Serena vs Dementieva in Sydney Final

Top ranked and Australian Open favorite Serena Williams will take on world #5 and defending champion Elena Dementieva in the finals of the Medibank International Sydney, the final tune-up for the year's first major. Serena and Dementieva will be contesting their 12th career meeting with Serena holding a 7-4 advantage against the Russian. The advantage is mostly due to their first four meetings all won by the American.

They've met six times in 2009 including what is touted as the best match of the year - the Wimbledon semifinal where Serena saved a match point before finally prevailing. They've alternated winning their past six matches. Their last meeting was a straight set victory by Serena in the round robin stage of the WTA Tour Championships last November.

MY FEARLESS PREDICTION: Both players would definitely want to win their first tournament of the year, but the edge will go to Serena who will win in two tough sets.