Things are getting HOT Down Under...

Tennis' first grand slam tournament of 2008, the Australian Open, begins on Monday. World number one and two-time defending champion Roger Federer is favored to win again, of course. But lotsa guys wanna beat him and they are willing to practice endlessly in the 100 degree-plus heat! Among them is American cutie Andy Roddick (above) who was smoked by Federer a year ago in the semis. Andy is overdue for a win against his nemesis.

Russian Marat Safin was number one in the world way back in 2001, the year after he won the U.S. Open. He's awfully erratic but also dangerous and is the last man to beat Federer in Australia - in the 2005 semifinals. Safin went on to win the title after losing in the final a year earlier.

And then, of course, there is the second-ranked Rafael Nadal, winner of the last three French Opens. He's a master of clay but vulnerable on other surfaces and he's been dealing with bad knees. I say we enjoy him while we can because he might get sent home packing pretty early.