Australian Open - Day 9

[matt_897]

Ok, quarterfinals time, lets look at these matchups (11am start):

vs.

3- Simona Halep vs. 10- Ekaterina Makarova - H2H 1-0 to Halep - I have a feeling this will be a good matchup, Halep will be able to counteract Makarova's big well and match it with some weapons herself. Makarova keeping the rallies short ill be the key here. Halep in straight.

Not before 12.30pm:

vs.

7- Eugenie Bouchard vs. 2- Maria Sharapova - H2H 3-0 to Maria - Their French Open match last year was brutally tough and I expect more of that here. Genie losing a set in her last match is a question of concern and Maria seems to be turning the corner. Maria in straight.

vs.

7- Tomas Berdych vs. 3- Rafael Nadal - 18-3 to Nadal - Won his last 15 meetings over him, fair to say Nadal has the edge here and let's be honest whenever this matchup occurs Berdych fold like a cheap tent. The tennis so far from Berdych has been outstanding and will be trying to be attacking aggressive tennis. Rafa will do what he does best and grind him down and then play his own style of aggresive tennis with his forehand. Rafa in 3.

Not before 7.15pm:

vs.

Nick Kyrgios vs. 6- Andy Murray - 1-0 to Murray - Looking at their match in Canada, mMrray pretty much dismantled Nick just being way too solid and even Nick absurd serve and power couldn't get through Murray. I think this is a crap matchup for Nick (and going to be a huge issue heading into the next few years of his career) and may have already met his expectations since they were pretty low coming in. Andy is playing pretty well and should win this easily sadly.

Weather: Partly Cloudy 21C
Coverage on Channel 7
Live scores: http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/index.html

 

[vaughany]

^Straight set victories for all four matches on dsy 9 I wonder what they would pay as multi bet

 

[Amazing Bombers]

Should be but if Genie brings her best she can win. Think the best Nick can get is a set but hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[Kaan]

Rafa in 4

Kyrgios in 5

 

[pepsi]

Kyrgios in 5

Would be huge, but I just can't see it happening. Murray is playing so well.

 

[vaughany]

$1.14 Murray
$6.20 Kyrgios

If Kygrios wins tonight in 5 then government might as well announce a public holiday tomorrow.
Thursday night semi against Nadal would be ch7 highest rating program this year easily

 

[Mingo]

Would love to see Genie beat Sharapova. Excited to have the day off to watch some tennis.

/end lame way of subscribing to the thread.

 

[X_box_X]

If any of those matches are going the distance, it will be Bouchard v Sharapova. How often did Sharapova win a match last year after losing the first set? That could be on the cards again today.

I actually reckon Makarova will beat Halep too. Probably in three.

 

[Hudu Gurusingha]

Im frothing over the Kyrgios v Murray match. Best serve of the tournament v best returner of the tournament so far.

Awesome article on the stats and possible strategies for the match:

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2015-01-26/match_of_the_day_murray_kyrgios.html

Murray actually has a higher winning percentage overall for the tournament when his opponent is hitting a second serve (60 per cent) than when he is hitting his own second serve (58 per cent). Think of it as if Murray has three serves, and the opponent only gets one. Not really fair play from the Brit.

Murray leads the tournament in return games won at 41 per cent (25/61), and if he can be a step ahead in the guessing game of Kyrgios’s serve location, then the Aussie is going to have a very tough time holding serve.

We are currently in the golden age of the returner, so this match will be a great yardstick to see if the serve, long thought of as the most dominant shot in tennis, can get a little more shine back on its tarnished image.

 

[Flameboy]

3 top matches after this current one. Gonna be a good solid day of doing nothing and watching the tennis.

 

[X_box_X]

3 top matches after this current one. Gonna be a good solid day of doing nothing and watching the tennis.

From one Chelsea fan to another, I think it's fair to say all four matches today are intriguing.

Makarova is playing some amazing Tennis this tournament.

 

[toxic]

If any of those matches are going the distance, it will be Bouchard v Sharapova. How often did Sharapova win a match last year after losing the first set? That could be on the cards again today.

I actually reckon Makarova will beat Halep too. Probably in three.

Great call

ON FIRE

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Halep does that all the time when she has a chance. No weapons, just solid. Solid rarely wins slams.

 

[Hudu Gurusingha]

Azarenka losing yesterday was one of the best things that has happened to the tournament

 

[Mingo]

God dammit I wish we had an Aussie tennis player that was reasonably likable. Tomic now Kyrgios. Yes Kyrgios your s**t does stink.

 

[Mingo]

Speaking of likable.... hi Genie!

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Hope Genie brings out her best game against Sharapova. She can match it with her as shown in the French Open but hopefully she doesn't tire out as the game goes on.

 

[Mingo]

Hope Genie brings out her best game against Sharapova. She can match it with her as shown in the French Open but hopefully she doesn't tire out as the game goes on.

Positive start....

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Positive start....

Already broken

 

[Mingo]

She seems to be trying too much too soon. Doesn't seem to want to get engaged in any rallies.

 

[pepsi]

UE after UE so far.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Seven unforced errors already. She needs to settle the nerves by holding here.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Bouchard and her 10 year old 2nd serve

 

[CasuallyDressed]

Bouchard and her 10 year old 2nd serve

At least she doesn't to scream like a campaigner to distract her opponents.

 

[Bobby_]

Rafa v Berdy will be a classic, at least it appears so.
Both guys seem to be peaking at the right time in the event but Rafa's record against the big hitters, and in particular Tomas Berdych, is ridiculous. Can see this one going to 5 after one or two tie-breaks.

Murray in 4 but wouldn't be surprised if he wipes the floor with the young Aussie. Been a great run thus far but Murray had the perfect challenge against Dimitrov who is obviously the more superior and experienced player to Kyrgios. Will hold Murray in good stead to start off the 1st set.