AO 2011: Quarterfinals

Well looky here, a little chance to blog on how awesome the first Grand Slam of the year is. I can't believe that it's been 3 years already since I got to wander around Melbourne Park, and the landscape (of players) has changed immensely.

Just in case you haven't noticed. The ladies have been stealing the show all week in Melbourne: From Caroline's interview candor, Fran & Svetlana's epic match, Kim's dominance, and even Andrea's little jig. What Serena, you weren't there? I think we already forgot.

Men's QF
Nadal vs Ferrer
Dolgopolov vs Murray
Berdych vs Djokovic
Wawrinka vs Federer

Really nothing to worry for Nadal's SF spot, until he runs into Murray. That should be an interesting Friday match, too bad I'll miss it! Murray is in fine form, with no troubles winning a set, and so has been Nadal. We'll see how that goes.

I'll also miss out on the Federer-Djokovic showdown (no thank you night classes!). Hope Federer wins, but rooting for Djokovic. I want a new winner to Aussie Open 2011, but wins by the top 3 players are also welcome.

Women's QF
Caroline vs Francesca
Na vs Andrea
Agnieszka vs Kim
Petra vs Vera

At least by this time, we already know that a new Queen in Melbourne will be crowned Saturday. It would be a vindicating one for Caroline, a long-overdue one for Kim, a geographically-appropriate (and political statement) one for Na, and a surprise for the rest. My guess is a Na-Kim for the most Korean-sounding final in Melbourne.

It's A Hot Day In Melbourne!

I remember a ritual involving writing predictions for every tennis Grand Slam. But my, 2010 is shaping to be quite a busy year, and we're just in the first 20 days of it. Missed out on the prediction from the get go, but here's what I got right: breakthroughs for Vika, Marin and Jie; and what I did not get right: Kim's demolition, and Sharapova's flameout. Plus, Dementieva's spirited loss against Henin. It's shaping to be an excellent tourney yet again in Australia, so let's get the predictions on.


Federer vs Davydenko
I've never rooted for Davydenko, and I would've cheered for him (tout him as a favorite, even). Tough part of the draw as he meets Federer as early as the QF; this could've been a final, IMO.

While Davydenko showed chinks in his armor, Federer upped his game against Hewitt. Sure does pay to know each other's game very well. Same fate lies for Davydenko, but expect a fight. Four sets for Federer.

Djokovic vs Tsonga
Has anyone noticed that no one has noticed Djokovic? He's one of 3 ex-champs here in Melbourne, but all eyes have been on the comeback ladies and the question marks on Nadal (fitness) and Murray (when is that slam coming?). Nole takes on a rematch of his 2008 win against Tsonga, who looked demoralised fending off streaky Almagro in the previous round. A tired Tsonga will bounce his way out of the tournament thanks to a fine straight set win from Djokovic.

Roddick vs Cilic
If I'm going to call an upset, this would be it. While the tall lanky Croat stringed a mature win over US Open champ JMDP, Marin's method was still shaky and unconvincing at some points. Roddick's style has gone from one-sided to consistently explosive, and using maturity now as an added weapon.

Both players won their warmup tourneys in Brissy and Chennai, and someone will end his streak here. I call Marin to step up tp the plate, and defeat Roddick by out-acing and out-pacing him. Roddick, now faster than ever will catch up with some of them, but expect those backhand returns to be dealt with pain. Another 5 setter in the works.

Murray vs Nadal

This round's marquee match. A blazing Nadal will square off a bulked-up (yet again) Murray. Will Murray choke (Hopman Cup anyone), or have a repeat of his run to the final? Speed-wise, it's a pretty even match, but for power, the advantage belongs to the Spaniard. I would like to vote Nadal here in 4, but why do I get this sinking feeling that this'll end in straight sets for Andy?


Semis and Final
Federer. Djokovic. Grand Slam semifinal. Didn't we see this before? Yawn. Murray-Cilic? Well that's new. And so is this: Novak will make the finals, and so will Murray. Only because I've been waiting for this matchup for quite a while now. Maiden slam for Murray? Nah, Australia's not really his strongest suit.






----------------------

Serena vs Vika
This should be an explosive match. Serena is playing untouchable tennis, serving impeccably and demolishingly precise. Vika is a true firecracker, clawing her way out of a big hole to make it to the quarters.

We'll see a lot of rallies here, and a side to side wiping of both players. If Azarenka can manage to get past the Serena serve, she'll have a chance (like she did last year, before retiring due to food poisoning). However, from Serena form of late, everyone is just scrambling for that runner-up plate. I say straight sets. If Vika gets past Serena, then it's Azarenka FTW.

Na vs Venus
Venus could've tumbled earlier, but she didn't. Must be the wisdom of maturity that's anchoring her fantastic run in Oz. She never tends to do well here, but I'll give her a shot at the all-Williams clash by getting past China's Na in 3 tight sets.

Justine vs Nadia
With so many people to choose from this quarter, did we really end up with this match up? Drat, should've put my money on Justine instead of Elena for my FL picks.
I'd love to see Nadia breakthrough here. Anyone who humiliates the the last GS winner by surrendering only 1 game, deserves some praise. Nadia also took our reigning RG winner Sveta in the previous round. I want to see how that hot streak fares against this Grand Slam episode's comeback queen Justine. I'll vote on the Nadia train for 2 sets; if goes to a third expect Henin to squeak out of that.


Jie vs Maria
Wow, who would've thought it. China represent! No ide where this one will go, but I'm hoping that Jie makes a second SF appearance in a Grandslam. Besides, it's the slam of the Asia-Pacific; nice to see two Chinese players out there.


Semis and Final
Serena. There's no denying that she's head and shoulders above the pile, and enjoying it. And oh, welcome back Justine. I smell a rivalry revived.

Australian Open 2009 - Men's Quarterfinals

Almost - for the first time ever, all Top 8 seeds make it in the final 8 of a Grand Slam. Yeah, that would've been nice, if top pick Andy Murray hadn't crashed out in the 4R against Verdasco. Oh well.

Nadal vs Simon
It has to be said - Nadal did not enter the competition as the favorite, which is a true disgrace as he is the top seed. As all eyes were heavily focused on his rivals, Nadal was quietly going through, nay, razing through his section of the draw. Time to make a U-turn, as he is most likely to wind up in the final.

Expect this encounter with Simon to be a marathon of sorts. Lots of baseline rallies from both players, and Simon risking a little bit more to out manouver Nadal. Still, the Frenchman will not have all the answers in his Grand Slam QF debut, and will fold in four sets.

Verdasco vs Tsonga
Tsonga is out there to prove his finish last year was no one-hit wonder. And Verdasco is suddenly gaining attention for slapping pundits and Andy Murray out of the tournament. I'm favoring Muhammad Ali here for a strong finish.

Roddick vs Djokovic
Hey, everyone seems to have forgotten poor Andy Roddick as a GS contender. He's been coasting like Nadal through his draw, but the draw gods were not kind to Roddick as he faces the defending champion in the QF. Nole will get through by utilising his complete game and off-balancing Andy with superior shot placement. I'd say 4 sets.

Del Potro vs Federer
That near-miss from Federer must still sting by now. When Tipsarevic tried to tug at Federer last year, King Roger was maimed and fell by the semis. This year, Roger fell behind 2 sets down but managed a glorious comeback. I think that if Del Potro nabs a set off him - Roger will go crash and burn. Not just yet, not in this round yet.


Semis and Final
Nadal over Tsonga in 5 stellar sets. I want to see Nadal win over Tsonga as revenge for last year's loss. It was so bad for Nadal that I actually had to use 'helpless' to describe him. How often does that happen?

Hopefully, another replay of 2008 semis, both with different results. No time to wast for Federer in surpassing Pete's record, but Nadal is a major threat. I'm going for Nadal to win his first hardcourt major, and Federer left following the sport's pecking order as #2.

Australian Open 2009 - Women's Quarterfinals

Women's Quarterfinals

Vera vs Marion
There's plenty to like with Marion - the quick smile, the quirky dance before serving that adoration for James Bond...but it's her tennis that stand from all of is. A weird looking double-handed forehand that produces so much spin that left two world #1s dazzled with her returns. Expect her to use these shots against an average Zvonareva, and return to the semifinal 4 in 3 long sets.

Jelena vs Dinara
Marquee match of this round. Jelena has been the darling of the crowd for the past week, after donning the Aussie flag and carrying the sentimental vote. I'd vote for her, but she's physically exhausted already from her grueling win over Kleybanova. It wasn't just the lengthy match, but the extensive amount of running done. A steady Safina who learned her lesson last year in digging dip, and creating turnaround matches will prevail in two.

Elena vs Carla
Giant-killer Carla's dream run will end here. A dominating Elena cooled off red hot winner Dominika in relentless fashion in the previous round. Just what Elena needed, a calming match just before the final barrage of matches. Dementieva in 2.

Svetlana vs Serena
Serena will out power and outplay with confidence in straight sets.

Semi finals and Final
I smell an all-Russian affair for the final, but an all-Russian affair at the semis? Quite possible, and that's with Sharapova by the sidelines. Though I picked Serena to ruin the Russian parade at the semis, a win is due for Elena Dementieva (my pick again!) with compatriot Dinara as runner-up in a replay of the Beijing Olympics.

2009 Australian Open

It feels like so long ago when I watched some Grand Slam action; moreover, I'm not reporting courtside this year (It's been that long!) But tradition still calls and here's the predictions for the first week and a half of what going on in Melbourne.



Men's Draw
Defending Champion: Novak Djokovic

Quarter I
Surely Nadal is the top star in this quarter, but may not necessarily be the top draw. Watch out as local favorite Hewitt start his campaign against fellow runner up Fernando Gonzalez; definitely people will be flocking in Rod Laver Arena, or camping out in Federation Square. It doesn't get any easier for him after that, as potential foes include Gasquet, Canas, and finally the top seed.

QF Match: Nadal vs Monfils

Quarter II
All eyes are on Murray even if he trails the ranking games, he's the one blazing through the ATP Tour these past 4 months. Plus, he's put on a less surly outlook that made the crowd appreciate him. It's a fairly easy draw for him, until the quarters. Saw Murray got trashed by eventual runner up in the opening day of AO 08, and hopefully the results will be different in the round of 8.

QF Match: Murray vs Tsonga

Quarter III
Djokovic and his complete clan came in N-O-L-E shirts, and it was indeed a fairytale story for them and their home country (I'm sure some part of those proceeds went to fund Serbia's first ATP tournament). Though his hard court season was been so-so, it looks like an easy four rounds for Novak who can face Roddick in the quarters. However, Roddick's set is a mish-mash of his contemporaries (Ferrero, Nalbandian, Robredo) and throw in his conqueror last year (Kohlschreiber), it's a fairly open draw.

QF Match: Roddick vs Djokovic

Quarter IV
It's really hard to imagine the finalists not come from the quadrumvirate (I propose to use tetrumvirate, but it may mislead more than highlight the number "4"), and also hard to imagine that Federer will not be a contender for it. It's time to meet Sampras' record Roger!
Do pay attetion to Marin Cilic as he may put up a good run here - he played well last year, and a QF appearance (following his win in Chennai) is just about due.

QF Match: Cilic vs Federer


----------------------------

Women's Singles
Defending Champion: Maria Sharapova


Melbourne lost a lot of star power this year with Sharapova's withdrawal. Sure, she's missed out a lot of tournaments due to that bum shoulder of hers, but it's a bit more pressure when you're the defending champion. She ascended to the championship in a fashion similar to her 06 Flushing Meadows win, let's see if someone will stamp their dominance from the opening rounds.

Quarter I
This could be the tournament that will save Jelena from all the doubts plaguing her "Slamless #1" curse. Her draw is the softest one in either men's and women's and even her QF might be easy. Anything less than last year's show might be considered as a letdown.

QF Match: Jelena vs Vera

Quarter II
Heavily stacked section of the draw, but no other contenders spring up apart from Dinara and Ana. Too bad they're slated to meet at the QF stage.

QF Match: Dinara vs Ana


Quarter III
I'll save a lot on space and replay what I predicted (hoped) for US Open 2008. Elena Dementieva. Save for a potential date with Venus Williams, she should get by this draw easily. However, 2 tournament wins will do make you a bit exhausted.

QF Match: Venus vs Elena


Quarter IV
Every other year, Serena roosts down under to pick up her Grand Slam. Not too far fetched from happening, as the sisters just stroll onto tennis majors and pick up a prize. Now that Serena is pumped, ready and on a roll, it's only a matter of time before she grabs the top ranking and reign once again as the best female player.

QF Match: Agnieszka vs Serena