The Grandstand’s Ricky Dimon and Hasan Murad preview and pick the best men’s singles matchups on Day 6 of the Australian Open. This is the sixth of 13 installments of expert picks during the season’s first Grand Slam.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. (25) Gael Monfils
Ricky: With Juan Martin Del Potro out of the tournament, this will be Nadal’s toughest test ahead of the quarterfinals and possibly prior to the title match (maybe not if he goes up against Andy Murray in the semis). Monfils is healthy and in rare form at the moment. He reached the Doha final (lost to Nadal in three sets) and has bullied his way past Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock so far in Melbourne. The Frenchman won 86 percent of his first-serve points against Harrison and 84 percent against Sock while facing–and saving–only one break point in two matches. With Monfils serving like this, a competitive, entertaining night session is in store. Nadal, however, conserved energy by making short work of Bernard Tomic and Thanasi Kokkinakis. Fully aware of more dangerous competition on the other side of the net, the world No. 1 will likely raise his level to an even greater height. Nadal 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4.
Hasan: It was almost two weeks ago when Nadal and Monfils competed in the Doha final. Then, the world No. 1 fended off Monfils’ salvo of groundstrokes to inflate his head-to-head series lead to 9-2. This will be just their second match in Grand Slam play after Nadal outshined Monfils 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 in a physical fourth-round battle at the 2009 U.S. Open. Both men have been in superb form of late. Following a virtual walkover in the first round against Tomic, Nadal was very authoritative in a straight-set victory over the promising Kokkinakis. In his two matches so far, Monfils has derailed two young Americans in straight sets. The flamboyant Frenchman is playing consistently well enough to test Nadal, but the top seed looks ready to take on any challenge right now. The Spaniard is effortlessly changing direction with his forehand and with his serve working efficiently, Monfils will be outplayed. Nadal 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
[polldaddy poll=7724298]
(11) Milos Raonic vs. (22) Grigor Dimitrov
Ricky: This has the potential to be a future Grand Slam final matchup. For now it comes in the third round, a stage which Dimitrov has never advanced past in his entire career. Raonic, on the other hand, has accomplished that feat four times–including twice in Australia and also in his last major appearance at the 2013 U.S. Open. It’s hard to see Dimitrov dominating this encounter simply because it is so difficult to break and win routine sets against Raonic, and any competitive match should favor the Canadian. That’s because of his superior ability to win free points at the critical moments and his Grand Slam experience. Raonic 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Hasan: Two of the most promising young players on the tour have split their two previous career meetings. This one will indisputably be their most important to date. The 11th-ranked Raonic did not lose serve in his relatively straightforward 7-6(9), 6-4, 6-4 victory over Victor Hanescu after a shaky four-setter against Daniel Gimeno-Traver in which the Canadian dropped three service games. Comparably, after struggling through his four-set win over American Bradley Klahn in the opening round, Dimitrov put up an outstanding display to dismiss an in-form Yen-Hsun Lu in three entertaining sets. The world No. 22 is the more complete player of the two, but Raonic has the advantage of being very reliable on his serve–especially in tight situations. Dimitrov’s lack of physical fitness might just be the separating factor at the tail end of what promises to be sternly-contested clash. Raonic 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 6-4.
[polldaddy poll=7724301]
(10) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. (18) Gilles Simon
Ricky: Simon is like Tommy Robredo; you can doubt him at your own risk. The guy was not even supposed to show up for the Aussie Open after being relegated to crutches due to a Kooyong Classic ankle injury. Simon has simply laughed in the face of such a notion with two straight five-set stunners–one over Daniel Brands 16-14 and another over Marin Cilic after trailing two sets to one. Tsonga leads the head-to-head series by a modest 5-3, but he has won five of their last six hard-court encounters. The higher-ranked Frenchman is a proven force Down Under, having finished runner-up in 2008 and in addition to three more quarterfinals (including one semifinal). Cooler conditions will help Simon make it competitive, but a more well-rested and confident Tsonga should eventually overpower his countryman. Tsonga 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-3.
Hasan: Simon has defied odds in both of his five-set tussles in the previous two rounds. The intrepid Frenchman saved seven match points against Brands and perhaps more amazingly beat an even better opponent in Cilic. As laudable his heroics have been so far, the Simon’s journey may conclude in his next match when he takes on a compatriot who did not drop a set in his wins over Filippo Volandri and Thomaz Bellucci. Tsonga leads their head-to-head series and is playing solid tennis right now. His attacking game will be too much for an energy-sapped Simon, whose inspirational run will come to an end. Tsonga 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
[polldaddy poll=7724306]
(27) Benoit Paire vs. Roberto Bautista Agut
Ricky: This is not quite reaching Tomas Berdych vs. Kevin Anderson levels (Berdych 9-0), but it will be getting there if Paire loses again. The Frenchman is 0-4 lifetime vs. RBA and 1-8 in total sets. They just faced each other in Auckland and RBA cruised 6-3, 6-4. The question is, however, if this is the dawning of a new Paire. The Frenchman showed uncharacteristic desire and fight to battle back from two sets and a break down against up-and-coming Nick Kyrgios. With the same attitude, Paire would have a chance to capitalize on an opponent coming off an emotional, career-defining win (RBA upset Del Potro in five sets). The thinking here, though, is that a positively on-fire RBA will have too much confidence in both his own game and his ability to beat Paire. Bautista Agut 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(5).
Hasan: For a low-profile player it is onerously difficult to beat a top-five opponent at a Grand Slam, but it is perhaps even more challenging to replicate the high standard in the next match. It will be uncharted territory for Bautista after his blockbuster encounter against Del Potro in the second round. Stupendous shot-making bolstered by impressive fighting spirit allowed the Spaniard to clinch a 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 victory in nearly four hours. Paire’s previous match did not feature a high-profile opponent, but it still oozed drama. The Frenchman bounced back after finding himself two sets down against Krygios. Although the Australian teenager was afflicted with cramping in the final set, Paire did well to battle his own erratic game and stay composed to seal the match 6-7(5), 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. Having beaten Paire comfortably in Auckland last week, Bautisa will like his chances to maintain his perfection in the head-to-head series. Bautista Agut 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(4).
[polldaddy poll=7724303]
who ya got?
The Ronald McDonald Benoit Paire in five against the Baut of Agut.
bold call
If music be the food of love, play on:
“Nadal vs Monfils
Monfils can play like a rockstar, but he hasn’t got a back-up band – and Nadal is all about long solo performances. Nadal in four.”
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2014-01-17/201401171389949097638.html
Thinking the canadian missile will serve his way through, as well as Paire beating Roberto, slight chance he can keep this play up much longer.
he won’t have to keep up that level to beat Paire
substantially less will be sufficient
RBA will have the classic letdown after the big upset win. Paire in four.
Milos’ serve will intermittently go walk about and Dimi will covert. Dimi in four.
Simon will kill one threat to Fed. Simon in five.
LaMonf being LaMonf. Nadal in four (losing the first set in a tiebreak).
Ricky, @vamosrafa, you’re not calling Muzza/Deliciano? I am smelling an upset………
I am doing that in a separate article….
#JudyBowl
In my opinion, Lopez will be a difficult opponent for Murray tomorrow. At least a set will go his way ..
No! 😉 Let’s Go Andy! Let’s Go!
All matches will be interesting. I think rafa will put up a masterclass tomorrow. RBA might suffer from a meltdown but playing paire in the next rnd is just what he needed.
If simon beats tsonga in FIVE ,the world might turn upside down!
I think Rafa will beat Monfils in four sets. Raonic over Dimitrov in four sets.
Tsonga is not losing to Simon. Tsonga in four sets.
There is a risk that RBA could have a letdown after his great win over Delpo. However, it could also go the other way and give him a big boost in this next match. I am going with RBA in four sets.
almost the same picks as mine 🙂 I am the only one calling a 3-set win for rafa ! lol..
as a matter of fact, ‘nadal in 3’ has received the highest votes so far !! vamoss! haha
Ricky, in you Tsonga-Simon pick’s second last line, it should be ‘well-rested’…
vamosrafa,
I went back and forth between three sets and four sets. You may well be right, but since Rafa hasn’t been tested yet I thought that Monfils might get a set off him.
It’s not like I am doing that great with my picks so far.. 🙂
Oh well, it’s all in fun.
I did see when I voted that ‘Nadal in 3’ received the highest votes.
Oh and I noticed the typo in Ricky’s prediction for Tsonga-Simon. I will be shocked if Tsonga doesn’t make it through. But you never know.
wrested HAHAHAHAHAHHA
LOL :p
It’s going to be a very late night for me. Rafa is the second night match. So the women’s night match starts at midnight my time and then it’s Rafa. But I don’t want to miss this one. I can always sleep in tomorrow since it’s Saturday.
^^Yep, NNY7. It’ll be at least 2 am, give or take, when his match starts. If the Azarenka-Meusburger match goes 3 sets, it’ll be even later. Last night, Novak’s match had the same time slot and it started after 3 am I think. I kept falling asleep and missed a lot of it. I won’t be falling asleep during Rafa’s match. There’ll be a lot of good matches to keep us awake before that. I’m looking forward to Roger’s match, and I want to see the Andy vs Feli match. Dimitrov vs Raonic should be entertaining, too.
Jpacnw,
Yes, I am thinking along the same lines as you regarding the start time for Rafa’s match. But I am not going to miss this one!
I also agree that there have been some great matches to keep us awake and watching!
I got to see a good part of Andy vs. Feli, then the latter part of Dimitrov/Raonic. Sharapova just won her match. Now it’s Azarenka. I will be hoping for two sets, but prepared for three.
Judy Bowl preview (and also Young vs. Nishi) – https://tenngrand.com/2014/01/17/australian-open-r3-previews-and-picks-murray-vs-lopez-nishikori-vs-young/
Judy Bowl, I like that. I had that matchup on my radar since the draw came out. I hope Monfils can make tonight’s match exciting. I’m going to have to stay up almost all night to watch it, so I need it to live up to expectations. Dimitrov and Raonic will be fun, but I can’t see this matchup ever being a grand slam final. If it ever happens, it would be at Wimbledon. Raonic’s serve and Dimitrov’s variety both make them excellent grass court players.
Gabashvili doesn’t have much of a serve. This should end in straight sets for Roger.
he has a bizarre serve
first set to Dimitrov
Quite an accomplishment for Stephane Robert, lucky loser, to make it through to the round of 16. And he’s 33 years old!
Top 20 reasons why Anderson will beat Berdych – https://tenngrand.com/2014/01/18/top-20-reasons-why-anderson-will-beat-berdych/
It’ll be interesting to see if Bautista-Agut can keep his level of play up against Dimitrov. Some of these match-ups sure aren’t turning out how I thought they would.
Dimitrov-Raonic was very good.
i am undecided on RBA vs. Dimitrov.
I don’t like to see dimitrov in rafa’s way!
I fancy Dimitrov against RBA. I think RBA finally comes down to earth and Dimi looked quite composed routing Raonic.
I watched the last part of Dimitrov vs. Raonic match. Dimitrov is good though he choked on so many match points. He deserves the win. He has much more an all-around game than Raonic. I won’t worry about him in Rafa’s way until they get to that point.
Hawkeye, congrats to your prediction. I think you’re the only one who picked Dimitrov.
Thanks yes it pretty much went as I thought. Dimitrov was very impressive. Mentay very strong, impressive serving, ROS and point construction and simply just more consistent than Milos.
Milos only served 59% and had 49 UFE. He has improved his game but still much room for additional improvement. He will get there.
I thought RBA would have a let down. Dimi will beat him if he can keep his amazing level.
My Simon pick doesn’t count as it was an antijimx! Allez Ali!!!
Rafa was simply amazing.
RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “I think we may have a new lady star on our hands, as opposed to a rock on a finger. Take a bow Garbine Muguruza”
#PoisonPen
Muguruza is great! Nice to see a Spanish woman emerging. SI actually picked her yesterday.
Why #PoisonPen?
My hashtag poisopen is a reference to Neil’s “rock on a finger” gag, an obvious reference to Woz’s recent engagement and large ring she now sports to advertise the fact. I knew some people would not “get” the humour in that line and criticize him for it and sure enough, the critics have circled:
RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “Sometimes in this Twitter lark, you think you have written something funny and it doesn’t come out that way.”
I find it sad because Neil is not at all nasty, it’s just that some people do not get his Brit sense of humour.
Neil shoulda gone with, “Caro caught between a rock and a hard place”. (add emoticon as desired).
what did he say?
oh i see it now
#NeilFail
Ricky Dimon says:
January 18, 2014 at 7:30 am
Nel’s tweet read: ““I think we may have a new lady star on our hands, as opposed to a rock on a finger. Take a bow Garbine Muguruza”
Looks like Andy’s going to be wrapping this up in straight sets.
He started off sluggish and then improved his movement……….made the difference.
Worth getting up early to see Andy demolish Lopez. Come on!
Some cracking matches coming up.
#SuperSaturday
clinical from Muzz
(after the first service game)
Oh, get a sense of humour Ricky………..
#PoliticalCorrectnessGoneMad
#NoHarmanNoFoul
Hahahahaha! Good one. Got me rolling on the floor there………….
Tell it to Mr. Harman…….