Australian Open: Breaking Down the Men's Seeds

With the release of the seeds for the main draw at the Australian Open, let's take a look at who is seeded where and what their chances might be:

1. Rafael Nadal, Spain

Definitely a worthy No. 1. Question: can he complete the Grand Slam? Along with Roger, an odds-on favorite to win the tournament.

2. Roger Federer, Switzerland

As with Rafa, can he win the Grand Slam this year? This is my pick to win the Australian Open this year.

3. Novak Djokovic, Serbia

Djoker has proven that he's one of the big three, but he doesn't seem to be able to handle the really big pressure moments, at least in the Slams. I, for one, love the guy and would love to see him break through. He's definitely got a chance, but does he have the mental fortitude? I think not.

4. Robin Soderling, Sweden

Really has come on the scene in the past couple of years. He's been in a couple of Slam finals, but hasn't been able to break through. Is this his tournament to do so? I don't see it here.

5. Andy Murray, Great Britain

Will Murray ever be able to break through and win a Slam? Not here, Andy. You will definitely get to the second week, but as mental things go, see Djoker.

6. Tomas Berdych, Czech Republic

Expect him to be around until the second week, but not any further.

7. David Ferrer, Spain

Definitely more of a clay specialist. Has only made it to the quarterfinals once at the Australian Open. Will be lucky to make the second week.

8. Andy Roddick, United States

You can never count Andy out. He's won a Slam before and he's been banging on the door of winning Wimbledon. As long as he's hanging around, he's got a chance. Question is whether he can get through the big three and make it to the finals. Definitely.

9. Fernando Verdasco, Spain

Has had limited success on hard courts, getting to the semis of the Australian Open once. Other than that has been largely silent. Don't expect this Spaniard to make a deep run, although he is dangerous if he gets on a hot streak.

10. Mikhail Youzhny, Russia

Doesn't seem to start the year out quickly. Expect much of the same this year. Can be good on hard courts, as witnessed by his two semifinal runs in the US Open. Expect another early-round exit.

11. Jurgen Melzer, Austria

Never past the third round. Expectations not high.

12. Gael Monfils, France

One of my favorite players to watch. One of the most painful players to watch. Hard to believe that he doesn't break his ankles sliding on the hard courts. Ouch. Too inconsistent to be a contender. but can get hot and be around for the second week.

13. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, France

Wait, what I miss? When did Muhammad Ali start playing tennis? Hardly. It's just Jo Willie. This guy is capable of a nice run down under. Another favorite to watch. Contender? Probably not, but he'll be around in the second week, and he'll be a lot of fun to watch.

14. Nicolas Almagro, Spain

Three words: Clay-court specialist. Chances: slim and none. And Slim just left town. Only out of the first round once.

15. Marin Cilic, Croatia

Semifinalist last year. Has success on hard courts. Can definitely get on a run. One of my dark horses this year.

16. Mardy Fish, United States

I'm American, Mardy's American. And you gotta love them fish heads that always root him on. I love Mardy, but he's too inconsistent to count on. Fourth round max this year.

17. Ivan Ljubicic, Croatia

Gotten to the quarters once, but other than that mostly first-  and second-round exits for the Croat. Expect the same this year.

18. Sam Querrey, United States

Sam never really does any damage at the Australian Open. Maybe it's the long flight he doesn't like. Expectations aren't high here.

19. Stanislas Wawrinka, Switzerland

Never been out of the third round. Never done much in any Slam. Nothing to see here, move along.

20. John Isner, United States

Guess who this guy doesn't want to see on his side of the draw. Dare I even utter his name?  That's right, Mr. Mahut. John is a dark horse of mine. He got to the fourth round last year. I'm predicting an improvement this year.

21. Marcos Baghdatis, Cyprus

The run that he put together in 2006 was spectacular. Getting to the final and losing to Federer was an amazing accomplishment. Can he repeat the magic he created back then? If he's healthy. He'll have a lot of support from the large Greek community in Melbourne. He's definitely got a shot and seems to always play well down under. Another of my dark horses.

22. Michael Llodra, France

Doubles specialist. Not a threat to do much at all.

23. Nikolay Davydenko, Russia

Been the the quarterfinals four times. Would hate to see this guy in the early rounds at this low of a seed. Back when there were only 16 seeds, no one would want to see this guy in the first round. Expect him to make the second week.

24. Ernests Gulbis, Latvia

Another clay-court specialist, another early exit.

25. Albert Montanes, Spain

See Gulbis, Ernests.

26. Juan Monaco, Argentina

Never out of the third round. Not going to make any noise this year either.

27. David Nalbandian, Argentina

Always a threat at any tournament that he enters. I wouldn't like to have to play him early. Very dangerous especially at a 27 seed.

28. Richard Gasquet, France

Game is definitely more suited to the terre battue coming up in a few months. If he gets hot though, he can be a dangerous opponent.

29. Viktor Troicki, Serbia

Bit of a newcomer to the scene. Not a spectacular record at the Slams. Never out of the third round at any of them. Expect the same this year.

30. Thomaz Bellucci, Brazil

Never seen this guy, never heard of him. Best results are on clay. Does not bode well on the faster surface.

31. Feliciano Lopez, Spain

He's a threat on any surface, as witnessed by the two quarterfinal runs at Wimbledon. But he's too inconsistent to be considered a contender.

32. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, Spain

Not much success outside of clay. Not a threat to do much here.

There's the men's seeds. Let me know what you think. And happy watching this weekend. I'll have the ladies seeds up this afternoon and also check for my gems of the first round shortly after the draw is released.