Australian Open Day 6 picks, including Ferrer vs. Johnson and Isner vs. Lopez

Ricky Dimon of The Grandstand and Steen Kirby of Tennis Atlantic preview and pick the four best men’s singles matches on Saturday at the Australian Open. Fellow Americans Steve Johnson and John Isner are both going up against Spaniards in the third round.

(8) David Ferrer vs. (31) Steve Johnson

Ricky: Neither one of these guys looked particularly interested in Auckland. Johnson lost to someone named Matthew Barton in the first round (he would have played Ferrer the next day if he had won), while the Spaniard got blown off the court by Jack Sock in the semis. But both clearly mean business in Melbourne. Johnson has thoroughly trounced Aljaz Bedene and Thomaz Bellucci. Ferrer destroyed Peter Gojowyczk then ended Lleyton Hewitt’s career. With both players confident, another fun one on the heels of their 2015 Vienna final should be in store. Last fall, Ferrer lifted the trophy at that aforementioned event by prevailing 7-5 in the third. Johnson will dip in and out of brilliance, while Ferrer will remain too consistent all the way through. Ferrer 6-2, 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-2.

Steen: Ferrer was a question mark going into Melbourne, but through two matches I don’t see any causes for concern for the Spanish veteran. Likewise, Johnson breezed through the first two rounds, and took a set off of Ferrer in the Vienna final last year. Ferrer should be able to wear Johnson down on the backhand side with a more well-rounded game, so Johnson would be lucky to grab a set. Ferrer 6-4, 7-6, 6-3.

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(18) Feliciano Lopez vs. (10) John Isner

Ricky: Very typical things happen when these two big servers go head-to-head on a tennis court. Their only previous Australian Open showdown went to five sets (won by Lopez in 2012). They had a four-setter at Wimbledon feature three tiebreakers (won by Lopez in 2014). A 2015 Queen’s Club encounter saw every set go to a ‘breaker (Isner won that time). When the two veterans collided Down Under, Isner was coming off a five-set marathon against David Nalbandian. This time it is Lopez who just played a ridiculous five-setter against Guido Pella in which they contested the maximum number of tiebreakers (four). Isner, on the other hand, completely dismantled Jerzy Janowicz and Marcel Granollers in rounds one and two. Isner 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 6-4.

Steen: Lopez has won the previous two-hard court meetings but the fatigue factor gives Isner the edge in this close matchup, which predicated on quality serving and sure to feature tiebreakers. Isner comfortably moved past Jerzy Janowicz and Marcel Granollers without dropping a set,while Lopez lost two ‘breakers against Pella and had to win in five. Isner should be the Spaniard’s downfall. Isner 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6.

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Lukas Rosol vs. (4) Stan Wawrinka

Ricky: Rosol is one of those guys who is borderline unplayable when he gets hot. It just rarely happens. The Czech was able to tee off on Jack Sock in the second round, but Sock has been ill and was not his usual self. Wawrinka, of course, will not let Rosol play so much offense. The fourth-ranked Swiss won this title in 2014 and has not lost to anyone other than Novak Djokovic in Melbourne since 2012. He is probably too good for Rosol anywhere–but he definitely is at this tournament. Wawrinka 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-3.

Steen: Rosol scored a big win over Sock in round two, and his power can trouble even high-quality opponents when he’s in form. Wawrinka has looked fantastic, though, through two matches and he’s proven himself capable of perhaps snatching another title Down Under. Thus I don’t expect the Czech to trip him up so early. Wawrinka 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

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(13) Milos Raonic vs. (21) Viktor Troicki

Ricky: Both players have been on fire this season. But neither one has been in peak form through two rounds of the Aussie. Raonic, who beat Roger Federer for the Brisbane title, got the job done against Tommy Robredo on Thursday but did not break serve until late in the third set. Troicki, who won an epic Sydney final against Grigor Dimitrov, needed five sets to beat Daniel Munoz De La Nava and three tight ones against Tim Smyczek. Raonic is more likely to raise his level for this one, as Troicki’s fuel tank will be running on low. Raonic 6-4, 7-6(6), 7-6(3).

Steen: The clutch, gutsy play of Troicki, and a win last year over Raonic, should give the Serb some early hope in this matchup. He’s already survived going two sets down in round one and he’s 7-1 to start the season. Raonic is 6-0, though, and has pummeled his first two opponents with great serving. Both guys are in outstanding form and I expect high-quality tennis, but Raonic should have too much for Troicki. Raonic 7-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4.

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