Australian Open 2012 Predictions: Roger Federer and More Elite Failures

Roger Federer will continue his run without a Grand Slam at the Australian Open, but he won't be the only player to disappoint at the tournament.

These predictions highlight the elite players who are likely to drop short at the Australian Open.  Early exits, shock results and a surprise winner could be in the cards this year.

Check out the players who will disappoint at the first Grand Slam of 2012. 

6. Roger Federer

Roger Federer did not have a great 2011, although he did finish it in style.

Winning pretty much everything indoors, including the ATP Tour Finals in London, Federer looked to be back at the top of his game.  

A month ago, he was looking like a man who was going to storm his way back to a Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open.  Now, he looks a little more frail. 

An early withdrawal from Doha with a back spasm means preparation has not been great for Federer.  He will now start the Australian Open with a question mark over his fitness.  

With tennis at an incredibly competitive level, Federer will struggle badly in the second week, especially if he is not fully fit.

The Australian Open 2012 will see Federer fall short yet again, just as he did in 2011.

5. Mardy Fish

Mardy Fish had a real breakthrough year in 2011, despite his advancing years. 

After making the World Tour Finals, Fish will be expected to perform strongly at the Australian Open.

Unfortunately for Fish, there are not many who can see that happening. 

A place high among the seeds could grant Fish a simple passage into Week 2 in Australia, but he will struggle against another top opponent.

Fish was out of his depth at the ATP Tour Finals, and nothing will change when he comes up against a top-10 opponent at the Australian Open.

4. Andy Murray

Andy Murray has put in some of his best performances at previous Australian Open tournaments and has made the final on a couple of occasions.  

Each time, though, he has failed to win the tournament. 

Anything but a win will be deemed as a failure by Murray as he desperately searches for that first Grand Slam title. 

Even the recent appointment of Ivan Lendl as a coach has come too late for the Australian Open, and Murray will continue to struggle in the best-of-five format against the very best.

Maybe later in the year Murray will be in a much stronger position, but in terms of the Australian Open, Andy Murray will struggle to make it past the quarterfinals.

3. David Ferrer

David Ferrer is one of those players who always seems to be on the edge of something brilliant.  

Always a solid performer and very consistent, that will not be enough for Ferrer at the Australian Open.  

He's more than capable of beating anybody on a normal day, but on a Grand Slam day, when others raise their game, Ferrer is not strong enough.

A solid show in Week 1 will be spoiled by an ultimately disappointing exit early in Week 2, leaving Ferrer still searching for a Grand Slam final appearance.

2. Novak Djokovic

Even the biggest fans of Novak Djokovic will have been surprised by how fantastic 2011 was for the Serbian.  

And it all started with a win at the Australian Open.

Djokovic will go into the Australian Open in 2012 as World No. 1.

He carries on his shoulders the huge burden of expectation that has been created by his incredible form in 2011.  But Djokovic won't be able to repeat his 2011 victory.

We all saw Djokovic fade toward the end of 2011.  Both his form and his health were affected as a long season took its toll on the now four-time Grand Slam champion.  

Now after a long rest—slightly longer than he had hoped due to an early exit at the ATP Tour Finals—Djokovic returns to action at the Australian Open.  He will almost certainly have some rust in his game, and that will show in Week 2.

A semifinal place is almost certain, but for a World No. 1, not being in the final is a failure.

1. Andy Roddick

American Andy Roddick goes into the Australian Open in desperate need of a strong performance. 

He will however, fall short of that. 

Roddick has seen his career fall into decline slightly over the past 18 months, and there seems to be little he can do to prevent it.

No longer the player he once was, Roddick will fall much earlier than expected in Melbourne, especially as players no longer fear his big serve like they once did.

Don't expect to be seeing Roddick in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open.