Britain's Andy Murray faced down his Grand Slam nemesis Roger Federer in an electrifying five-set thriller to reach the Australian Open final on Friday night.
Leading contenders for women's title: Victoria Azarenka (BLR), Maria Sharapova (RUS), Serena Williams (USA), Agnieszka Radwanska (POL), Li Na (CHN).
Tennis royalty is Down Under to try to capture the first major crown of the year, but two players should rise above all others in the opening test of 2013, which starts on Monday. 
Leading contenders for women's title
Australian youngster Bernard Tomic will emulate Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer if he can win his first ATP Tour title after reaching the Sydney International final on Friday.
World number one Novak Djokovic will kick off the defence of his Australian Open title with a first round tie against unseeded Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu after the draw was made for the first grand slam of the season on Friday.
Agnieszka Radwanska needed eight match points to finish off Li Na on Thursday but confirmed her fine pre-Australian Open form by maintaining her perfect start to the year and reaching the final of the Sydney Intl.
World's top tennis players brave the sweltering heat practising and training at the Melbourne Park for the upcoming Australian Open, meanwhile they get some special treats from the vast Australian continent - koala, kangaroo, and wild animals.
Top seed John Isner was knocked out of the Sydney International by compatriot Ryan Harrison on Wednesday but at least he got out on court on a day when injury withdrawals continued to ravage Australian Open warm-up tournaments.
Li Na has come closer than any Asian to winning the Australian Open singles crown and, if she can avoid a Melbourne Park meltdown, may add another to her lengthy list of tennis "firsts" next week.
Serena Williams of the US skips rope during a practice session at Melbourne Park January 9, 2013, ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament which begins on Monday.
Former world number two Svetlana Kuznetsova defied sweltering heat to beat seventh seed Caroline Wozniacki in the second round of the Sydney Intl.
An emotional Andy Murray fought back tears and dedicated his victory to "a sick friend" after defeating Grigor Dimitrov in a gripping Brisbane International final on Sunday.
Top seed Li Na survived a mid-match meltdown to overcome Czech Klara Zakopalova 6-3 1-6 7-5 in the final of the inaugural Shenzhen Open on Saturday, earning the Chinese a seventh career title.
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