2013 Australian Open

[Righteo]

Hewitt playing Janko Tipsarovic first up. If he beats him then it looks like his draw opens right up. Would potentially meet Almagro in the 4th round and Ferrer in the quarters, so Hewitt may have one last GS run left in him.

What's wrong with some people, are you in the media or something? Tipsy will do Hewitt in 4.

 

[Pendles_Pies]

Top 1/2 men, Bottom 1/2 Women on Monday. Going on Tuesday, so hopefully Wozniacki/Lisicki is on MCA or I'm gonna upgrade my groundpass to a Hisense ticket.

 

[tazzietiger]

Stosur's draw is actually good. A shame she's so completely out of form. I guess you never know, one win might get the monkey off the back a bit but I think she's dug herself too much of a mental hole to get out of. Maybe Bernie can take all the attention for her and she can go under the radar a bit...

Most people don't expect anything from Sam Stosur while playing in Australia. I think most people now just want to see her do well no pressure.

 

[Chris_2593]

Top 1/2 men, Bottom 1/2 Women on Monday. Going on Tuesday, so hopefully Wozniacki/Lisicki is on MCA or I'm gonna upgrade my groundpass to a Hisense ticket.

Wait doesn't Vika and Novak both play on Monday as they are defending champions?

 

[Pendles_Pies]

Wait doesn't Vika and Novak both play on Monday as they are defending champions?

Doesn't look like it. Also weird that Sam and Lleyton are on Monday, considering that normally 1 or both are on Tuesday normally (IIRC 1st time in a longtime Lleyton is playing on 1st Monday). Guess Bernard is the new Lleyton in terms of scheduling.

 

[LionMen]

What would be better, ground pass for day 1 or day 2?

 

[Pendles_Pies]

Day 2, less nuffies

 

[Pendles_Pies]

Also never ever get a ground pass on saturday unless you get to the showcourts 1st thing at 10am. So many people.

 

[stmookeyj]

What's wrong with some people, are you in the media or something? Tipsy will do Hewitt in 4.

He's actually got to make it to the start line first (which I doubt personally), and even then I think it will be the other way around.

 

[Roobs321]

Hewitt-Tipsarevic are going to be playing past midnight. I anticipate an 8-6 5th set. Head says Tipsarevic, but Hewitt is playing okay. Think it will be like Hewitt's match against Gonzalez in Rnd1 2010 AO.

Other interesting Rnd 1 clashes include Dolgo-Monfils & Benneteau-Dimitrov. A few of the aussie men have opportunistic Rnd 1 clashes (2 against each other). Ebden probably has the hardest assignment against Youzhny, but with Youzhny you never know what to expect.

Djokovic's draw is ridiculous, he'll cruise to the final. No one in Ferrer's part of the draw could take him down, except maybe for a peak Tipsy. Ferrer should make the semis, although Tipsy is generally more competitive against him than the likes of Delpo-Berdych-Tsonga, so regardless would be an interesting QF. Also, Nishikori, while not 100%, lurks dangerously, as does Baghdatis. Hewitt could make the QF's, but I think it's impossible for Hewitt to beat Ferrer. Dimitrov & Janowicz also lurk in that field. Almagro, while seemingly unable to beat Ferrer, will also pounce on the opportunity if someone else takes down Ferrer. An intriguing quarter. Most likely Ferrer, but Nishikori, Tipsy and maybe Baghdatis might test him.

Murray has a more simple path, Del Potro in the quarters will be his first major challenge. I think

Federer arguably has the most trying path. Probably goes Paire-Davydenko-Tomic (all 3 in decent form) - Raonic - Tsonga. After that, Murray or Delpo in the semi, both capable of beating him. It's very possible he wont lose a set until Murray/Delpo semi, but there are no easybeats in his draw.

All in all, Djokovic will be laughing. I dont think anyone on his half of the draw really has a chance against him, Tipsy a long shot but Hewitt could dispose of him in Round 1. Ferrer would need to be at absolute peak without choking to have a shot at taking out Djokovic. Berdych also when firing can take down Djokovic, but early 2013 form doesnt indicate that will be happening.

Gasquet might make a QF, showing solid form.

This major will ultimately come down to match-fitness. A few iffy players in there not at 100%. Awesome 4th round matches to look forward to include Nishikori-Ferrer & Tsonga-Gasquet.

 

[matt_897]

Looking at the draws, men's:

Djokovic: Shouldn't be tested too hard but will be getting solid hitouts with Mathieu, harrison and then maybe Stepanek. Wawrinka or Querrey to start of the 2nd week.
Federer: What a fun draw, Paire in the first round is an absolute shotmaker, davydenko in the 2nd is a former WTF champ, Tomic in the 3rd round would be hyped up likere is not tomorrow. We certainly know what Fed is made of in the first week, he should get through but one of those 3 matchups will give him some trouble.
Murray: Same half as Federer. Haase in the first round is fairly tough given he was down 2-0 against him in the US Open a couple of years back. Nobody should trouble him in the first week. del potro in the quarters would be a lot of fun.
The rest: Ferrer in Tipsy's quarter again, haha, ok. Some fun first round matchups include Benneteau/Dmitrova, Dolgopolov/Monfils, Triocki/Stepanek & Goffin/Verdasco

Aussies:
Hewitt vs. Tipsarevic: You can look at this two ways, if you had to pick one of the top players, Tipsy would be it. But providing Tipsy is fit and ready to go, Tipsy will be a solid favourite. Going to be a fun match on monday night.
Millman vs. Ito: Yes, yes, yes. Got one of the better draws and beat him easily in Brisbane two weeks ago, as long as he doesn't get too nervous playing ina major main draw he can win this. Baghdatis in the 2nd round would have a lot of fun rallies.
Ebden vs. Youzhny: Wonder if they'll put this mugfest on Hisense for me. Youzhny should win this easily.
Matosevic vs. Cilic: Who did Marinko piss off? Guess the only promising this is he took Cilic to 5 sets in New York but there is nothing to suggest this will ahppen here.
Smith vs. Sousa: Certainly winnable but guess it will depend how he'll go playing 5 sets. reward is a 2nd round match with Murray
Duckworth vs. Mitchell: Duckworth was going to struggle to defend his round win here I thought. taht's until I saw this draw. Thanks organisers.
Saville vs. Soeda: Shouldn't be in the main draw according his results his summer, it will be experience for him
Tomic vs. L.Mayer: His sudden return of form this sumemr has been impressive and he has ben given a draw to make the 3rd round wher ehe could meat Federer. Klizan in the 2nd round is a shotmaker but certainly winnable.

 

[ag6858]

Day 1 Schedule

RLA
Sharapova
Stosur
Djokovic
----------------
Hewitt
Ivanovic

Hisense
Venus
Verdasco- Goffin
Barty- Cibulkova
Ferrer

MCA
Li
Bobusic-Radwanksa
Ebden
Dellacqua
--------------------
Baghdatis

A few surprises. Would have expected Li or Radwanska on Hisense and Barty or Verdasco on MCA. Still, looks like some promising matches spread across the day.

 

[Chris_2593]

Not that great day 1. I will be at Magaret Court most of the day I'm guessing.

 

[matt_897]

Hmmm, will be spending most of my time at MCA as well although I do want to see that Barty match so hopefully MCA isn't too crowded so I can go back between the two

 

[Roobs321]

Hmm, looks like after Ferrer's 4th Auckland title, he is currently sitting at a career record of 496-247. That's pretty damn good, almost 2/3 winning rate. Only a few current players would have 500+ career wins, and Ferrer will go sailing past that. I can only think of Federer (way past that), Nadal, Hewitt and Haas only just reached that milestone.

 

[ag6858]

Puchkova v Sharapova: Sharapova to endlessly double fault and make a ton of unforced errors but still win 2 and 2.
Chang v Stosur: Stosur to do everything possible to choke, but stumble towards a win in 3.
Djokovic v Mathieu: Mathieu to put up a bit of fight, will probably break Djokovic at one point, but Novak should cruise to a win in straight sets.
Hewitt v Tipsarevic: Lleyton to fight his heart out and give Tipsy a real fright in a long 5-setter, but be unable to come up with the win.
Ivanovic v Czink: Match will start at 1am in front of a mostly empty arena, and Ana will coast to a straight sets win.

Venus v Voskoboeva: I think Gallina will take a set, she was good in Sydney, but Venus won't be under any real trouble.
Goffin v Verdasco: I think Goffin will come away with the upset, winning in 4 or 5.
Cibulkova v Barty: Tough match for Ashleigh. I don't think she'll give Cibulkova any real problems, but it will be good experience for her nonetheless.
Ferrer v Rochus: Shouldn't be too hard for Ferrer, but Rochus might take a set.

Li v Karatantcheva: Never actually heard of the Kazakhstani before, Li should take it easily.
Bobusic v Radwanska: Easy win for Radwanska, but should be some good experience for Bojana.
Youzhny v Ebden: Mikhails no certainty, and Matty has the potential to take it to 5.
Dellacqua v Keys: Really intriguing matchup. Going by last weeks form, it should be an easy win for Keys, as Dellacqua was woeful, but Casey always plays her best in Melbourne and will take it up to the Yank.
Ramos v Baghdatis: Baggy should win it, but he's unpredictable, and you get the feeling he could implode.

 

[Roobs321]

Puchkova v Sharapova: Sharapova to endlessly double fault and make a ton of unforced errors but still win 2 and 2.
Chang v Stosur: Stosur to do everything possible to choke, but stumble towards a win in 3.
Djokovic v Mathieu: Mathieu to put up a bit of fight, will probably break Djokovic at one point, but Novak should cruise to a win in straight sets.
Hewitt v Tipsarevic: Lleyton to fight his heart out and give Tipsy a real fright in a long 5-setter, but be unable to come up with the win.
Ivanovic v Czink: Match will start at 1am in front of a mostly empty arena, and Ana will coast to a straight sets win.

Venus v Voskoboeva: I think Gallina will take a set, she was good in Sydney, but Venus won't be under any real trouble.
Goffin v Verdasco: I think Goffin will come away with the upset, winning in 4 or 5.
Cibulkova v Barty: Tough match for Ashleigh. I don't think she'll give Cibulkova any real problems, but it will be good experience for her nonetheless.
Ferrer v Rochus: Shouldn't be too hard for Ferrer, but Rochus might take a set.

Li v Karatantcheva: Never actually heard of the Kazakhstani before, Li should take it easily.
Bobusic v Radwanska: Easy win for Radwanska, but should be some good experience for Bojana.
Youzhny v Ebden: Mikhails no certainty, and Matty has the potential to take it to 5.
Dellacqua v Keys: Really intriguing matchup. Going by last weeks form, it should be an easy win for Keys, as Dellacqua was woeful, but Casey always plays her best in Melbourne and will take it up to the Yank.
Ramos v Baghdatis: Baggy should win it, but he's unpredictable, and you get the feeling he could implode.

Pretty much agree except;

I really dont like Verdasco, and I expect Goffin to beat him comfortably, but not do anything of note in the tournament. Also O.Rochus is an old favourite, but he hasnt done much of note in the last few years, Ferrer should dispose of him quite easily.
Agree with the Youzhny-Ebden match. Mikhail can be a headcase at times, so you never know, but should win. Ebden wouldnt suprise though.

I cant see Ramos beating Baghdatis, especially a relatively in-form Baghy in Australia (where he generally plays well).

 

[Chris_2593]

No way Ebden is beating anyone on current form.

 

[tazzietiger]

Dellacqua v Keys: Really intriguing matchup. Going by last weeks form, it should be an easy win for Keys, as Dellacqua was woeful, but Casey always plays her best in Melbourne and will take it up to the Yank.

Keys to win comfortable over Casey in 2 sets. Surely Casey can't play any worse than the other day though.

 

[Caesar]

Tipseravic has elbow issues. This afternoon's scoreline flatters Hewitt immensely, but nonetheless he is fit and playing pretty decent. Still the underdog, but nonetheless I would rate him a very good chance to beat Tipseravic (although the sentimental factor will mean the odds will still make him not worth betting on).

The positive thing about this draw for Hewitt is that he is in by far the weakest section of the draw. These days Hewitt usually plays his best in the first round when he is fresh, so it's possibly not a bad thing that he's playing his toughest first-week opponent straight off the bat.

If he does manage to beat Tipsy, you'd have to like his chances of making a fourth round meet up with Ferrer. And Ferrer is hardly the worst opponent you can meet in the fourth round of a Slam.

 

[hirdy_is_champ]

Argh, got night 4 tickets because I assumed they woudn't start either of Stosur or Hewitt on the first day because they never do. they were who I wanted to see most.... Can't decide whether to go day one or two with a ground pass....

I assume Jarka and Matosevic will get Hisense or MCA matches on tuesday, might go then.

 

[matt_897]

I would say there would still be RLA tickets available for day one....

 

[matt_897]

Rest of the schedule: http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html

Millman last on Court 3
Rogowska 3rd on Court 6
Jones 1st on Court 7

Supossedly SC2 and SC3 have hawkeye this year too.

 

[Pendles_Pies]

After seeing the schedule for Monday, hopes have been dashed to see Caro/Sabine. That's 100% Night 2 at RLA. RLA day 2 is probably going to be: Serena/Roger/Vika then Bernard/Caro-Sabine.

 

[Chris_2593]

I think Fed will be night session and Tomic day.