Australian Open Tennis / Paul Bugeja / 12 January 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

With the Australian Open just around the corner, Frank Duval nuts out a tempting tennis double.

As the first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open can be a bit hit and miss as a punting proposition.

However, for the first time in a long time, I have settled on two picks and am keen to wade into the market.

In the men's tournament, Del Potro looks the goods.

His epic win over Federer in the US may just sound the death knell on the Swiss star's reign at the top. Having got that crucial first slam out of the way, Del Potro's confidence should be sky high, and with Nadal also not the force he was, the tournament looks ripe for the Argentine's picking.

At $7.80 to back in the Betfair market, 'Get on!'

In the women's, I have been a long-term fan of Justine Henin and am confident she can do what Clijsters did before her and come back after a long absence to grab a slam...with the proviso that she shakes off her thigh injury in time for the tournament to start.

Like Del Potro, Clijsters was superb at the US, but the difference in the women's draw is that it has suddenly got much tougher with Henin back in town. Her form at the lead-up tournament in Brisbane (a few problems with her serve notwithstanding) has been great and she looks hungry for victory, with a great comeback to almost roll Clijster's in the Brisbane International. Such superb shots and an aggressive approach to the game means she deserves a second spell at the top of the women's game and I fancy she had the better of Clijsters when they were both dominant.

My approach: go hard on both for the win (if Henin makes the field) and take the 35/1 or so available on the double for a cricket score collect.