The year’s first Grand Slam starts this Monday, and the draw has now been made. Top seed Roger Federer faces a possible quarter final clash with in-form Russian Nikolay Davydenko, and a could face 2008 champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-final. Federer lost in the final to Rafael Nadal last year, and the three time champion will look to regain his title this year.

Britain’s Andy Murray has a tough draw, with Nadal, Juan Martin Del Potro and Andy Roddick all in his side of the draw. He will likely face defending champion Nadal in the quarter finals, before a potential semi-final with either Roddick, the man who beat him in the Wimbledon semi-final, or US Open champion Del Potro. Murray has generally been disappointing in Melbourne, his best result being the fourth round finishes in 2007 and 2009, and he will feel that he can do better this year.

Fourteen-time Grand Slam winner Federer is unsurprisingly favourite for the tournament, priced at 3/1. Rafael Nadal, who recently lost to Davydenko in the final of the Doha Open, is next at 4/1. Del Potro is at 6/1, and Murray and Djokovic are both at 13/2.

There is then a jump to Nikolay Davydenko who is priced at 11/1. This seems to be good value as he is undoubtedly the form man on tour. As well as beating Federer and Nadal on his way to the title in Doha, he was also in the form of life at the end of last season, winning the World Tour Finals as well as events in Shanghai and Malaysia. Andy Roddick is next at 25/1.

2010 looks to be a great year for tennis, with players getting closer and closer at the top, and this tournament will hopefully set the tone for the rest of the year.

Australian Open men’s winner betting odds

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