The Grandstand weighs in with its picks for the best Sunday matchups at the Australian Open
(2) Roger Federer vs. (13) Milos Raonic
Ricky: None of their three previous encounters has disappointed. Will this one live up the billing? Raonic clearly has the game to make it competitive once again, as he has won nine consecutive sets since dropping his opener on Tuesday against Jan Hajek. It’s safe to say, however, that the big-serving Canadian is not catching Federer at the right time. The second-ranked Swiss turned back Bernard Tomic’s best shot in straight sets and even when Nikolay Davydenko was playing well during the first few games in round two, the Russian was still getting taken to the woodshed. Federer 7-6(4), 7-6(6), 6-4.
Rachel (@TheSportBird): Roger and Milos had three meetings in 2012 and each time they went the distance. Yet they have never met at a slam, which is where Fed tends to shine the brightest. At this Australian Open, both are express trains chugging through the lower rounds. However, Milos did stumble a bit in the first round with Hajek, which was a bit baffling. This is Roger’s first opponent that will be more than a glorified hitting partner. Milos might even take a set, especially considering the confidence he’s projecting to the media. But Roger will prevail, especially now that Tomic is picking him to win it all. Who wouldn’t flourish with that kind of support? Federer 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(5).
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(7) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. (9) Richard Gasquet
Ricky: Federer-Raonic should not be the only high-quality showdown on Sunday. Head-to-head meetings between countrymen do not often deliver the goods, but this all-French affair may be an aberration to that rule. Tsonga, who put in the necessary hard work during the offseason and is in the best shape of his career, has not dropped a set in Melbourne. For Gasquet, it has been full steam ahead for him since capturing the Doha title earlier this month. The world No. 10 surrendered just one set to Jan Hajek en route to this point. Because of Tsonga’s superior firepower that can earn free points on serve and allow him to force forehand-to-forehand rallies, he has a slight edge. Tsonga 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
Rachel: This is one of the most even matchups I’ve seen so far. These are a couple of Frenchman who couldn’t have more different physiques. It’s Muhammad Ali vs. the guy next door. They’re both good, seasoned players and they tend to go at least this far in slams. They’re second-tier players as neither one has ever won a major, but both have reached (and remain in) the Top 10. They have an even H2H on hards, but I give the edge to Tsonga because…just look at him. Plus he’s been a bit more reliable in recent years. Tsonga 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5).
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(3) Andy Murray vs. (14) Gilles Simon
Ricky: One is two days removed from the infamous Gilles Simon vs. Gael Monfils match. The other is Murray. That’s all you really need to know heading into what is an incredibly lopsided matchup on paper. As if that isn’t enough, Murray is dominating their head-to-head series 9-1 and has won nine in a row over Simon. The Frenchman would do well merely to see this match through to its conclusion. Murray 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.
(21) Andreas Seppi vs. Jeremy Chardy
Ricky: As they, better late than never…. Seppi enjoyed a breakout 2012 campaign as a 28-year-old (he will turn 29 next month), making an epic run at home to the Rome quarterfinals before taking Novak Djokovic to five sets in the French Open. The Italian is showing no sings of slowing down, as he reached the Sydney semifinals then upset Marin Cilic in a five-setter on Saturday. Chardy scored an even bigger win, stunning Juan Martin Del Potro in five sets. It will be tough to follow up such a titanic win, especially since the Frenchman picked up an apparent knee injury in doubles on Sunday. Seppi 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3.
Rachel: First off, how the heck did Chardy get this far? How did he beat Del Potro? It’s absurd! The guy can’t possibly have anything left in his gas tank. Chardy will be coming off some momentum so he’ll give it a real go in the beginning and then quickly blow his wad. Seppi would win even if Chardy was rested, and it would be a bit of an interesting match. But this will start at a high point and then quickly fall off. Seppi 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
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