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1. Lleyton Hewitt: He has won in New York and at Wimbledon. We're hard-pressed to come up with a reason he can't do it on home soil. Potential third-round match against Gustavo Kuerten ought to be a good one.
2. Andre Agassi: No one is quite sure of the state of Agassi's game. If he's on, he could win his third A.O. title in four years. If not, a worker bee like Guillermo Cañas could sting him.
3. Marat Safin: If the balky shoulder weren't enough of a concern, a deceptively icky draw -- a healthy-for-the-time-being Richard Krajicek looms in Round 3 -- spells an early demise. We just hopes he brings his "family" to the players' box again.
4. Juan Carlos Ferrero: Has yet to distinguish himself Down Under. This could be the year to change that, particularly since his draw is softer than goose down.
5. Carlos Moya: On the short list of legitimate threats to win the whole jug of sangria. Potential fourth-rounder against Paradorn Srichaphan should be a good one.
6. Roger Federer: All the talent in the world, but his confidence has been playing hide-and-seek for the better part of a year. A Grand Slam disappointment at three events and counting. Draw looks nice, but don't be surprised if Stefan Koubek upsets him in Round 3.
7. Jiri Novak: Won't win seven matches, but Cheery Jiri does awfully well for himself under the radar.
8. Albert Costa: Essentially M.I.A. since his Roland Garros triumph. If the courts are fast, his exit will be, too.
9. Andy Roddick: Year started inauspiciously with a loss to Hyung-Taik Lee, but Mandy's Man is always a threat. The faster the court plays, the farther he'll go.
10. David Nalbandian: Haven't heard much from Nalbandian the Andean since Wimbledon.
11. Paradorn Srichaphan: All aboard the Paradorn bandwagon. A genuine threat to win the whole shebang, but can he handle the skyrocketing expectations?
12. Sebastien Grosjean: A player to watch. Former semifinalist (and should-have-been finalist) had a disappointing 2002, but he's back to full health.
13. Fernando Gonzalez: Particularly if Safin goes out early, the flayin' Chilean could reach semis. Won't get a test until James Blake in Round 3.
14. Guillermo Cañas: Better hard-court player than he's given credit for being. Grinding style should be particularly effective in the heat.
15. Alex Corretja: Has never played to his potential in Melbourne, but innocuous draw should ensure that he at least lives up to seeding.
16. Sjeng Schalken: A second-week player at the last two Slams, keep an eye on the Sjengster.
LOWER SEEDS WORTH WATCHING
20. Xavier Malisse: Marat Lite. The talent is there, but where is his head?
22. Yevgeny Kafelnikov: In his swan song Down Under -- no, seriously -- the former champ will want to go out with more than a whimper.
23. James Blake: If he can get by Gonzalez -- in what could a hell of a match -- draw opens up.
25. Mikhail Youzhny: If he doesn't "blow a [Richard] Gasquet" in first round, Davis Cup hero could go far.
27. Jan-Michael Gambill: His play at the start of the year has been encouraging. Did he bring along enough rackets?
28. Fabrice Santoro: The master of the black arts is always dangerous.
30. Gustavo Kuerten: All eyes already are on his likely third-round showdown with Hewitt.
32. Stefan Koubek: Early leader in the Champions Race enters Australia on hot streak.
DANGEROUS FLOATERS
Max Mirnyi: It's all about the serve.
Mark Philippoussis: It's all about the serve.
Wayne Arthurs: It's all about the serve.
Richard Krajicek: When he's healthy -- no small conditional -- he can play with anyone.
Mardy Fish: Playing the best ball of his career.
FIRST-ROUND MATCHES TO WATCH
Youzhny vs. Richard Gasquet: Don't be surprised if this matchup comes in a Grand Slam final one day
Kuerten vs. Hicham Arazi: Nirvana for fans of shotmaking
Todd Reid vs. Richard Krajicek: Big generation gap could make for an intriguing match.
PREDICTIONS
Semifinals: Hewitt vs. Gonzalez, Moya vs. Agassi
Final: Hewitt vs. Moya
Champion: Hewitt
2. Andre Agassi: No one is quite sure of the state of Agassi's game. If he's on, he could win his third A.O. title in four years. If not, a worker bee like Guillermo Cañas could sting him.
3. Marat Safin: If the balky shoulder weren't enough of a concern, a deceptively icky draw -- a healthy-for-the-time-being Richard Krajicek looms in Round 3 -- spells an early demise. We just hopes he brings his "family" to the players' box again.
4. Juan Carlos Ferrero: Has yet to distinguish himself Down Under. This could be the year to change that, particularly since his draw is softer than goose down.
5. Carlos Moya: On the short list of legitimate threats to win the whole jug of sangria. Potential fourth-rounder against Paradorn Srichaphan should be a good one.
6. Roger Federer: All the talent in the world, but his confidence has been playing hide-and-seek for the better part of a year. A Grand Slam disappointment at three events and counting. Draw looks nice, but don't be surprised if Stefan Koubek upsets him in Round 3.
7. Jiri Novak: Won't win seven matches, but Cheery Jiri does awfully well for himself under the radar.
8. Albert Costa: Essentially M.I.A. since his Roland Garros triumph. If the courts are fast, his exit will be, too.
9. Andy Roddick: Year started inauspiciously with a loss to Hyung-Taik Lee, but Mandy's Man is always a threat. The faster the court plays, the farther he'll go.
10. David Nalbandian: Haven't heard much from Nalbandian the Andean since Wimbledon.
11. Paradorn Srichaphan: All aboard the Paradorn bandwagon. A genuine threat to win the whole shebang, but can he handle the skyrocketing expectations?
12. Sebastien Grosjean: A player to watch. Former semifinalist (and should-have-been finalist) had a disappointing 2002, but he's back to full health.
13. Fernando Gonzalez: Particularly if Safin goes out early, the flayin' Chilean could reach semis. Won't get a test until James Blake in Round 3.
14. Guillermo Cañas: Better hard-court player than he's given credit for being. Grinding style should be particularly effective in the heat.
15. Alex Corretja: Has never played to his potential in Melbourne, but innocuous draw should ensure that he at least lives up to seeding.
16. Sjeng Schalken: A second-week player at the last two Slams, keep an eye on the Sjengster.
LOWER SEEDS WORTH WATCHING
20. Xavier Malisse: Marat Lite. The talent is there, but where is his head?
22. Yevgeny Kafelnikov: In his swan song Down Under -- no, seriously -- the former champ will want to go out with more than a whimper.
23. James Blake: If he can get by Gonzalez -- in what could a hell of a match -- draw opens up.
25. Mikhail Youzhny: If he doesn't "blow a [Richard] Gasquet" in first round, Davis Cup hero could go far.
27. Jan-Michael Gambill: His play at the start of the year has been encouraging. Did he bring along enough rackets?
28. Fabrice Santoro: The master of the black arts is always dangerous.
30. Gustavo Kuerten: All eyes already are on his likely third-round showdown with Hewitt.
32. Stefan Koubek: Early leader in the Champions Race enters Australia on hot streak.
DANGEROUS FLOATERS
Max Mirnyi: It's all about the serve.
Mark Philippoussis: It's all about the serve.
Wayne Arthurs: It's all about the serve.
Richard Krajicek: When he's healthy -- no small conditional -- he can play with anyone.
Mardy Fish: Playing the best ball of his career.
FIRST-ROUND MATCHES TO WATCH
Youzhny vs. Richard Gasquet: Don't be surprised if this matchup comes in a Grand Slam final one day
Kuerten vs. Hicham Arazi: Nirvana for fans of shotmaking
Todd Reid vs. Richard Krajicek: Big generation gap could make for an intriguing match.
PREDICTIONS
Semifinals: Hewitt vs. Gonzalez, Moya vs. Agassi
Final: Hewitt vs. Moya
Champion: Hewitt
