Roger Federer will take on Stefanos Tsitsipas for the first time as the defending champion looks for a spot in the Australian Open quarterfinals, while Marin Cilic battles the red-hot Roberto Bautista Agut.
(3) Roger Federer vs. (14) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas, at age 20, is 17 years Roger Federer’s junior. The Greek, one of 2018’s breakout stars, won his first tour event in Stockholm, while Federer is attempting to win his 100th title in Melbourne. This match has the makings of a “changing of the guard” moment–but a lot of things would have to fall into place for Tsitsipas for that to happen.
On a smaller stage, Tsitsipas has proven that he has the nerve required to take out the big guys. He dispatched both Novak Djokovic and Kevin Anderson in Toronto, and he did so with the kind of confidence a future champion needs. But taking on Federer on one of the biggest stages in tennis in a best-of-five match is a different matter.
For his part, Federer has played three tidy matches which he won in straight sets to earn his spot in the round of 16. While he no longer enjoys the air of invincibility he once did, he still goes into most majors as the first or second favorite. He has, in short, done what needs to be done.
Tsitsipas will put up a fight and if Federer fails to serve well, the youngster will pounce. But in the end, it’s hard to imagine that Tsitsipas will have what it takes to take three sets from the Maestro.
Cheryl pick: Federer in 4
Ricky pick: Federer in 4
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(6) Marin Cilic vs. (22) Roberto Bautista Agut
Marin Cilic has proven to be a difficult matchup for Roberto Bautista Agut. This will be their sixth meeting; Cilic leads the head-to-head series 4-1. One spot of good news for the Spaniard is that the match he won was in Melbourne back in 2016, but otherwise it has been all Cilic. The tide may be about to change, however.
Cilic hasn’t looked particularly sharp yet this tournament. He just barely escaped Fernando Verdasco in a five-set battle in the third round and surrendered a set to American Mackenzie McDonald in the second. And while Bautista Agut hasn’t had an easy time of it either, he had a much more difficult trio of opponents in the form of Andy Murray, John Millman, and No. 10 seed Karen Khachanov–and has shown improved form in each round.
If Cilic plays against Bautista Agut the way he did against Verdasco, he will have a miserable time of it on court on Sunday. The Croat will certainly need to improve on the 58 percent first-serve percentage he managed in the third round. Bautista Agut needs only to continue doing what he has been doing the whole fortnight.
Cheryl pick: Bautista Agut in 5
Ricky pick: Bautista Agut in 4
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Fed in 3….but an entertaining 3; and RBA in 4….but Bravo to Cilic for that great comeback win over Verdasco!
Fed 4, RBA 4
both with a lot of confidence (except maybe Fed in 3)
R. Federer in 4 or 3 sets.
R. Bautista to win.
Fed in three Cilic in five
Pretty sure Federer has taken on Tsitsipas before….
Roger in 4
RGB In 3 or 4.
I though Cilic played fine against Verdasco. Fernando played well, just choked at crunch time like you’d expect.
Nope. Zero matches between the two (at least according to the ATP website).
I saw them play in Perth two weeks ago. Hopman cup. Two tiebreak sets going the big dogs way. Unless I was hallucinating in a major way!!
Ah, yes. It’s not an ATP event. It’s treated like an exhibition, and it therefore “doesn’t count” for official record-keeping purposes.
Fed in 4
RBA in 4, maybe. I know he’s a tough guy but not sure how many more long matches he has in him. If it goes 5 I think Cilic will win.
Thinking the young Greek might get a set off Roger (at least; maybe)
Bautista-Agut over Cilic in 5
Im liking what i see of young Tsissy , thinking his tennis is beautiful to watch , think he has a great future , dont think he can beat Roger though ….
Anything could happen. But I think Roger would need to be having a bad day to completely lose to Tsitsipas.
Exactly RC especially over 5 sets cant see it hun
Berdych makes me nervous ….
Berdych has no hope against Nadal worst matchup ever.
definitely not
Nadal-Gasquet is MUCH worse, but I think the worst matchup I’ve ever seen is Fabrice Santoro and Marat Safin. It was almost comical how much Safin hated playing Santoro.
Exciting matchups ,esp. Fed v Tsitsi
Looking like Djoko as a likely finalist, who will come through in the bottom half?
Hope RBA beats Cilic, i felt sorry for Nandos DF on MP, that was a bitter one to swallow ….
He did that against Nadal in 2009. One of the greatest AO matches of all time, and it ended on a DF. Sad, really (though I doubt Rafa would agree with me).
From Rafa’s book “great luck for me, terrible luck for him”. Rafa always sees both sides.
Cilic got the wakeup call he needed, he was flat against Verdasco. Cilic will be on the front foot from the get-go and put RBA under constant pressure which is contrary to his previous matches.
Cilic in 4.
Federer in 4 (probably 3) due to how comfortable Fed is on this surface.
Is there a Match Preview for Nadal vs Berdych?
Nadline – Ricky posted it as an Expert pick
https://tenngrand.com/2019/01/19/australian-open-expert-nadal-berdych-tiafoe/
Thanks, Cheryl.
Tsitsipas v RBA
Flip a coin.
Good win by Tsitsipas. Consistent groundstrokes, big serving, and quality net play. The only thing he really got wrong were the challenges.
I didn’t expect Fed to win this tournament, although I thought his exit might be at the hands of Cilic. Wouldn’t be surprised if that’s his last AO, he just looked a bit slow out there, he was uncharacteristically flat all evening. He had the serve going great early but generally struggled to find the FH.
Tsitsipas now into a QF against RBA. He’s in good form, but has played multiple five setters already. A great chance for a next-gen to set up a semi with (highly likely) Rafa.