The first grand slam of year 2012 starts in a few hours time. There seems to be no clear favourite in the men's section.

Third-seeded Federer, a four-time Australian Open winner, is on Rod Laver Arena in a night match against Russian qualifier Alexander Kudryavtsev.

No. 2-ranked Nadal [/b]has the last match on Hisense Arena -- the second show court at Melbourne Park -- against Russian Alex Kuznetsov.

Defending champion [b]Djokovic [/b]doesn't start until Tuesday.

Women's champion Kim [b]Clijsters [/b]plays in the third match on Rod Laver Arena on Monday against Maria Joao Koehler of Portugal.

Li [b]Na, who lost the Australian final last year but rebounded to win the French Open to become China's first Grand Slam singles champion, has a first-round match against Ksenia Pervak of Kazakhstan and No. 1-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, still searching for a maiden major title, faces Australia's Anastasia Rodionova.

Who will win the Aussie Open?

So far, these players are safely through to the second round:

Men:
Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI), Marcos Baghdatis (CYP), Tomáš Berdych (CZE), Kevin Anderson (RSA), John Isner (USA), David Nalbandian (ARG), Tommy Haas (GER), Rafael Nadal (ESP), Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR), Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG), Ivo Karlovic (CRO), Sam Querrey (USA), Bernard Tomic (AUS), Roger Federer (SUI), Mardy Fish (USA)

Women:

Jelena Jankovic (SRB), Kim Clijsters (BEL), Na Li (CHN), Daniela Hantuchová (SVK), Victoria Azarenka (BLR), Francesca Schiavone (ITA), Agnieszka Radwanska (POL), Julia Görges (GER)

I expect Djokovic to have another solid year.

Rumor has it Nadal & Fedex beefing a lil' bit . . .

http://espn.go.com/tennis/aus12/story/_/id/7466882/2012-australian-open-rafael-nadal-apologizes-divisive-comments-roger-federer
Rafael Nadal sorry for quips on Federer

MELBOURNE, Australia -- A day after a rare show of discord, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal quickly closed ranks. Nadal had criticized Federer for his unwillingness to speak out on issues affecting the men's game, allowing others to "burn themselves" as they seek improved conditions for players. After joining Nadal in the second round of the Australian Open with a win on Monday, Federer said "things are fine" between the two longtime rivals, although he concedes that they disagree on a way to resolve a list of player grievances that includes the length of the season and the distribution of prize money.

"We can't always agree on everything," Federer said. "So far it's always been no problem really. Back in the day he (Nadal) used to say, 'Whatever Roger decides, I'm fine with.'"Today he's much more grown up. He has a strong opinion himself, which I think is great." For his part, Nadal apologized for airing his disagreement with Federer in public -- although he didn't back down on the views he expressed. "Probably I am wrong telling that to (the media), especially because these things can stay, must stay in the locker room," Nadal said. "I always had fantastic relationship with Roger. I still have fantastic relationship with Roger. Just I said we can have different views about how the tour needs to work. That's all." The rift emerged following a player meeting on Saturday that sparked talk of a possible strike for the second time in six months.

However, Federer said his reluctance to speak out shouldn't be construed as a lack of support."I was in the meeting. I completely understand and support the players' opinions," Federer said. "I just have a different way of going at it. I'm not discussing it with you guys in the press room. It creates unfortunately sometimes negative stories."

So even the ATP is considering going on strike?

Seems Rafa is ready to get mean this season.

montelik:

Seems Rafa is ready to get mean this season.

I wont hang my hat on him this AO. Knee injury already.
I would say this is likely going to be another Djokovic year.

Federer is still da man to beat, Nadal is still struggling with injuries and fitness. And judging frm last season, I think Djokovic will struggle against Federer, cuz his only loss in a grand slam tournament(last year) was against federer, Djokovic has a federer problem, Nadal has a Djokovic problem and Federer has a Nadal problem

^^Funny but true

isik:

Federer is still da man to beat, Nadal is still struggling with injuries and fitness. And judging frm last season, I think Djokovic will struggle against Federer, cuz his only loss in a grand slam tournament(last year) was against federer, Djokovic has a federer problem, Nadal has a Djokovic problem and Federer has a Nadal problem

^^^^
Hmmm, Allahu Akbar.

I give it up to Djokovic. Its his time to reign.
Nadal and Federer are getting rusty. We need fresh blood in Men's tennis Category.

I love women tennis these days , no one remains on top for too long.

isik:

Federer is still da man to beat, Nadal is still struggling with injuries and fitness. And judging frm last season, I think Djokovic will struggle against Federer, cuz his only loss in a grand slam tournament(last year) was against federer, Djokovic has a federer problem, Nadal has a Djokovic problem and Federer has a Nadal problem

You just summed it all up. Djokovic should win though.

I think djokovic will win it. Though i want federer to win but the guy can mess up at crucial points like last yr wimbledon wen he was already leadin novak by two sets but still lost the game.

isik:

Djokovic has a federer problem, Nadal has a Djokovic problem and Federer has a Nadal problem

So true. Of all the stated problems though, I think Djokovic's Federer problems would be the easiest to overcome. However, please do not discount Murray, Ferrer or even Tsonga springing a surprise. This is the Melbourne, and this Slam lends itself to 'pleasant' surprises.

Nadal is my man therefore i support him.

Abeg none of Sir Roger, Rafa or even Novak will dominate this year. I see a break out year for my personal person, Willie Tsonga [size=5pt]*fingers crossed*[/size] 

ans SERENA marches into R2.

frm my own point of view, I think Murray is Overrated, i dont usually follow Tsonga, bt he has been showing sm potential, One player i'm counting on this year is Juan Martin Del Potro, he won the 2009 us open final against federer, bt his progress has been affected by frequent injuries, if he stays fit, i think he'll return to da top 5 this year, FYI: he was da first player to beat both Nadal and Federer in the same tournament

isik:

frm my own point of view, I think Murray is Overrated, i dont usually follow Tsonga, bt he has been showing sm potential, One player i'm counting on this year is Juan Martin Del Potro, he won the 2009 us open final against federer, bt his progress has been affected by frequent injuries, if he stays fit, i think he'll return to da top 5 this year, FYI: he was da first player to beat both Nadal and Federer in the same tournament

No doubt JM Del Potro is a threat anyday but his form has dipped so bad in the last two years. Based on current form(i.e. The season-ending ATP world tour) I'd like to give it to Fed but obviously Djokernole is number one for a reason

#TeamDjokovic. Tsonga remains a 2nd favourite. Wonder what he was doing with a spanish adidas top earlier in his game vs istomin.

I love how female tennis is so unpredictable! About time Wozniacki got a slam.

Santino1:

No doubt JM Del Potro is a threat anyday but his form has dipped so bad in the last two years. Based on current form(i.e. The season-ending ATP world tour) I'd like to give it to Fed but obviously Djokernole is number one for a reason

You r absolutely right man, lets wait and see, and lets not forget Nadal, he can also surprise us. But Federer is my favorite, if he can produce the same form he showed in da Barclays ATP, he's definitely gonna win dis 1.

:/

Mardy Fish fall my hand,

isik:
Djokovic has a federer problem, Nadal has a Djokovic problem and Federer has a Nadal problem

The rock, paper, scissors of men's tennis.

Updates please.

malaika:

For the ladies I'd say watch out for Petra Kvitova

I'd rather stick with Serena not all these one slam winners that go into oblivion before you could say jack.

isik:

You r absolutely right man, lets wait and see, and lets not forget Nadal, he can also surprise us. But Federer is my favorite, if he can produce the same form he showed in da Barclays ATP, he's definitely gonna win dis 1.

Yeah, He's my favourite too, He has the Swiss support,

this first week is too boring , the top seeds are just disgracing the other players in staright sets , most especially the women . i cant wait for the 2nd week , to see full time actions and real tennis ,

men no doubt about the winner will come from these three Djokovic , federer or nadal , but i support Nadal , even though hes not playing well at the moment .

women Serena or Kvitova got my support , but lets not forget clijsters she has all it takes to win this , good game and experience , Azarenka playing very well too but i dont think she can win this

Some Round 3 Results:

Men

Tsonga - Gil 6-2, 6-2, 6-2
Djokovic - Mahut 6-0, 6-1, 6-1
Murray - Llodra 6-4, 6-2, 6-0
Hewitt - Raonic 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3
Kukushkin - Monfils 6-2, 7-5, 5-7, 1-6, 6-4
Nishikori - Benneteau 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-3
Gasquet - Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-3, 6-1
Ferrer - Chela 7-5, 6-2, 6-1

Women

Williams - Arn 6-1, 6-1
Ivanovic - King 6-3, 6-4
Sharapova - Kerber 6-1, 6-2
Lisicki - Kuznetsova 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
Makarova - Zvonareva 7-6, 6-1
Kvitová - Kirilenko 6-0, 1-0 Ab.
Zheng - Bartoli 6-3, 6-3
Errani - Cirstea 6-7, 6-0, 6-2

Round 4 Fixtures:

Men

Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
Richard Gasquet (FRA) vs. David Ferrer (ESP)
Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ)
Kei Nishikori (JPN) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) vs. Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG)
Bernard Tomic (AUS) vs. Roger Federer (SUI)
Tomáš Berdych (CZE) vs. Nicolás Almagro (ESP)
Feliciano López (ESP) vs. Rafael Nadal (ESP)


Women

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)
Kim Clijsters (BEL) vs. Na Li (CHN)
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) vs. Iveta Benešová (CZE)
Julia Görges (GER) vs. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) vs. Serena Williams (USA)
Sabine Lisicki (GER) vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS)
Sara Errani (ITA) vs. Jie Zheng (CHN)
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) vs. Petra Kvitová (CZE)

Looking forward to Del Potro vs Kohlschreiber and Clijsters vs Li Na.

montelik:

Looking forward to Del Potro vs Kohlschreiber and Clijsters vs Li Na.

add jankovic vs wozniacki to d list

Wozniacki should do Jankovic.

Nadal underway. Should edge Lopez

#teamDjokovic