2008 Australian Open

By Scott Burgess
First Serve: Mon, Jan 14, 2008

The 2008 Australian Open gets under way this week, at Melbourne Park, where last year's champ, Roger Federer, will be looking for his 3rd straight Championship Title.

Once again Roger Federer is the favorite to win another Gram Slam Title. This time he's bringing in a little controversy with a serious lack of play time. He pulled out of the AMII Classic and he has not played since he won the Masters Cup, back in November. He played Pete Sampras in three exhibition matches, but that's nowhere near a Gram Slam. He has been practicing as says he's in tip top shape.

But with guys like Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Nikola Davydenko, i think it's anybodies game. David Nalbandian is another player who has done well here and has beaten Federer. James Blake will not be a factor because he has never passed the 4th round and home town favorite Lleyton Hewitt has never been a factor here, except for 2005, where he was Runner Up.

Bottom Line: Roger Federer won't have serious competition late until the 4th round of his draw. Rafa Nadal will meet up with Andy Roddick or Nikola Davydenko eventually. Expect Federer and any of the above mentioned.