Day eight of the Australian Open sees the final four fourth round matches completed. The tennis review previews and predicts what will happen at the year’s first Grand Slam tomorrow.
Kei Nishikori (5) Vs David Ferrer (9)
Head to head: 6-3
Kei Nishikori is a favorite at the event and for good reasons- he has the momentum going his way, and the talent, skills, experience and support (Michael Chang is his coach) to go all the way in Melbourne.
Nishikori is the complete package and it is a case of when he wins his first slam, not if.
Ferrer matches up well with Nishikori, but has a history of letting leads slip against him. He did though have a comprehensive win over him in Melbourne in 2013.
Nishikori has been getting off to slow starts at this Australian Open, and Ferrer will capitalize on that. However, as has happened in many of their clashes, Nishikori’s greater aggression and shot-making skills will make the difference.
Prediction: Nishikori to win in four.
Novak Djokovic (1) Vs Gilles Muller
Head to head: 0-0
Djokovic has said he won’t underestimate Muller, and he has good reason. The world No. 1 is vulnerable to big servers, and few come bigger than Muller. The lefty serve will also be on the attack and will not give Djokovic any rhythm on the baseline.
Muller will give Djokovic a target at the net, though, and if his first serve is at all off, Djokovic will be waiting with the game’s best return to take advantage.
Djokovic cruised through his first couple of rounds and was tested by Verdasco in the third round, while Muller has upset Bautista-Agut and Isner on his way to the fourth round. That should mean Muller will be ready for the challenge, but only one man, Wawrinka, has been able to beat Djokovic in Melbourne over the last five years, and the Serbian has too many weapons, and too much confidence on plexi-cushion to be anything but rattled by Muller.
Prediction: Djokovic to win in straight sets.
Milos Raonic (8) Vs Feliciano Lopez (12)
Head to head: 2-2
Raonic made great improvements in the off season, losing 12 pounds, and it certainly showed in his footwork in Brisbane and his three wins so far in Melbourne.
The Canadian keeps improving and has the momentum to reach his projected seeded position in the draw against top seeded Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
Lopez, who is playing some of his best tennis at the age of 33 and at a career high ranking of 14, will be a tricky opponent.
The Spaniard upset Raonic at last year’s Canadian Open in three tough sets.
The match will most likely be decided on tiebreaks and Raonic, who has the stronger serve, should have an edge. This match will probably come down to the tiniest of margins, and Raonic, who is the more complete player, particularly at the back of the court, an area he is much improved in the last year, should prevail over a best of five sets match.
Prediction: Raonic to win in four close sets.
Stan Wawrinka (4) Vs Guillermo Garcia Lopez
Head to head: Wawrinka leads 4-3.
At Roland Garros last year. Wawrinka’s slump began with his defeat to Garcia-Lopez in the first round. Now, just emerging from that slump late last season at the WTF, Wawrinka has the form to avenge that defeat.
Garcia-Lopez is through to only his second fourth round of a Major in 42 starts. The Spaniard has wins over Murray and Nadal on hard courts and has enough experience and hard court skills to trouble the Swiss.
However, Wawrinka thrives on plexi-cushion and has too much variety and experience for the 31 year old unseeded player.
Prediction: Wawrinka to win in five, his first test of the season.
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