Australian Open expert picks continue with Day 7, when Rafael Nadal continues his fortnight against familiar foe Tomas Berdych. The Grandstand’s Ricky Dimon and Pete Ziebron of Tennis Acumen preview the action and make their predictions.
Tomas Berdych vs. (2) Rafael Nadal
Ricky: The eye test would suggest that Berdych is the prototypical player who would consistently give Nadal all kinds of trouble. He is a huge ball-striker who serves big, hits everything hard and flat, and can combat the Spaniard’s heavy topspin with both his height and his two-handed backhand. Unfortunately for Berdych, reality is much, much different. He is 4-19 lifetime in the head-to-head series and a shocking 1-18 in their last 19 meetings. Additional bad news for the Czech is that Nadal no longer looks vulnerable like he did heading into the tournament. The world No. 2 has bludgeoned three straight Aussie opponents–including Alex de Minaur–all in straight sets. Berdych is in outstanding form, too, but he hasn’t faced anyone like Nadal during his comeback from a back injury. Nadal in 4: 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-2.
Pete: Berdych has reached the quarterfinalist in seven of his last eight Australian Open appearances, including back-to-back semifinal berths four and five years ago. Absent for the second half of last season, it was somewhat of a mystery of what to expect from the Czech to begin 2019. Similarly, it also seemed like a possibility that Nadal might not be able to play his best this year in Melbourne. Through three rounds, both players have combined to lose one set and Berdych has dispatched two seeded players to boot. Despite four trips to the final, Nadal has managed to win the AO only once, 10 years ago. Early results indicate that he is a serious contender this time around and Berdych will be his toughest test so far this fortnight. Despite the fact that they have played 23 times, these seasoned veterans last met more than 40 months ago. All four of Berdych’s wins in the series have come on hard courts, but this fact will mean little as Nadal continues his fine form and advances to the quarterfinals. Nadal in 4: 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-4, 7-5.
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France Tiafoe vs. (20) Grigor Dimitrov
Ricky: There is no longer any doubt in my mind that Tiafoe is the real deal. He was awesome against Kevin Anderson in round two and found that same form just in time to win the last two sets against Andreas Seppi for the first five-set win of his career. Perhaps even more impressive is Tiafoe’s mentality and determination that has been on display en route to his first “second week” appearance at a slam. He will need all of that and more against Dimitrov, who is once again playing his best tennis Down Under. In any other setting I might lean toward the American, but the Bulgarian is a proven force in Melbourne–and everywhere else in Australia, for that matter. Dimitrov survived their only previous encounter 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(4) last summer in Toronto and another thriller should be in the cards. Dimitrov in 5: 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3.
Pete: Dimitrov has played well Down Under the last two years, reaching the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. Two years ago he won 14 of his first 15 matches plus two titles and was arguably the hottest player on tour for the first month and a half. The Bulgarian has tended to play his best tennis to begin the year and despite a few less than stellar performances this season, he finds himself in the fourth round. Tiafoe had just five wins in 11 major appearances when he arrived in Melbourne. His second-round upset of Anderson and come-from-behind win over Seppi in the third round have propelled the young American into unchartered territory on the on of the biggest stages in tennis. Tiafoe will bring his fearless brand of tennis to the court once again in hopes of parlaying this run into the quarters but it will fall a bit short this time against the more experienced Dimitrov. Dimitrov in 5: 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-3.
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