AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013: Capsules on top women

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (AP) - Women to watch at the Australian Open, which begins Monday:

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VICTORIA AZARENKA

Seeded: 1

Age: 23

Country: Belarus

2012 Match Record: 69-10

2012 Singles Titles: 6

Career Singles Titles: 14

Major Titles: 1 _ Australian Open (‘12)

Last 5 Australian Opens: `12-Won Championship, `11-Lost in 4th Round, `10-Quarterfinals, `09-4th, `08-3rd

Topspin: Won her first major title in January at the Australian Open, with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-0 defeat of Maria Sharapova in her first trip to a major final. … Her 26-match winning streak was the longest at the start of a season since 1997. … She was beaten in the fourth round at the French Open and then lost to Serena Williams in the semifinals at Wimbledon and the final at the U.S. Open. … Says she’s focused on defending her Australian title rather than being the woman who can end Serena Williams‘ recent dominating run. … “I try to look at what can I do to win those titles, not to see who I can stop from winning those titles.” … Has lost 11 of 12 matches against Williams, and withdrew from their semifinal at the Brisbane International last week after having part of the nail on her right big toe removed.

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MARIA SHARAPOVA

Seeded: 2

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