Mal's Picks
	Washington Former ATP Tour pro MaliVai Washington provides ESPN.com with in-depth analysis during the Australian Open. Washington, a tennis analyst for ESPN, reached the 1996 Wimbledon final.

MELBOURNE, Australia -- The match that's too close to call in the top half of the fourth round is between Pete Sampras and Marat Safin.

Depending on when this match is played, during the day or night, could have a big impact on the outcome. Sampras has never been known as a player to be in excellent condition. Though he says he's in good condition now, Sampras has been known to wilt in the heat sometimes. His chances of winning over Safin increase if it's played in the evening. I imagine Safin hopes this match is played during the day.

Fourth-round picks
Marcelo Rios, Chile, vs. Nicolas Lapentti, Ecuador
Rios has not really vanished over the past couple of years, but for a guy who was No. 1 for a brief period he kind of disappeared. For the first time in a long time, he's healthy and hitting the ball well. He has the talent to win this tournament as long as he can stay mentally motivated because that is one of his challenges.
Pick: Rios (in four sets)

Roger Federer (11), Switzerland, vs. Tommy Haas (7), Germany
Both are players who can one, win this championship and two, will win a Grand Slam event at some point in their careers. Even though Haas is seeded ahead of Federer, Federer should win. Federer is the only player in the draw who has not lost a set in the championship.
Pick: Federer

Albert Costa, Spain, vs. Wayne Ferreira, South Africa
What a win for Wayne Ferreira in the third round. After being down two sets and 5-1 to Ivan Ljubicic, Ferreira dug himself out of the Grand Canyon to win that match. Because of his style of play with his big serve, forehand and aggressive style, he should beat Costa. Costa is not an overpowering player and because of that Ferreira will be able to control the tempo of the match.
Pick: Ferreira

Marat Safin (9), Russia, vs. Pete Sampras (8), United States
The word going around is that Sampras is a little bit injured -- something to do with his leg -- and that he injured it against Nicolas Escude in the third round. Sampras needs to be 100 percent to have a chance at beating Safin. If he's 100 percent come match time, it's 50-50.

Safin is going to have a great year in 2002, and this might be the start of that great year. In 2001, he went through what people call the sophomore slump after winning his first major at the 2000 U.S. Open. He looks like he's going to rebound this year.
Pick: Toss-up