2007 Australian Open Picks

Well, it's time to be wrong for the first time in 2007. So, needless to say, I'm going to hedge my bets and picks Roger Federer to win the Australian Open. There is no safer bet in sports at the moment, is there?

As a matter of fact, I'll go one better (of is it four?) and say that the Magnificent One will this season become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win the true Grand Slam. And, yes, he'll cry on Arthur Ashe in September... hopefully, Laver will be there to see it yet again, too.

As for Oz:



**ROUND OF 16**
#1 Federer def. #14 Djokovic
#7 Robredo def. #11 Baghdatis
T.Johansson def. #4 Ljubicic
#6 Roddick def.#9 Ancic
#12 Haas def. #8 Nalbandian
#3 Davydenko def. #13 Berdych
#5 Blake def. #19 Hewitt
#31 Wawrinka def. #15 Murray

...if Djokovic had been in the bottom half of the draw, I would have been tempted to pick a SF (at least). Blake and Hewitt seem to be connected by a slam umbilical cord. No Rafa? He doesn't appear to be ready, but then again that was the thought at Wimbledon last year, too.

**QUARTERFINALS**
#1 Federer def. #7 Robredo
#6 Roddick def. T.Johansson
#3 Davydenko def. #12 Haas
#5 Blake def. #31 Wawrinka

...of course, Joachim Johansson might end up being a story at this Australian Open, as well.

**SEMIFINALS**
#1 Federer def. #6 Roddick
#3 Davydenko def. #5 Blake

...yeah, Roddick beat Federer at Kooyang. But Tommy Haas did the same thing a year ago, and how much did that matter? At least Blake won't have to be obliterated by Federer again.

**FINAL**
#1 Federer def. #3 Davydenko

...Nikolay cares about this one. But, unfortunately for the Russian, so does Roger.


One down in RogerSlam. Three to go. All for now.

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