DOB: 26.09.1981 Nationality: American World Ranking: 1 Australian Open record:  2002 :: n/a 2001 :: quarter-final 2000 :: fourth round 1999 :: third round 1998 :: second round

The Australian Open is Serena's chance to make history - by becoming only the third woman since the beginning of the Open era to hold all four Grand Slams at once.

And it is difficult to see anyone stopping the 21-year old from capturing what she has dubbed a "Serena Slam".

The world number one ended 2002 having lost only five matches on her way to winning eight titles, including three Grand Slam final victories over her older sister Venus.

The fast courts of Melbourne Park should cause Serena few problems, but strangely she has a patchy record - only reaching the last eight on one occasion two years ago.