The Men’s Draw at the Australian Open has gone vertical. Everyone is getting taller, the serves are getting bigger and the ground strokes even more authoritative. The play at Melbourne has been marked by impressive shotmaking, thunderous serves and leaving little doubt that the game is changing yet again. Could it be that Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, two of the draw’s hottest players, are too short?

Tall, strong, forceful players, Novak Djokovic, Juan Marin Del Porto and Marin Cilic have reasons to be confident. They are all serving and playing well. While tested in the third round on Day Five, the trio pressed forward into the round of sixteen. Nothing came easily for three of the tour’s taller, hard-serving players.

Del Porto was pushed by Luxembourg’s own 25 year old fireballer, Gilles Muller, in the 6-7, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 win. Muller had 71 outright winners, but double faulted at key moments in the fiercely played match. Del Porto displayed the form that has seen his remarkable rise to the world’s number 8 ranking. Muller continues his comeback. His stock will certainly rise after his Australian performance.

Del Porto will have a full plate when taking on Croatia’s own flamethrower, Marin Cilic. Cilic made it look relatively easy against veteran and 11th seeded David Ferrer in his 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. Whenever Cilic needed a big serve, it was there. Cilic had 20 more winners than Ferrer and had no double faults.

The 2008 champion, Novak Djokovic was tested by unseeded American Amer Delic, who displayed all the weapons of a top 10 player. The former NCAA champion committed 56 unforced errors but had 46 outright winners. His play was streaky, but when he was on, even Djokovic was impressed. In addition to a big serve, Delic showed deft drop shots and net play. He was most impressive when following his serve to the net. At the match’s conclusion, Djokovic congratulated the unheralded American on his play.

The 2nd seed and 12 time Grand Slam winner. Roger Federer appeared relaxed and comfortable in pushing aside retiring Russian Marat Safin in straight sets. Federer has not lost a set in the event. He continues to show the stellar strokes that have defined his remarkable career. It seems that to reach the finals, the bottom of the men’s draw, players will have to go through the Swiss champion and long-time world number one.

Meanwhile the top of the lower bracket continues to break Andy Roddick’s way. Roddick, the 7 seed, seems comfortable with his more patient play. Making fewer and fewer errors, the hard-serving Roddick has been a model of consistency. Like Federer, Andy has dominated his matches and is favored against his next opponent, Spain’s Tommy Robredo. Robredo made short work of Taipei’s upstart, Yen-Hsun Lu, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

In a late night match, Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus ousted 23rd seed American Mardy Fish in straight sets. Baghdatis looked flawless and will next challenge heavily favored Djokovic on Day Seven.

What a weekend lies ahead in Melbourne! Stay tuned for more excitement form down under.

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