Oi Oi Oi Year of Ox: HCFoo's Australian Open predictions based on Chinese zodiac (Women's Singles)

In this second part, we'll take a look at the women players and see who has the luck to prevail at this year's Australian Open.

But before that, check out Andy Murray's tape job on his right knee. Perhaps you want to start believing in my prediction and why he is not my favourite to win at the Australian Open?

Image via downthelinetennis.com

Now click here for ththe women's singles draw. Who do you think is the favourite to win?

Let's start with Ana Ivanovic the runner-up last year.

Women's Single

Rabbit
Ana Ivanovic - November 6, 1987
The year of the Ox is well suited to the rabbit nature. The slower pace of this year will see you spending more time with friends and family. A good year to upgrade your home, or for buying or selling a house.
AO Prediction: Just like Nole and Murray, this could be a slower pace for Ana too compare to the last year or so. Perhaps she should consider getting another multi-million dollar villa? Although Ana is a runner up here last year and now back working together with her former coach Sven Groenefeld before she finds a replacement, I still don't think Ana is a favourite to win here.

Ox
Jelena Jankovic - February 28, 1985
This is not a year to be outrageous. A slow but steady year. This Ox year will bring stability and growth where patience and diligence pays off.
AO Prediction: Perhaps the Ox year offers stability for JJ in terms of $$$. She could have signed off a lucrative deal with ANTA. She will win lotsa tournaments this year but what about a Grand Slam? I think it will take more than hard work. She needs the extra edge and luck to win at this level of the game.

Rooster
Serena Williams - September 26, 1981
Elena Dementieva - October 15, 1981
Great opportunities for rooster this year. A good time to recoup losses. You will make great progress at work, reaping rewards of your labor. Emotional ties bring joy. Your prestige and reputation increase.
AO Prediction: Looks like we have a potential final match between the players. Elena has proved her presence for the past 2 weeks, in Auckland and Sydney. And Serena still proves she can still create magic on hardcourt at a high level tounament like this.

Monkey
Venus Williams - June 17, 1980
This is a year of moderate progress for monkeys. Work will slow down this year allowing the monkey more personal time. It also allows for quality time with friends and family.
AO Prediction: I don't think we'll see much progress from Venus just yet. Not until the Wimbledon, which seems to her favourite tournament.

Tiger
Dinara Safina - April 27, 1986
This is the year for keeping a low profile, tiger. Because of the slow pace of the Ox year, it will be a frustrating time for you. You like things to be move quicker, you will need to show restraint.
AO Prediction: Last year we've seen tremendous progress from Safina but this year, she has to slow down a bit. I don't think she dominates at the recent Hopman Cup and she failed to overcome Elena in Sydney. I guess she will not be ready for the Grand Slam yet. Perhaps in a year or 2 she will.

The year of Ox could see either
Elena or Serena in the final!

That's it for my prediction. AO will start tomorrow. So stay tune for more updates.

Click here if you haven't check out the men's singles predictions.

*'Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi', also spelt 'Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie, Oy Oy Oy', is a cheer or chant often performed at Australian sport events.

(Original prediction via earthyfamily.com)

Oi Oi Oi Year of Ox: HCFoo's Australian Open predictions based on Chinese zodiac (Men's Singles)

The Australian Open tournament (Jan 19 - Feb 1) coincidentally falls on Chinese New Year (Jan 26). That means by the time the men's and women's finals are played, we are already in the year of Ox.

I'm not trying to be a Feng Shui master here but from the research that I've done, I believe the following predictions could shed some light on who will be the AO winners in the next 2 weeks.

Will it be bookies' favourite Andy Murray? Or are we not listening to Roger Federer who believes the top AO favourites should be Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or the Mighty Fed himself?

Will Jelena Jankovic finally get her first Grand Slam? Or Dinara Safina's going to continue her family tradition by following her brother's footsteps? Or one half of the Williams sisters will prevail again in the Grand Slam?

Let's take a look at the possible winners' luck this year.

Men's Singles

Tiger
Rafael Nadal - June 3, 1986
This is the year for keeping a low profile, tiger. Because of the slow pace of the Ox year, it will be a frustrating time for you. You like things to be move quicker, you will need to show restraint.
AO Prediction: Currently Rafa is doing the right thing which is keeping a low profile and remain humble despite his achievement. Too bad because it seems like the hardcourt Grand Slam title is still out of reach. Perhaps this year's slower pace will suit his slow-paced clay court better.

Rooster
Roger Federer - August 8, 1981
Great opportunities for rooster this year. A good time to recoup losses. You will make great progress at work, reaping rewards of your labor. Emotional ties bring joy. Your prestige and reputation increase.
AO Prediction: Roger could be right about Murray! He could be winning his precious 14th Grand Slam right here in the AO to level with Pete's record! Watch out for a slammin' year by this guy!

Rabbit
Novak Djokovic - May 22, 1987
Andy Murray - May 15, 1987
The year of the Ox is well suited to the rabbit nature. The slower pace of this year will see you spending more time with friends and family. A good year to upgrade your home, or for buying or selling a house.
AO Prediction: Once ushering into the year of Ox, defending champion Nole and everyone's favourite Murray could have a slower pace and less stiff competitions like the previous year. Try again next year. In the meanwhile, Nole and Murray can spend more time with their brothers and motivate them to up their game instead.

Ox
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - April 17, 1985
This is not a year to be outrageous. A slow but steady year. This Ox year will bring stability and growth where patience and diligence pays off.
AO Prediction: Could have a chance here. But sometimes it takes more than hard work to win. You need to have that extra edge and luck to win at such high profile tournament. Perhaps he should take it slow with the backache or take a break to rejuvenate and come back to compete again at later part of the year.

Dog
Andy Roddick - August 30, 1982
A year for dogs to keep a low profile. Put more attention into matters at home, spending quality time with loved ones. The simple pleasures will bring happiness this year.
AO Prediction: Not much achievement in the year of Ox. Can forget about winning here. But hey there's a good news; wedding bells are on the way :D !

So, the year of Ox is on Roger's side!

Well, I won't be spending time mentioning every single player. AO is always full of surprises so anyone besides these guys has a chance to lift the prestigious Grand Slam title too. If you want to check how's your favourite players fair this year based on Chinese zodiac predictions, you can google and find out.

And here are the men's singles draw. Who do you think will meet in the final?

I'll come back with the part 2 of this post and we'll take a look at the favourite women players' luck in the year of Ox.

Updates: Click here for the women's singles predictions.

*'Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi', also spelt 'Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie, Oy Oy Oy', is a cheer or chant often performed at Australian sport events.

(Original prediction via earthyfamily.com)