Australian Open 2018: Federer, Nadal, Djokovic favorites to win; Theim, Dimitrov lead young brigade

The big guns of international tennis shall once again lock horns as the season's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open is underway at Melbourne Park.

The men's arena is seeing a change of guard with an emerging order challenging the Big Four. Three of the big four shall bring their experience the fore when they battle a younger but promising lot over the course of two weeks in Melbourne Park.

A lot is at stake as defending champion Roger Federer would like to add another piece of silverware to his already impressive 20 slams. The Swiss ace has been seeded two in this edition of the tournament. Meanwhile, World Number One Rafael Nadal who made an impressive comeback on tour last year has been billed as the top seed.

Six-time Australian Open winner, Novak Djokovic has a lot to prove to his critics after a rather disappointing which has The Serb tennis ace has been seeded 14th in men's singles.

A notable absentee would be World No Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori.In seasoned pro like Juan Martin Del Potro, Stan Wawarkina, Jo Wilfred Tsonga and Marin Cilic would fancy their chances of making it the later stages of the tournament.

The young brigade spearheaded by Grigor Dimitrov, Axelandar Zverev, Dominic Thiem and David Goffin has the requisite arsenal to beat the top guns.

The temperamental Aussie Nick Kyrgios is the highest seed among the Australian singles players in the draw.

So here are the top seeds in the men's singles at the Australian Open

1 Rafael Nadal (ESP)

2 Roger Federer (SUI)

3 Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)

4 Alexander Zverev (GER)

5 Dominic Thiem (AUT)

6 Marin Cilic (CRO)

7 David Goffin (BEL)

8 Jack Sock (USA)

9 Stan Wawrinka (SUI)

10 Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP)

11 Kevin Anderson (RSA)

12 Juan Martin del Potro (ARG)

13 Sam Querrey (USA)

14 Novak Djokovic (SRB)

15 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)

16 John Isner (USA)

17 Nick Kyrgios (AUS)

18 Lucas Pouille (FRA)

19 Tomas Berdych (CZE)

20 Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)

21 Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP)

22 Milos Raonic (CAN)

23 Gilles Muller (LUX)

24 Diego Schwartzman (ARG)

25 Fabio Fognini (ITA)

26 Adrian Mannarino (FRA)

27 Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)

28 Damir Dzumhur (BIH)

29 Richard Gasquet (FRA)

30 Andrey Rublev (RUS)

31 Pablo Cuevas (URU)

32 Mischa Zverev (GER)