The Australian Open has selected FANbassadors who tweet and blog about the event and who you can connect with to keep up with what’s going on around the grounds.
I’m pleased to be a FANbassador and pleased to be in such good company.
I’ve done a round up below of predictions from some of the FANbassadors for the Men’s Quarter Finals.
View the Australian Open Schedule of Play.
Ferrer playing against Gasquet
My Predictions
Federer v Del Potro
This is a match that I really wish both guys could win. Delpo is one of my favourite players and I’m really happy to see Roger in winning form. Both have the skills and experience to win and are coming off great wins on Sunday.
Prediction: Del Potro in five.
Nadal v Berdych
Rafa is another one of my favourite players and based on the way he has carried himself and responded to interviews during this Australian Open he is rapidly moving to the top of my list. He’s in blistering form to show Berdych what good sportsmanship is all about.
Prediction: Nadal in three.
Murray v Nishikori
I’m so pleased that Nishikori has made it this far to become the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam Quarter Final. He is one of my long shot bets to win the final. I haven’t been able watch many of Murray’s matches but from looking at the score lines and what I’ve read, he will keep his fans’ hopes alive.
Prediction: Murray in three.
Djokovic v Ferrer
This will be a really interesting match. Ferrer sizzled against Gasquet on Monday, and Hewitt is the only man to get a set off Djokovic so far this tournament. I could take the comfortable road of picking Djokovic but Ferrer was a semi finalist last year and I think he can cause an upset.
Prediction: Ferrer in five.
Chris Skelton’s Predictions
Read the Sharapovanovic complete Day 9 Preview.
Federer v Del Potro
Dogged by a back injury during his preparation for Melbourne, Federer has brushed any rumors of fallibility aside by reaching the quarterfinals without losing a set. Especially impressive was his mastery over Australian home hope Tomic, whom he dismissed with wave after wave of all-court brilliance, highlighted by pinpoint backhands. When that less reliable shot follows Federer’s commands so faithfully, the rest of his game rises to vintage heights. Across the net, Del Potro’s cross-court forehand offers the best window onto his confidence, which has must have risen after a series of progressively more emphatic victories. When that explosive groundstroke crackles through the court, he can thrust opponents well behind the baseline and find short angles at his leisure. Del Potro has made ominously impressive progress through the draw so far, looking increasingly convincing in each match, but he hasn’t defeated an elite opponent in a long time. Expect Federer to start impressively, suffer a lull just as Del Potro settles into the match, and then rebound to set up his blockbuster semifinal with Nadal.
Prediction: Federer in four
Nadal v Berdych
Central to this quarterfinal are two statistics involving the Czech: his six-tiebreak winning streak this tournament and his nine-match losing streak against the world #2. Winning three successive tiebreaks to erase a one-set deficit against Almagro, Berdych will feel confident in his serve whenever a set reaches its climax. But the more compelling statistic is the Spaniard’s uncanny dominance over a rivalry that initially rested on rather even terms. Betrayed by his one-dimensional game and ungainly footwork, Berdych rarely has even threatened Rafa in matches on every surface, most notably a straight-sets defeat in the 2010 Wimbledon final. Moreover, the Spaniard should take motivation from the slight to his compatriot Almagro in the previous round, which also should turn the Rod Laver crowd against the Czech. The underdog should find the cards thoroughly stacked against him when he faces a player desperate to avoid a third straight quarterfinal exit in his least productive major so far.
Prediction: Nadal in three
Murray v Nishikori
Steadied by the guidance of Ivan Lendl, Murray has looked crisp throughout his first four matches but has not yet met an opponent remotely capable of challenging him through a best-of-five format. Even when he lost his first set of the tournament to Ryan Harrison, he responded firmly and relatively calmly in reversing the match’s momentum. Essentially a Ferrer-like counterpuncher with solid but not sizzling groundstrokes, Nishikori lacks the serve that could trouble the Scot, who should hold much more comfortably. When they met during the Asian tour last fall, Murray conceded only three games. More experienced and ready for the occasion now, the top-ranked Japanese man should acquit himself more creditably while failing to build upon his five-set upset of Tsonga. Until he develops a heavier first strike, success against the ATP Big Four will elude him at majors.
Prediction: Murray in three
Djokovic v Ferrer
A semifinalist in Melbourne last year, Ferrer twice has defeated a weary Djokovic at the year-end championships while losing all of his other hard-court meetings with the Serb. During a comprehensive victory over Gasquet, he deployed his inside-out forehand to masterful effect and approached the net with success, not usually one of his strengths. When the two best returners in the ATP collide, expect to see plenty of extended rallies and more service breaks than usual. The medium-speed hard courts suit Djokovic’s uniquely balanced game better than those at any other major, although he will need to expend plenty of effort to overcome the tireless Ferrer, who will punish him for any lapse. With the semifinals in sight, the world #1 may take his eye off the prize near the end of the match before regrouping to close out an opponent with far fewer weapons.
Prediction: Djokovic in four
Nishikori playing against Tsonga
David Hards’ Predictions
Federer v Del Potro
Federer would have hoped for any other opponent in the quarter finals, but he has drawn del Porto. Federer has been in amazing form but I’m tipping the Argentine in the upset of the Open.
Prediction: Del Potro
Read Is Del Potro Federer’s Kryptonite?
Nadal v Berdych
After his antics Berdych will be playing Nadal and the crowd. Nadal should be too good for the Czech.
Prediction: Nadal in four
Murray v Nishikori
I would have tipped Tsonga, but he’s not there. Murray cruised through his round of 16 match, and should beat the newfound Japanese hero.
Prediction: Murray
Djokovic v Ferrer
Ferrer is sneaking under the radar, but Novak is playing great tennis and should continue his run.
Prediction: Djokovic in three
Del Potro after his Round 1 win
Katherine’s Predictions
Federer v Del Potro
This match is hard to call but I think I would give the edge to Del Potro. He does have a losing record against Federer but i believe that he’s been playing well enough to cause an upset.
Prediction: Del Potro in four
Nadal v Berdych
I believe that Rafa will take this in straights. The crowd might even be a factor for Berdych but I don’t think that Rafa will even allow for Berdych to get much into the match.
Prediction: Nadal in three
Murray v Nishikori
I will have to say that it is most likely that Murray will beat Nishikori and in straight sets. Prior to Nishikori upsetting Tsonga, he went 4 sets wiith Benneteau and prior to that 5 sets with Ebden. I don’t think this match will be about shotmaking as much how much does Nishikori have left.
Prediction: Murray in three
Djokovic v Ferrer
Against Djokovic, I would like to see Ferrer get the upset and its possible but it won’t be a straight set victory. More like a five set tango.
Prediction: Ferrer in five
Rafa in Round 1
Steph’s Predictions
Federer v Del Potro
Oh boy. I haven’t seen Del Potro play yet in this Aussie Open but having seen him in Davis Cup he is definitely on his way back up. I’m pretty biased toward Delpo so I’m going to pick him to move on in four sets!
Prediction: Del Potro in four
Nadal v Berdych
Rafa has a pretty good record against Tomas but he’s been stuck at the Aussie Open quarterfinal stage for the past two years. I think Rafa has been looking mostly solid and see him getting through this in straight sets.
Prediction: Nadal in three
Murray v Nishikori
Has Andy Murray been playing at the Aussie Open this year? Where has he been? Certainly not on Rod Laver Arena until Monday when he was barely on court when his weary opponent retired, sending him to the quarters. Kei, on the other hand, has battled hard and two of his matches have gone five sets. I think Kei will test Andy but I see the Scot advancing in four sets.
Prediction: Murray in four
Djokovic v Ferrer
I’m shocked Novak dropped a set to Hewitt, and that makes me feel better about Ferrer. The Spaniard is coming off a title in Auckland and a great win over Gasquet in the fourth round. As much as I’d love Ferrer to repeat his WTF win over Novak, I think the Serb will win this one in five sets.
Prediction: Djokovic in five
Elena’s Predictions
Federer v Del Potro
I am so excited for this match-up because the last time these two played in a Slam, Del Potro upset Federer to win the US Open. I know this could be an epic five-setter – because they’ve done it twice before. But I do feel Federer is the fresher and fitter of the two, plus he’s been barely challenged in his matches leading up to this point. My pick is Federer but I’m hoping he’ll at least have to work for it in three tough sets.
Prediction: Federer in three
Nadal v Berdych
I worry that Rafa is more injured than he’s letting us believe. Of course he would never say how bad he’s feeling until it becomes an issue in a match, and I worry this is the match-up that could make any of his ailments an issue. I want to believe Rafa could win this but if either of Tuesday’s men’s quarterfinals are upset-worthy, it’s this one. My heart tells me Rafa, but my head tells me Berdych in four sets.
Prediction: Berdych in four
Murray vs Nishikori
Kei Nishikori has no doubt been the Cinderella story of this Slam. Andy Murray has been consistent and powerful, playing some matches he’s referred to as “boring” (his last one against Mikhail Kukushkin in which Kuky retired). I think Murray is just too strong right now to be beaten and Nishikori has just come off a greuling five-set match against Tsonga. I think Murray in 3, setting up a semifinal that’ll be a rematch of last year’s final.
Prediction: Murray in three
Djokovic v Ferrer
While all of the players have so much respect for David Ferrer’s style of play, the media tend to ignore him when it comes to their coverage. Not only that, he’s rarely placed on a showcourt for his matches. Why? He’s definitely one of the most consistent players and has yet to make his big breakthrough to a Grand Slam final. However, Novak Djokovic is a tall task and, the way he’s been playing this tournament is only a hangover from last year. Sadly I don’t see this as David’s breakthrough. I see this going Djokovic’s way in 4 tight sets.
Prediction: Djokovic in four
Rod Laver Arena
Brodie’s Predictions
Federer v Del Potro
It’s been a long couple of years for Del Potro after serious wrist damage and surgery, and it’s fantastic to see him back. By the end of 2009, after his US Open win, he was seen as the most serious threat to the dominance of the top four, and rightfully so. Delpo continues to have a fantastic serve, powerful groundstrokes and underrated defense that make him a force on the tour day in and day out.
Unfortunately, from what I have seen, the consistency is not yet there, and neither is the fitness. This means that the overwhelming power is not continually present and points tend to be much longer than he would probably like. While he often raises his game for tougher opponents, Federer has been rock solid and will likely prove too physically and mentally consistent for the big man.
Prediction: Federer in four
Nadal v Berdych
Of all quarterfinals, I have likely seen the least of these two in comparison to the others. However, watching Nadal in Doha and now Melbourne, it is clear that he feels he needs to push his game to the next level in order to defeat Djokovic, much like he did in his pursuit of the 2010 US Open title. This is the perfect mindset for him going into a match versus a tricky opponent coming off the back of a difficult match that ended in controversy.
For Berdych, his match ended in controversy after declining to shake Almagro’s hand at the end of the match due to being drilled in the chest earlier. Berdych has played well and gotten by, but he will need his best form to beat Nadal, which I don’t believe he is in right now.
Prediction: Nadal in four
Murray v Nishikori
Kei Nishikori’s epic five set win versus Tsonga made him the first male Japanese player into the quarter final of a grand slam in 80 years, and was a great sight to see. Unfortunately for him, he was absolutely drained at the end of the match, and rightfully so. Murray has had a generally easy way through the draw, and his game matches up will against his opponent. Don’t expect much drama here.
Prediction: Murray in three
Djokovic v Ferrer
A bent and broken Lleyton Hewitt thrilled the home town crowd late Monday night and into Tuesday morning as he fought to take a set off of the world number 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Unfortunately for David Ferrer, this is more the inspiration and hard work of the tough Aussie than it is a dropping Djokovic, who continues to look his part. Ferrer hasn’t had the easiest journey to the quarterfinals, and outlasting an opponent as fit and on his game as Djokovic is nearly impossible.
Prediction: Djokovic in three
What are your predictions?
Until next time
Grand Slam Gal
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