The results of this first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year at the 2009 Australian Open matter in different ways for each of the top eight men.  So what’s at stake for each of the players?

Rafael Nadal – A chance to diversify his collection of Grand Slam trophies and reaffirm his place at the top of the rankings after missing the final events of 2008 due to a knee injury

Roger Federer – An opportunity to tie Pete Sampras’s record of 14 Grand Slam titles and confirm that he’s in the chase for Number One in 2009

Novak Djokovic – The pressure of defending his Australian Open title and ranking points

Andy Murray – The pressure of expectations that he's beaten all of the other top contenders and is now expected to win a Grand Slam title

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – He has ranking points to defend from reaching the 2008 Australian Open final and the knowledge that he has the talent to win a Grand Slam title

Gilles Simon – Needs to prove that he belongs in the top ten by having a strong showing at the first Grand Slam of 2009

Andy Roddick – Feels inspired with a new coach, but can he win a second Slam?

Juan Martin del Potro – Finished 2008 strongly, but can he continue his upward rise through the rankings in 2009?