The editors of TENNIS Magazine and TENNIS.com weigh in with their predictions on who will be victorious at the 2008 Australian Open.
James Martin, Editor in Chief
"Roger Federer-- Aside from a potentially tricky second-round encounter with either Fabrice Santoro or John Isner, Federer has an easy quarter. I'll be enough for Federer, who had a stomach virus before the event, to play his way into form and reach the second week, where the only serious threat will be Novak Djokovic. But with Pete Sampras' record so close for the taking, Federer will not be denied here."
"Ana Ivanovic-- Last year, Serena Williams stormed through the draw and surprised everyone by winning the title. This time I think it'll be Ana Ivanovic's turn to turn
heads. The courts are reportedly playing quite slow, which will work in the Serb's favor. She's fast, so she'll get to more balls, and the slower pace will allow her to really wallop the ball and push opponents around with her Davenport-esque groundies. Ivanovic got to the French final and Wimbledon semifinal last year, so she'll be prepared for the pressure of the big situation Down Under.."
Jon Levey, Senior Editor
"Roger Federer-- Unlike last year, somebody will take a set off him. But not three."
"Lindsay Davenport-- Why not? Stranger things have happened down under. "
Sarah Unke, Assistant Editor
"Roger Federer-- One more stellar Grand Slam year is all Federer needs to break the major record. I can't bring myself to predict against history."
"Justine Henin-- It's finally time for Henin to redeem herself in Australia after the tummy ache of 2006. She's just too good lately, mentally and physically, to bet
against. "
David Rosenberg, Photo Editor
"Novak Djokovic-- Is it just me or do most of the men already seem shaky in 2008?"
"Venus Williams-- Since making the final in 2003, her results have been dismal in Melbourne. Seems the perfect Williams preparation for her first title. "
Kamakshi Tandon, Online Editor
"Roger Federer-- He won't play as well as he did last year, but it should still be good enough to win."
"Justine Henin-- It's a crowded field but when it counts, she's stepped up more than the others over the last year."
Sarah Thurmond, Assistant Editor
"Roger Federer-- True, he had that stomach virus and didn't get to play a warm-up event, but who cares? His competition is pretty weak. Rafael Nadal just lost badly to Mikhail Youzhny in his tune-up tourny and he hasn't reached a semis here ever. Novak Djokovic will probably meet Fed in the semis but I don't see him denying Fed his 13th major. Andy Murray just won his first tournament of the year. With his new "team of experts" could this be his time to break out? As for the American, Andy Roddick has a qualifier in the first round and could face Donald Young in the second. Too bad for the promising youngster. If John Isner beats that French guy, Fabrice Santoro, he'll be playing Federer in the second round."
"Justine Henin - Another obvious choice. She's coming off her amazing 2007 and just beat Svetlana Kuznetsova, her victim in last year's U.S. Open final, at the Medibank International in Sydney. The player of interest for me is Lindsay Davenport. She's won three tournaments since she returned last year after having a baby. Serena Williams came back and won this last year, so I can see a confident and only-getting-stronger Davenport do something crazy like that."