Australian Open: Who’ll get Roger’d this year?

 

Roar Pro

By Rory O\'Donovan, 14 Jan 2008 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

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We all know the Australian Open men’s singles is Federer’s for the taking, but let’s not allow that to stop us from looking forward to some great matches. Here’s a look at some of the main chances and those they might face on the way through.

The sneaking suspicion that Rafael Nadal is carrying injuries has led some to underplay his chances. The hiding he took in the final at Chennai last week hasn’t helped. His aggressive, physical style certainly requires a fully-fit body to carry it off. Nadal says he is fit and ready. He is a grand slam player so watch him rip. He could have some tough early matches but first real challenge should come in the round of sixteen from compatriot and friend Carlos Moya, who wore him out in the semi at Chennai. The elegant and evergreen Moya always rises to an occasion. In a quarter final he could face Andy Roddick, who’s main opposition before this is expected to come from Tommy Robredo in the fourth round.

Novak Djokovic heads up the toughest quarter of the draw. In the fourth round he will play the last man standing out of a small group that contains Marcos Baghdatis, Thomas Johanssen, Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt. Then in a quarter final he would probably face either the Federer-conquering David Nalbandian or number five seed David Ferrer. In a semi he’d face Federer. Tough draw.

Andy Murray is just about due for his inevitable grand slam breakthrough. Splitting from coach Brad Gilbert hasn’t done him any harm. He faces a third round against Juan Ignatio Chela and a fourth against the classy Richard Gasquet. His quarter final opponent should be the trying-to-keep-it-low-key Nikolay Davidenko, whose main hurdles appear Youzhny and the handy Wawrinka. In the semi final he may well play Nadal in a repeat of last year’s great match.

Anyone hoping for a second-week performance from Chris Guccione might be disappointed, unless, of course, he invokes the underdog spirit of 1975 champion Mark Edmondson, or his mate John Marks who made the final in 1978. Unlikely.

Meanwhile, Roger Federer appears to face no threat until the quarters, where he may meet his opponent in last years final, Fernando Gonzales. Then Djokovic in the semi. Then we will see what happens.

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