The Australian Open gets under way on Monday and both the men's and women's world number ones, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams, return as defending champions.
Djokovic outlasted Andy Murray in last year's final for his fifth title at Melbourne Park, while Williams saw off Maria Sharapova as she collected her sixth crown.
We look back at the pair's maiden Australian Open trophies in 2003 (Williams) and 2008 (Djokovic).
SERENA WILLIAMS:
First round: def. Emilie Loit 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-5
"I think it was a little bit of the nerves. I had never lost in the first round of a grand slam," said Williams, who came to Melbourne Park seeking a fourth successive grand slam, after she lost the first set, survived a second-set tie-break and committed 55 unforced errors against the world number 56.
Second round: def. Els Callens 6-4 6-0
Callens teamed up with Chanda Rubin to eliminate doubles pairing Serena and Venus Williams at the 2001 US Open, and the Belgian threatened to oust the American yet again as she rallied from 4-0 down to level the first set, but that was as good as it got for the underdog.
Third round: def. Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-1 6-1
Williams made light work of Tanasugarn, two years after ousting the Thai at the same stage of the tournament.
Fourth round: def. Eleni Daniilidou 6-4 6-1
Serena was aided by Daniilidou's eight double faults but still far from her best, tallying 21 errors in the first set and six in the second.
Quarter-final: def. Meghann Shaughnessy 6-2 6-2
Shaughnessy came into the quarter-finals on an 11-match winning streak, but rarely looked like extending her run of victories as Williams eased into the last four.
Semi-final: def. Kim Clijsters 4-6 6-3 7-5
Williams saved two match points to prevail against the fourth seed in an Australian Open classic. Down 5-1 in the third and final set, Williams seemed destined for defeat until she won six games in a row.
Final: def. Venus Williams 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-4
She then completed the 'Serena Slam', overcoming her older sister to hold all four grand slams simultaneously. The landmark win was sealed as Venus sent a forehand long.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC:
First round: def. Benjamin Becker 6-0 6-2 7-6 (7-5)
After losing to Roger Federer in the fourth round as the 14th seed 12 months earlier, Djokovic set about ushering in a new era in comprehensive fashion. He converted six break-point opportunities and rarely looked troubled against Becker.
Second round: def. Simone Bolelli 6-1 6-2 6-2
His next match was even more straightforward, Djokovic requiring just one hour and 31 minutes to dispose of Bolelli in their first main-draw meeting.
Third round: def. Sam Querrey 6-3 6-1 6-3
It was more of the same against American Querrey as he closed out the match in 94 minutes. While Djokovic was typically strong on his first serve, his second serve was the difference, boasting an 81 per cent win rate.
Fourth round: def. Lleyton Hewitt 7-5 6-3 6-3
Australian favourite Hewitt overcame Marcos Baghdatis in a near-five-hour marathon that finished at 4:33am local time just days earlier. And Djokovic took full advantage, running away with their match after a tight first set as he advanced to his maiden quarter-final, silencing the locals.
Quarter-final: def. David Ferrer 6-0 6-3 7-5
Djokovic did not have it all his own way despite the scoreline, presenting Ferrer with nine break-point opportunities but fending off eight. He closed out the match with a trademark two-handed backhand winner down the line.
Semi-final: def. Roger Federer 7-5 6-3 7-6 (7-5)
Djokovic announced himself on the international stage as he gained revenge against the Swiss maestro and defending champion in straight sets. Federer had only dropped two sets en route to the last four but was no match for Djokovic. "I am just very amazed I coped with the pressure today," said the Serbian.
Final: def. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7-2)
Unseeded Frenchman Tsonga won the support of many but Djokovic secured what counted as he ended a run of 11 consecutive majors claimed by Federer and Rafael Nadal, despite dropping his only set at the event in a decider lasting three hours and six minutes.
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