Soderling loses - Haas or Tsonga may benefit in the later rounds.

Robin Soderling, who was not 100% heading into the Australian Open due to elbow problems, was eliminated earlier today by Spain's Marcel Granollers.  That loss may open up the draw in the later rounds for either Tommy Haas or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, two players that advanced.

Soderling was the 8 seed at the Australian Open and his elimination thins the talent in Novak Djokovic's quarter of the draw.

Here are the odds in the futures market for the threats in Djokovic's quarter, all to win this year's Australian Open:

1.  Novak Djokovic, +700 (7/1), Sportingbet
2.  Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, +3300 (33/1), Sportingbet
3.  Tommy Haas, +20000 (200/1), Sportingbet
4.  Mikhail Youzhny, +25000 (250/1), Paddy Power

The elbow problems with Soderling are re-occuring as they forced him to miss action during part of 2009 in a tournament in Sweden.  Prior to the elbow problem, Soderling was considered a dark horse at the Australian Open due to his impressive rise in the standings over the past year.

Djokovic is still our top recommendation for the 2010 Australian Open.

Go to Sportingbet to bet on Australian Open tennis futures.