Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem are set to square off in the Brisbane semifinals on Saturday. The winner will go up against either Milos Raonic or Bernard Tomic for the title.
(1) Roger Federer vs. (8) Dominic Thiem
Federer’s title defense is still alive heading into the weekend at the Brisbane International, but not before a quarterfinal scare. In a rematch of a 2015 semifinal, Federer held off Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4 on Friday. That was preceded by an opening 6-2, 6-1 beatdown of Tobias Kamke engineered by the 34-year-old Swiss. Federer is ultimately aiming for his second consecutive title at this event and third final in as many appearances.
Up next for the top seed is a first-ever meeting with Thiem. The 20th-ranked Austrian has punched his ticket to the last four with victories over James Duckworth, Denis Kudla, and Marin Cilic–two of which required three sets (vs. Duckworth and Cilic). At just 22 years old, Thiem is already in the top 20 and can be expected to stay there for perhaps the next decade. Like many others, though, he has struggled against the very best in the world (0-4 combined against Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal). But this one should be competitive because over his last two matches, Thiem is serving close to 70 percent with 13 aces and one double-fault.
Pick: Federer in 2 with at least 1 tiebreaker
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(4) Milos Raonic vs. (7) Bernard Tomic
Raonic and Tomic will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers on Saturday. Their only previous encounter came two seasons ago in Tokyo, where Raonic prevailed 7-6(3), 6-3. The 14th-ranked Canadian struggled through an injury-plagued 2015 but he has powered his way into the Brisbane semis. He has been broken only once in defeats of Ivan Dodig (6-4 in the third) and Lucas Pouille (6-4, 6-4).
Tomic is coming off an outstanding win over Kei Nishikori, whom he upset 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 during quarterfinal action on Thursday afternoon. The seventh-seeded Australian previously took out Nicolas Mahut and Radek Stepanek–the latter in a third-set tiebreaker. This, of course, will not be the kind of baseline battle that ensued between Tomic and Nishikori. It will more resemble the shorter points that were on display when the world No. 18 went up against Stepanek and barely survived. Raonic, who won 27 of 29 first-serve points against Pouille, may have too much firepower.
Pick: Raonic in 2
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What scare-he had the first set, lost a t/b BROKE IN THE 3RD-Usual Bloggers sensationalism. Dont reply with more c**. oh and Roger is ill-we see AM massaging his parts and whining and angst in the blogs but ‘Roger badly hit by flu’ not said by anyone
he won 6-4 in the 3rd
how is that not a scare?
Roger in 2 with no breakers and Tomic in 3
I’ll go with Fed in 2 and no tiebreaks…I don’t think the kid has enough experience to deal with an “old fox” (and I mean this in a positive way for Maestro)
Hope Milos wins…in fact, both of them come from ex Yugoslavia (Tomic being of Croatian origin and Milos is my fellow countryman 🙂 ) therefore, either one of them winning I am fine with it…but this time around I think Milos has stronger chance for the win, although I expect it to go to 3 sets…
Agree with Natashao. Thiem is another: I’ll believe it when I see it v Fed. Fed in 2.
Raonic in 3.
Fed in two and the tank engine in three.
No tiebreaks for fed BTW.
Nothing much to separate these two… enjoying this contest so far – Milos v Tank Engine 🙂 Happy to see both playing great tennis. Don’t care which one wins. It’s on Tennis Channel, thank you very much!
Double header – Federer v Thiem next 😀
ratcliff,
What is on the tennis channel? A mens tennis match? I can’t tell from the program guide.
Yep, NNY. Raonic v Tomic. It’s interesting! Fed v Team Thiem up after this.
ratcliff,
Okay thanks! I am turning it on!
Allez Bernie!! #GoAussies
Hey Benny – if Milos wins this TB, I’ll be full-on cheering for Atomic! Can’t get enough of this…
set Raonic
Yeah…I’m afraid Bernie’s going to give up now that Raonic got that set. Come on, fight kidd-o!
Gulbis lost to Sarkissian (?) in Sydney qualies for gosh sakes.
I knew he’d lose to sarkissian. Sarkissian is an American who has been on the rise somewhat and gulbis is gulbis. Also we got the match we were looking for between these guys. Some really good tennis. And that return from Bernie at 30-0 was insane.
Ahh, it’s over. Milos wins. Good luck in the final! He’s very articulate and intellectual in the interview 🙂
Had not heard of Sarkissian. thanks, Benny.
when is Hopman final?
They will show the Hopman cup final I’m pretty sure. Like in a couple hours I would guess.
The Hopman cup final is in a little over and hour.
The commies said its so difficult to take time away from Fed when he takes such an aggressive court position and so Thiem is feeling so rushed. I feel the trio of Rafa, Novak and Murray have no such problem hitting passing shots for winners against Fed on such a court. Obviously Thiem (and Dimi) are not of the same league of the trio.
Poor Thiem, I think he doesnt know what hits him, the ball keeps coming back so fast!
Its a shame that Cilic had to lose to Thiem, at least Cilic could hit a bigger serve and prevent Fed from coming forward too often and winning some cheap points. Cilic doesnt fear Fed and thats the important thing.
I think Milos will do a lot better than this, luckystar.
I think so too. At least Milos has a big serve and has played against Fed many times so knows what to expect.
Fed will still come through in the end, maybe in 3 sets.
It will be the clash of two players who dislike and avoid when possible any long rallies…strong serve, powerful forehands on both sides… I am afraid Milos is too vulnerable on the BH side and good old Swiss will take advantage of it…also Milos is not mentally strong in this kind of matches so it may easily be Fed in 2 at the end…