Neither one of the top-eight seeds advanced to the quarterfinals in the first section of the Australian Open draw, but a familiar face will be there on Tuesday. Roger Federer is set to face Mischa Zverev, who upset Andy Murray in round four.
When the Australian Open draw was revealed, it looked as though Roger Federer would have to beat Tomas Berdych, Kei Nishikori, and Andy Murray just to reach the semifinals. Federer successfully went through Berdych and Nishikori, but it’s not Murray who awaits on Tuesday.
Instead, Federer and Mischa Zverev will be squaring off for the third time in their careers when quarterfinal action begins on Tuesday in Melbourne. Federer leads the head-to-head series 2-0, but the good news for Zverev is that mathematically it cannot get any worse. The German lost their most recent meeting 6-0, 6-0 on the grass courts of Halle in 2013, a result that was preceded by a 7-6(3), 6-2 win for Federer on the red clay of Rome in 2009.
Zverev could get triple-bageled in this one and it would still go down as the best tournament of his injury-plagued career. The 29-year-old used a rare clean bill of health last season to qualify for tournament after tournament and it is only full steam ahead for him in 2017. Zverev began his fortnight with defeats of Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, John Isner (came back from two sets down and saved two match points), and Malek Jaziri before stunning world No. 1 Andy Murray 7-5, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday.
Federer also had to survive one five-setter on his way to the last eight, which he successfully did against Kei Nishikori in the fourth round. The 35-year-old Swiss also boasts more routine victories over Jurgen Melzer, Noah Rubin, and Berdych. Thus it has been an encouraging comeback in 2017 for Federer, who warmed up for the season’s first Grand Slam by going 2-1 in singles at the Hopman Cup–losing only to the younger Zverev brother, Alexander, in a third-set tiebreaker.
“Playing Roger will be like a dream to me,” the older Zverev said in his on-court interview after upsetting Murray. “Growing up I was inspired (by) him. He’s my favorite player.”
It is the world No. 50’s favorite player who will likely end his incredible run in Melbourne. Federer was dominant in their previous encounters–albeit several years ago–and is no stranger to facing left-handers, having gone up against Rafael Nadal 34 times in his career. Like his countryman Stan Wawrinka, Federer consistently gets better in better with each passing round at slams. Zverev, on the other hand, may have used up all reserves in both the physical and mental tanks.
Pick: Federer in 3
[polldaddy poll=9644033]
who ya got?
I believe that Zverev can get a set here, Federer in 4
definitely possible
i thought about Fed in 4 instead of 3, but think Fed will pull out a couple of competitive sets. At least 1 breaker.
I think unlikely to reach a breaker. Fed will lose no more than 10 games in 3 sets.
Fed in three. Mischa will be in awe with Fed; Fed is not Murray, plays differently and will deal with Mischa’s S&V more effectively than Murray did.
Agreed but Zverev is playing against his hero, and after beating Murray I believe Zverev is going to atleast win a set, Federer doesn’t mind giving up a set in the process.
Mischa zverev over R. Federer in 4 or 5 sets.
S. Wawrinka over jo-wilfred tsonga in 5 sets.
G. Dimitrov over D. Goffin in 4 sets.
Rafael nadal vs milos raonic over 41.5 games. Hard to decide, nadal is in a good form & milos raonic is a good server but i don’t want to bet against r. nadal. The game ends btw 4-5 sets so over 41.5 games is my best pick.
U should bet on Zverev over Federer that’s smart
Fed over Zverev in three
Fed over zverev in 3 losing 11 games
Yes mischa zverev would defeat roger federer the odd is at 6.02 am putting 300 bucks, i know that’s risky but am encouraged by M. Zverev performances.
How many sets do you guys think R. nadal & M. raonic would produce? I know is not 3 so what’s your pick.
I was being sarcastic lol I definitely wouldn’t bet on Zverev. But if you insist go ahead. I wouldn’t recommend it though.
Stanley should go for it! you never know….
Especially since I’m picking Federer in 4. Zev Major will wobble – this is his childhood idol. But playing the idol might go the opposite way around! Mischa has been incredible.
4
Fed in 4. I’m giving him his “hiccup”. 🙂
All the hype about #NextGen, but it’s #LastGen that’s been making the upsets. Two unheralded 30 yo’s knocking out the top seeds. Who’d a thunk? The youngest guy in the quarters is Dimi at 25.
Interesting fact: Serena Williams is the shortest player left in the women’s draw.
Don’t forget that Raonic’s ex-coach is Rafa’s current coach 😉
Thanks ratcliff my darling! Thanks ricky.
Benny G i know u were being sarcastic lol! And i also know is a risky bet, am also betting the over 33.5 at 2.07 with a few other games to recover my money & also make a profit in case it doesn’t work out that’s how i roll.
Ricky you picked 4 sets who then wins.
WTA-(1) Venus williams vs A. Pavlyuchenkova.
(2) Coco Vandeweghe vs G. Muguruza what’s ur pick.
If i can get an answer in less than 30 minutes i would appreciate it.
#Norisknoreward
Well Stanley
About Vee or Pavs: Odds are too close and I see it as a coin flip. Pavs fitness isn’t her best (she looks a bit heavy and slow), but she’s been lucky and she gets easy points if she’s having a good serving day. Venus looks slow too for different reasons – and also has that long reach, forehand and serve. They have not met since 2014. h2h 3-2 Venus. I’d guess Venus in 3 but imo it’s dicey.
Happened to be in the process of looking up Mugu v Coco. Odds favor Mugu of course but wow Coco looked heavy and slow like Pavs does now 6 months ago but Coco looks fit — I’m very proud of her. She always had the attitude but looked like …not putting the hard yards in. She’s changed that.
Garbine should win but she’s too inconsistent – I wouldn’t gamble on her. I lean toward Coco getting the upset in 3. Gosh do not take my word for it even if WTA is my passion. WTA is WTA…
I’m not even sure about Serena in her QF. I was about to post all this on the WTA page.
Ratcliff i would take your word 4 it. If i lose am calling 911 to arrest u, you know am close with the president.
Fed will win in 3. He’ll handle that serve-and-volley game.
@ratcliff what is the link to the WTA page? Thanks!
Gladly josh! https://tenngrand.com/social/wta/
It’s under Social on the drop down menu
Great run for Misha but this will be it! I really can’t see how Misha could take a set from Fed but if he did he would stop right there. It would be enough of accomplishment for Zverev to get a set from his hero! I did not see the match with Murray though…I was more than certain Andy would win and did not bother staying up.,,
Fed in 3
Dimi in 5
Wawa in 4
Ratcliff I picked Venus Williams & Anastasia pavlyuchenkova to end in 3 sets at 2.27 odd, if i was to pick a winner I would go with A. Pavlyuchenkova but I don’t want to underestimate v. Williams.
I also picked coco vandeweghe to defeat G. Muguruza at 2.43, she is the hot underdog but I think she will win. V. Williams match has just started.
#wishmeluck
Fed looks like not playing at full force and yet that’s enough to deal with the same Zverev that took out Murray. It’s just ridiculous how easily the half force Fed hit his passing shots past Zverev at the net so often when Zverev wasn’t even moving to block the ball.
Zverev far too respectful of Fed, in awe with him, or he has already spent all his energy dealing with Murray that he’s flat out of gas now?