Fellow Swiss stars Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer will be back in action at the Australian Open on Wednesday after surviving tough first-round contests. They are now going up against Steve Johnson and Noah Rubin, respectively.
(4) Stan Wawrinka vs. Steve Johnson
Wawrinka and Johnson will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they meet again in round two of the Australian Open on Wednesday. Their only previous encounter came two years ago at Roland Garros, where Wawrinka cruised 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. A hard court should be far more advantageous for Johnson, who is coming off a semifinal performance in Auckland and an easy first-round win over Federico Delbonis. The 30th-ranked American is bidding for a third consecutive trip to the last 32 in Melbourne.
Whereas Johnson has been solid but unspectacular Down Under, few players are as good as Wawrinka at this particular Grand Slam. The fourth-ranked Swiss reached the quarterfinals in 2011, won it in 2014, and advanced to the semis in 2015. He has lost prior to the last 16 only once in his last six appearances. That being said, Wawrinka has been thoroughly underwhelming since triumphing at the U.S. Open last summer. He lost in the Brisbane semifinals to Kei Nishikori and just barely scraped past Martin Klizan 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 on Monday. Wawrinka should treat that as a wake-up call and turn in a cleaner performance against Johnson, but it won’t be easy.
Pick: Wawrinka in 4
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(Q) Noah Rubin vs. (17) Roger Federer
Federer did not have as difficult of a time as his fellow Swiss on Monday night, but–as many expected–it also wasn’t a straightforward affair in his first official match since Wimbledon last summer. The 35-year-old, who is coming back from a knee injury, defeated Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Overall, Federer has four matches under his belt this season; he compiled a 2-1 record in singles at the Hopman Cup.
Up next for the four-time Australian Open champion on Wednesday is a first-ever meeting with Rubin. The 20-year-old American, whom Federer has admitted to know almost nothing about, picked up his third career ATP-level victory–and second at the Aussie Open–by outlasting compatriot Bjorn Fratangelo 6-7(4), 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in round one. The former Wake Forest University standout will use his effective defense and counter-punching to make Federer work, but he lacks the firepower necessary to make this more than a warmup session for the former world No. 1 in advance of a possible third-round showdown against Tomas Berdych.
Pick: Federer in 3 losing 11-14 games
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who ya got?
Fed in three losing 8-10 games and stanimal in four
Another punch bag for Thr Maestro to further polish his elegant art form. Such a thing of beauty and class.
Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.
I didn’t realize that Stan had to battle it out in a five set match until I saw some highlights on the tennis channel today. I also saw the moment when he hit a volley directly at Klizan. That was scary! Fortunately, it hit his racket so he was okay.
Stan will need to play better against Johnson. If he does not, then this could be another tough match. But Stan should get it done in 4 sets.
Fed could make a route of this or maybe he will only lose 8-10 games. I don’t know his opponent so it’s hard for me the judge except by reading really Ricky’s analysis.
Fed got a nice workout with Melzer and that should have helped him to work off some of the rust. He should be sharper and ready for this one.
In Aus, I would automatically just go Stanimal, regardless of how he has been playing. I do think he will play much better than he did against Klizan, who actually didnt play bad at all… would never have said watching that match that he has been on such a losing streak
Fed vs Rubin… Dont even wanna say it, but dont see him losing more than 8 games at all
Melzer was once raked number 8 in the world, in 2010 he beat Novak at RG after being two sets to love down, he might not be the player he was, but still a seasoned veteran of the tour, and he has beaten Federer a couple of times before, so hes not exactly a nobody, and im not a Federer fan so have no axe to grind ….
Said the one who claimed 17 is all that matters and Roger is GOAT.
#ImWithGilles
Sorry HE im sure your a nice lady, but with everyone of your posts i get even more confused, GOAT is one caveat of tennis i dont care about, and with Giles on what ? ….
STEVIE JOHNSON TO WIN!!!! Stans off
Fast courts 😉
Stan in 3 and Fed cruises in 3.
Rubin is playing so well. Man has he improved his game over the off season. He is slapping his serve, cracking his groundies, and staying solid. Good stuff so far. Roger playing solid enough at the moment.
No cruising for Fed so far!
Stan gets it done easy. Allez!!
Now let’s see if Fed can survive Berdych. 50-50 it is