grand Slams: 1

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Country: Russia

Seeding: 24

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Tamira Paszek

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Tamira Paszek

Country: Austria

Seeding: 30

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Dominika Cibulkova

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Dominika Cibulkova

Country: Slovakia

Seeding: 15

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Sabine Lisicki

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Sabine Lisicki

Country: Germany

Seeding: unseeded

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Sorana Cirstea

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Sorana Cirstea

Country: Romania

Seeding: 27

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Angelique Kerber

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Angelique Kerber

Country: Germany

Seeding: 5

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Petra Kvitova

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Petra Kvitova

Country: Czech Republic

Seeding: 8

Grand Slams: 1

Maria Kirilenko

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Maria Kirilenko

Country: Russia

Seeding: 14

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Sara Errani

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Sara Errani

Country: Italy

Seeding: 7

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Laura Robson

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Laura Robson

Country: Great Britain

Seeding: unseeded

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Yaroslava Shvedova

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Yaroslava Shvedova

Country: Kazakhstan

Seeding: 28

Grand Slams: (yet to win)

Klara Zakopalova

Last updated on: January 14, 2013 12:51 IST

Klara Zakopalova

Country: Czech Republic

Seeding: 23

Grand Slams: (yet to win)