Rafael Nadal is out, but the semifinal lineup in Brisbane is still an impressive one with three of the top four seeds on Saturday’s schedule. Milos Raonic, who beat Nadal in the quarters, is facing Grigor Dimitrov. Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori are also in action.
(3) Kei Nishikori vs. (2) Stan Wawrinka
Wawrinka and Nishikori will be squaring off for the eighth time in their careers and for the fourth time since the start of last summer when they battle for a place in the Brisbane International title match on Saturday afternoon. The head-to-head series stands at 4-3 in favor of Wawrinka, but Nishikori took two of their three 2016 encounters. They most recently faced each other at the World Tour Finals, where the Japanese star rolled 6-2, 6-3 in round-robin competition.
That continued a post-U.S. Open slump for Wawrinka, who beat Nishikori 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 in the semis on his way to the title in New York City. The fourth-ranked Swiss appears to have come back strong following the offseason, with victories this week over Viktor Troicki and Kyle Edmund. Nishikori also benefited from a first-round bye before before beating Jared Donaldson and Jordan Thompson. Brisbane’s third seed is a three-time semifinalist at this event but has never advanced past this stage. The fourth time should be the charm for an in-form Nishikori.
Pick: Nishikori in 2
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(1) Milos Raonic vs. (7) Grigor Dimitrov
Already up to a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world, Raonic now likely has his sights set on a first Grand Slam title. But the first order of business is a title defense in Brisbane, where he beat Roger Federer in last year’s championship match after losing the 2015 final to Federer. Raonic’s quest is off to an outstanding start, with a 6-3, 6-2 rout of Diego Schwartzman and a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Rafael Nadal on Friday.
Up next for the top seed on Saturday is a fourth career showdown against Dimitrov, who leads the head-to-head series 2-1 at the ATP level and 3-1 overall. They have not faced each other since 2014, when the Bulgarian prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(10) during third-round action. Dimitrov heated up this past fall and has carried that momentum over into 2017 with Brisbane defeats of Steve Johnson, Nicolas Mahut, and Dominic Thiem. Almost no one, however, is playing as well as Raonic right now and this is clearly one of the big guy’s favorite tournaments.
Pick: Raonic in 2
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who ya got?
Tsame as Ricky except Special Kei will need a third set to take down The Whiny CryBaby.
Dimitrov and stanimal in three
Wawrinka in 3. Loves playing in Oz and when motivated goes to another level above Nishikori.
Raonic in 2. He’s not No.3 in the world for no reason and he proved that against Nadal. I sense Raonic feels he has more responsibility to deliver as No.3 also so he’s more likely to win matches against higher ranked players going forward.
Ha, beating Rafa had taken a lot out of Raonic; he could only served 4 aces vs Dimi and lost in straight sets.
Dimi unlike Rafa, returns closer to the baseline and returns well enough not to let Raonic hit many aces. Well done Dimi; looks like Dimi is more serious with his tennis now.
Wawrinka (5,315) and Raonic (5,450) are very close in the rankings so will be highly motivated to do well in Brisbane as well.
I am going with Nishi in 3 sets over Stan.
Raonic in 3 sets.
Nishi in 3….Dtrov in straight!
bold
Good picks, esp the Dimi one. Both won their matches and into the final to play each other.
perhaps my dad should take over running this site!
Nishi and Milos in three
Nishi and Milos in three
Brisbane isnt big enough for Wawrinka, he only gets fired up for the slams he hasnt won. Nishikori will probably win.
Stan usually goes and wins Chennai prior to AO, though. He changed his routine. No doubt because Donna Vekic was playing Brisbane too 😉
Now here he is, Stan, alone in Brisbane, Donna is in Sydney trying to qualify… and he’s battling it out with Kei in the SF. Now, I’m guessing Stan came serious about Brisbane, wants this title and continue his winning routine before AO. Normally, I’d agree about Brisbane being too small.
And anyway, I picked Kei in my bracket but hadn’t thought about how seriously Stan could be set on winning here. Kei really wants this too. And it’s a great match so far!
But I don’t enjoy watching Kei lose to anyone. Go Kei!
I think your wish will come through in a moment RC…
Thanks Mira Andy,
and there it is…….woot!
Now will it be Milos or Dim dim?
I picked Rafa to win Brisbane, AM. Sad he lost to Milos.
Congrats for Kei’s win RC…I think he’s going to win tomorrow..bout Rafa,don’t be sad okay?It was not meant to be..but your bracket suffered a little bit,yes?
dedicated to The Rat:
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I mean “TRUE”..sorry RC,my mind lost it’s sanity due to Rafa’s loss!What can i say..
Dimitrov is straight up balling right now. Rolled past Raonic for a spot in the final. Kei is the favorite but can’t wait that’ll be a good one.
monster win
Good for Dimi; maybe we are seeing a Dimi revival this season? If Rafa can only win on clay (and hopefully including the FO) then I wish for guys like Dimi, Thiem, Kei and Raonic to make their moves at the slams.
The big four all looked fatigued through so many years of winning everywhere, time to pass the baton to the leading man/men of the next generation.
Nadal already on Dimitrov’s 2017 Christmas list for losing to Raonic
I thought Raonic wound beat Dimi for sure. Didn’t see the match, but Dimi must have played well. It looks like he is picking up where he left off. Maybe he has gotten it together finally.
I think that we are going to hear more from Raonic.