French Open 2012: Five Fewer Hurdles for the Top Four

Roland Garros has been always unpredictable. Seeds fall by the side and clay-court specialists use the opportunity to knock over more fancied opponents.

Your money will be safe if you have wagered on the top four seeds on the ATP Tour reaching the semifinals of the French Open.

After the completion of the first round on Tuesday, their path to the semis seems to have eased a bit—though it is just a bit.

Rafael Nadal was not given much of an advantage, though he doesn't need any. His competitors (especially Roger Federer) seem to have benefited from the probability of one less seed to face in the run up to the semis.

Let us see who has moved out of their path in the ongoing Grand Slam event.

30th Seed Jurgen Melzer

Austrian Jurgen Melzer was one of the early casualties in the French Open 2012. Melzer lost to German Michael Berrer in five sets in the first round.

A player who had figured in the top 10 in 2011, Melzer could not repeat his accomplishments in Roland Garros this time around (he reached the semifinals in 2010).

Melzer could have been a tough character for Djokovic in the latter part of the draw, but Novak must be feeling slightly better with Melzer's early exit.

26th Seed Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick has never done well in the French Open. His best performance has been the round of 16 in 2009.

It was no wonder that he fell to the local favorite, Nicolas Mahut, in four sets in the first round.

Roddick was in line to meet the Swiss Master, Roger Federer, in the third round. With Roddick's exit, Mahut is now the favorite to meet Fedex.

23rd Seed Radek Stepanek

Radek Stepanek appeared in the round of 16 in Roland Garros in 2008. Hence, it was surprising to see him disappear from the tournament as early as the first round.

He lost to David Goffin of Belgium in five sets after being 2-1 up on set-count.

Another thorn in the path of Fedex removed!

16th Seed Alexandr Dolgopolov

Ukranian Alexandr Dolgopolov has consistently reached the round of 32 in Roland Garros for the last two years.

This time around, he lost to his countryman Sergiy Stakhovsky in five sets.

Dolgopolov could have been a problem for either Ferrer or Murray in the latter rounds of this championship but not now.

15th Seed Feliciano Lopez

Despite being a Spaniard, the record of Feliciano Lopez on Roland Garros does not inspire his supporters.

Enjoying a No. 15 ranking in the French Open, Lopez retired midway through his match against local Florent Serra.

Lopez had met Federer in the first round last year and could have met him again this time as well.