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.
[polldaddy poll=10217023]
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.
[polldaddy poll=10217025]
Nadal having trouble closing out matches.
you must not watch much of Verdasco!
Well done by Rafa to get that done in straight sets
Yesss!..Straight sets!!….C’mon Rafa!….Wooohoooo!!
Vaaaaamos Rafa!
YES!!! Rafa is in the quarterfinals!
Well done, Rafa!
Beautiful Rafa! Strong, focused and moving very well! So proud of him! Berdych played well this whole tourney and Rafa managed to neutralize all his weapons. Berdy’s serve has deserted him but he was not playing all that bad, it’s Rafa who didn’t let him breathe out there! Nice, competitive third set and for Rafa to find solutions under pressure…
The on court interview with Courier was so much fun!
Great job, Rafa!
Vamos Champ!
Rafa ticked a lot of things. Was real solid this match. Started well, put the foot down real in first two sets. His new serve is awesome. He is not broken in last 3 matches. Thats a very rare part.
Berdych was real good in third set. Saved a break point with awesome volley. Rafa was clutch as well, held serve in crucial moments. Played a great breaker. I think Rafa would be might pleased today. Spent 2 hours only on the court, which is very quick from Rafa’s standards and he was tested as well in the third which should stand him in good stead as well. 4 rounds done, all very quick, building momentum. Plays Tiafoe now, should be able to outsmart him.
Irrespective of AO outcome, Rafa looks to have a great off season. He worked on his serve. He is throwing one two punch more now owing to his result.
It also proves one thing, Rafa needs to rest well before big tourneys, he can work into form in first 2-3 rounds of major tournaments. He should back his instincts and should keep health his first and foremost priority. Rest of the things will fall into place.
Wooohoooo!!! Vamos Rafa! Congrats to him and to all of you who managed to be awake for it. I very sensibly went to bed when the match started and fell asleep but woke up at 2 AM as I knew I would and HAD to go check the score. SO HAPPY!!!
THANK YOU RAFA!
Interesting that the last time Berdy and Rafa met in the AO quarters the score was almost exactly the same, except in Berdy’s favor. Was 6-2, 6-0, 7-6(5). Tennis is very strange.
The 2015 Rafa left the building at the end of 2015.
So happy for Rafa and Tiafoe!! That will be a very entertaining quarterfinal, even if Rafa wins easily.
Let’s hope. Did you see Tiafoe’s face when he was told that it would be Rafa in the quarters? He recovered pretty fast though, already planning his big night match on Laver…
I don’t think it would have come as a complete surprise to Tiafoe.
Rafa tiafoe won’t be night as long as roger is there
True. And I think its better for Rafa to play a day match. Night match starts after ladies and it could be very late… it’s better to play in the sun!
Vamos Champ!
But Roger has gone bye-bye.
Absolutely worth staying up at 4:30 am for.. Tsitsi levels the Fed!
Yep. I woke up just in time. Definitely underestimated Tsitsipas. Appears he easily got the second tie break. Now Stef is serving ahead and he’s going to get a second set if he can break now. Maybe no. Fed is serving well.
Sleep is for the weak! And I am…weak. Roger just saved 2 break points. Looks like it’s going to a 3rd tb. I’m hoping for 5 tb’s, don’t really care who wins so may the ….
And grats to RBA for his win over Cilic! What an iron man!
Yes, grats to RBA. I knew he could do it! If he pushed it to 5.
And same goes for Tsitsipas pushing to 5, maybe. Walking with confidence is Tsitsi.
The Greeks are revved up. I think Tsitsi can win. Frustration has set into the Federer game. Missing everything atm. Goodness me. Tsitsipas in the lead!
“Sleep is for the weak” hahaha I guess so. Time for strong tea here. Tsitsi is conquering hero. I forgot or didn’t realize he was this good so soon.
Whoa! Tsitsi breaks and takes the 3rd set, thanks to a few errors from Fed. Bet Fed is thanking his lucky stars there’s a 5th set TB.
OMG!!! Is he only 21? What temperament. This guy looks to be a world beater in the making..
He’s 20!
I know he can be this good, it’s just that sometimes he throws in some boneheaded shots (he’s still not there yet where shot selections are concern).
Fed is old hence if one can push him hard to go the distance, Fed would leak out errors. I expect a younger Fed to beat this Tsitsipas in straight sets; this older Fed, I don’t know whether he can come back to win in five.
Winning the second set is crucial for Tsitsipas, as he seems to calm down after that and starts raising his level of play.
Oh, he’s 20. Even better.
Fed making cardinal mistake to engage in tye rallies with Tsitsipas! That’s not the type of game Fed is or has ever been comfortable with. Fed should go to the net more often and shortened the points..
However, the kid looks pumped up out there and serving big to save some crucial break points. Unbelievable confidence level from the Greek! Weird though that Fed was unable to convert 12 break points!
Haven’t we seen this unable to convert bp’s from Fed a lot? It seems.
But credit to Tsitsipas. His chest is out, walking tall.
Oh dear I feel bad for Benny. Fed was playing well, I thought, until now. Outplayed by the 21 yr old. Actually that sounds reasonable. 21 vs 37.
It seems Tsitsi has called for the trainer. Looks like Mr 37 is better conditioned actually
Hope it’s not cramps. I think Tsitsi hasn’t played enough 5 setters. Fed is going to be angry, if this mto was for cramps.
Tsitsipas needs to finish this in 4, if possible.
No mto, it’s done during changeover interval.
Fed looking unhappy I must say; crowd making noises when Tsitsipas a bit slow to get back to play when Fed was waiting. I don’t see the necessity for that, they’re simply pro Fed!
Well done Tsitsipas! He has done it!
Tsitsi did it! What a match! Grats to him, condolences to Fed, who played a courageous match.
A STAR is born. Roger drops to 8? in the rankings