Serena the favourite as Azarenka targets Melbourne Park hat-trick

Victoria Azarenka is aiming for a hat-trick of Australian Open titles but Serena Williams' form makes the American the one to beat. Williams, who exited in the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park in 2013, finished last year with a 78-4 win-loss record and 11 titles. The powerful world number one, a five-time Australian Open champion, will be hard to stop on what are predicted to be quick courts at the opening grand slam of the year. Williams' last loss came against Azarenka in the Cincinnati final in August last year, one of two defeats she suffered to the Belarusian in 2013. Williams started the New Year in style, claiming the Brisbane International title – which came after wins over Russian Maria Sharapova and Azarenka. She faces Australian teenager Ashleigh Barty in the first round and will be pleased to have Italian Sara Errani as the highest seed (seventh) in her quarter. On the opposite side of the draw, Azarenka faces Swede Johanna Larsson in the opening round but could meet Pole fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the quarter-finals. Sharapova appears to be finding some form but a tricky first-round encounter against in-form American Bethanie Mattek-Sands awaits. The four-time grand slam champion has avoided Williams' half of the draw, something she will be delighted with given their head-to-head record. Williams has beaten Sharapova in their past 14 meetings, with Sharapova's last victory over the 33-year-old coming in 2004. China's Li Na, last year's runner-up, has drawn a qualifier in the first round, while Radwanska faces Kazakh Yulia Putintseva. Left-handers Petra Kvitova and Angelique Kerber will be hoping to reach the second week, as will Serbian Jelena Jankovic. Dane Caroline Wozniacki has been consistent at Melbourne Park, having reached at least the fourth round in the past four years. Local hope Samantha Stosur has never progressed beyond the fourth round in the singles at her home slam and faces a tough first-round encounter against Czech Klara Zakopalova. Zakopalova breezed past Stosur in the Hobart International semi-finals on Friday, with the winner of their clash likely to meet Bulgarian Sydney International champion Tsvetana Pironkova. They are in the same quarter as Williams, who is a hot favourite to win her first Australian Open title since 2010.