Maybe because this section doesn’t have anyone named Roger, Rafa or Novak, but I believe that this part of the draw may get a little crazy and could open up a path for a trip to the semis for a relative unknown or young gun.
EARLY ROUNDS:
Gasquet (8)
Lindhal
Lopez
Odesnik
Richard Gasquet is playing some really good tennis these days. He should get a test in Round 2 from Feliciano Lopez, but the Spaniard is just too inconsistent to really expect him to take out Gasquet. The Frenchman should move on to Round 3.
Vliegen
Patience
Pavel
Andreev (31)
One Frenchman deserves another, as I expect Olivier Patience to make it to the 3rd Round because of the Eastern Europeans, Andrei Pavel and Igor Andreev, battle that is sure to take place in Round 1. Patience should move on.
Chela (18)
Garcia-Lopez
Falla
Anderson
Though extremely inconsistent, I do not see anyone in this group that can beat Juan-Ingecio Chela, so he should move on.
Warburg
Brzezicki
Tsonga
Murray (9)
Though he got a really tough opening-round draw in the extremely athletic Frenchman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, I believe that Andy Murray is ready for a breakout Grand Slam. This could be the year of multiple semifinals for Murray, possibly starting in Melbourne. Either way, I like Murray to advance in a tough 1st Round match, but a relatively easy 2nd Round match.
Youzhny (14)
Montcourt
Levy
Seppi
I never understood why Mikhail Youzhny could never crack the top 10. This might the the year. Either way, he should cruise through the first two rounds here.
Sela
Slanar
Baker
Karlovic (20)
One of the best servers on tour, Ivo Karlovic looks ready to become an all-around solid player on tour and should be a consistent top 20 player. I don’t know if he’s ready to break out here in Australia, but look for him at Wimbledon. Either way, look for him here to at least get to Round 3.
Wawrinka (26)
Benneteau
Lu
Gicquel
I will talk more about the young Swiss player, Stanislas Wawrinka, but this is what I was talking about as far as a great opportunity in this section of the draw. I expect Wawrinka to advance out of Round 2 and then see what he can do from there.
Mahut
Acasuso
Llodra
Davydenko (4)
Though he may have tough matches against both Llodra and Acasuso, I don’t think Davydenko should have any problem making it through to Round 3.
ROUND 3:
Gasquet (8) over Patience
Gasquet is just a lot better than his fellow countryman and should move easily into the Round of 16.
Murray (9) over Chela (18)
This may be the time for Andy Murray, as I said earlier. Look for him to move at least into the Round of 16.
Youzhny (14) over Karlovic (20)
Again, I think Youzhny has top 10 talent. Here is where he may prove me right. Youzhny should move easily into the Round of 16.
Wawrinka (26) over Davydenko (4)
Maybe I pre-empted this with all my talk of “wide open section” and “time is right for a up-and-comer,” but this is the big upset I predict in the first 3 rounds. I like the Federer protege to defeat the #4 player in the world and advance to the Round of 16.
ROUND OF 16 QUALIFIERS FROM THIS SECTION:
Gasquet (8)
Murray (9)
Youzhny (14)
Wawrinka (26)
