The Australian Open will once again open the Grand Slam tennis season. And the 2010 pro tennis calendar promises to be wide open affair.

Last year, Roger Federer was denied history in Melbourne by Rafael Nadal, who beat the Swiss in five thrilling sets. Fernando Verdasco and newcomer Juan Martin Del Potro also made their mark in the Australian heat. Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and former champion Novak Djokovic will also be in the hunt.

Serena Williams was crowned champion for a fourth time following a straight set win over Dinara Safina. Serena has won in Melbourne in odds years only, perhaps in 2010 she will finally break the streak.

This year, however, Justin Henin returns as does Kim Clisjters and Maria Sharapova making the field that much deeper and tougher.

No surprise, with such a strong field and great storylines, cheap and discounted tickets for the Australian Open are tough to come by.