Ricky Dimon of The Grandstand and Joey Hanf of The Tennis Nerds preview and pick three of the men’s singles matches on Monday at the Australian Open. Stan Wawrinka and David Ferrer are among those aiming for spots in the quarterfinals.
(13) Milos Raonic vs. (4) Stan Wawrinka
Ricky: There have not been too many absolute thrillers at the Australian Open. This should be one. Wawrinka won the whole thing in 2014 and has not lost to anyone except Novak Djokovic in Melbourne since 2012. Quite simply he is at his best Down Under. Raonic, meanwhile, is in amazing form to begin 2015. He beat Roger Federer for the Brisbane title and so far this fortnight has not dropped a set in wins over Lucas Pouille, Tommy Robredo, and Viktor Troicki. Something has to give in this one, because Wawrinka has been similarly dominant. The Swiss is sweeping the head-to-head series 4-0, but two contests have been extremely competitive. A high-quality five-setter is likely in store, with a slight edge going to Wawrinka given his history of Melbourne success. Wawrinka 7-6(6), 5-7, 6-4, 6-7(4), 9-7.
Joey: Raonic is playing very well, and he would be the first person to tell you that. On the court AND in interviews the last two weeks, the Canadian has been incredibly confident. He even seems to be returning well, which has always been the big man’s struggle. Wawrinka cruised through the first few rounds and hasn’t even gotten to his best level yet. He’ll need to shift up a gear or two to beat Raonic, which i believe he’ll do. Tiebreakers are imminent, and I still don’t trust the Sleeve’s backhand return in big moments. An epic ‘breaker to finish? Why not? Wawrinka 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-4, 7-6(10).
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(8) David Ferrer vs. (10) John Isner
Ricky: One of Isner’s goals in 2015 was to finish the year in the top 10. The man who prevented him from doing so was Ferrer. Isner came within one set of accomplishing the feat but lost to the Spaniard 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-2 at the Paris Masters, thus keeping Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the 10th spot. This is, for obvious reasons, a bad matchup for the big man. One of the best returners in the game, Ferrer is dominating the head-to-head series 6-1. When he gets Isner’s huge serve back in play, the 33-year-old obviously has a massive edge from the baseline. But Ferrer has underwhelmed so far this season and Isner is arguably playing the best tennis of his career. Expect something similar to Paris, with the underdog putting forth a spartan effort before Ferrer grinds him down. Ferrer 7-6(6), 6-7(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3.
Joey: Big John did incredibly well to come back and beat Lopez in the third round. Midway through the second set, that one looked like it was going to be another Isner slam loss. But he stayed tough and even broke with some regularity against a great server. Ferrer has also been playing extremely well, and his new racket (Babolat Pure Drive) is one of the easiest rackets to generate pace with. He’s used that to good effect, and it’s really helping his forehand. Isner has yet to face a break point in the entire tournament, and he could realistically continue that streak and still lose this match. However, I’m taking the American in a slight upset. Isner 7-6(5), 7-6(4), 7-6(6).
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(16) Bernard Tomic vs. (2) Andy Murray
Ricky: Tomic has done well to reach the fourth round and finish as the last Australian man remaining in the draw. He went on a brief mental vacation in a four-set win over Simone Bolelli on Thursday but turned in a no-nonsense performance against John Millman two days later. The competition, however, gets better–by a heck of a lot. Murray has mostly cruised through three matches and he is almost always at his best in this event. Unless extracurricular factors get in the way (Murray’s wife is due to give birth soon and his wife’s father collapsed while coaching Ana Ivanovic on Saturday), the second-ranked Scot should roll. Murray 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-2.
Joey: Tomic made headlines when he essentially tanked a match in Sydney because he heard that he had a good draw in Melbourne. Well, he did! He has gotten to the fourth round fairly smoothly but hasn’t played much competition in the process. Murray has been extremely efficient in his matches and I think he’s a little better in every aspect in the game, except for the serve. I’ll be generous and give Bernie a set, but if he loses the first this could be one-way traffic. Murray 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3, 6-0.
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Supremely confident Milos doesn’t miss. Nothing he can’t do! All Stan can do is hold serve and get this to a TB, if possible. Even then…not looking good for Stan.
not so fast!
whew! Stan holds 4-4
Wait they just said Stan had a break in the first set too? Cmon man!! On the bright side Stanimal looks better right now. I want him to come back but won’t be able to see it cuz I have school tomorrow so I’ll record it most likely. Stan up 15-40 at 5-5. Cmon lets go Stanislas!!
vamos stan!!
He got it, Benny, the break! Go Stan
So annoyed I have school tomorrow. Looks like we are going to a fourth. ALLEZ STAN!! Serve it out!!
Stan finally woke up. He has found his game. Raonic made a big mistake in letting that shot go past him. Stan at least won the third set. Now can he come back and win another?
he must!!
Unless he has another lapse Stan is winning this match in five. He should’ve kept up this level from the start of the match. This is the Stan I thought would show up today. Not to take credit from Milos though because he has played super well today. But Stan seems primed for the comeback now imo.
first game of the fourth set may have been the difference. Stan could have had it.
Stan coming back to win in 5
now it could be over
shank you very much!
Stanimal points to his head. Raonic is done. ALLEZ STANISLAS!! Now I gotta go to bed. This sux. I’m recording but when I get up tomorrow I’ll probably be too excited to wait to watch it when I get home from school or something or even watch it during lunch at school. I’ll probably get up and just check to see who won. I feel bad for Milos if Stan completes the comeback but I love Stan so ALLEZ. Goodnight everyone and may Stan the Man continue and complete the comeback.
when Stan points to the head, you might as well retire
Exactly.
LOL
Stan is hitting harder now and pushing Raonic back. Now he gets the break in the fourth set. Can he hold on and win it to tie it up?
I am not going to be able to stay up for the end of this one. I have to be up early tomorrow.
I may record it, but still won’t have time to watch it in the morning.
I hope you hear the news that stan won it comfortably in the 5th 😉
I really hope we don’t have a 9-7 or 10-8 type marathon. A 6-3 or 6-4 would be decent.hehe
As I expected Milos was ready with his game to deal with Wawa but would fold mentally! Too bad though, he was much better player for the most of the match and now spreading errors all over the place.
But this Stan isn’t gonna beat Andy let alone Novak…
The Stan from the last two sets can. But not with the lapses he had in the first two.
the stan of the last hour could
break points saved all over
You can see what he is capable of. The firepower. He has the game to take Djokovic down here…
Agree with you VR. Stan has awesome power just like Delpo but he has better fitness and stamina and that’s why he can stay with Novak for five sets and even beat him.
Off topic, rafa is on course for the wooden spoon. Monfils d kuznetsov d sela d verdasco d rafa. Pretty safe bet that monfils would be defeated by winner of this match
Just hope winner of this match goes on to reach the final, which I think he would.
no
why Ricky??If stan wins, I think he will be good enough to reach the final. Ferrer/Murray will be very tough though. Milos, well, I don’t think he will reach the final even if he wins this…
right. That’s why I said no.
ohkay. Just do something to make stan win here!! The tournament needs him badly! :p
Stan could final
Milos over Murray in the semis? I don’t see it.
15-30! :O
Stan would have good chance. Not Milos.
Love Stans BHDTL, he should hit it more often when Raonic expects the CC BH that Stan hit so often.
Two sets all now, great for Stan.
yeah…. I have a feeling this set could be nasty..and Milos looks more energized
Stan has to get himself into drama at the australian open