Australian Open 2017 - Day 12

[PonsfordMagpie]

Full schedule of play: https://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html
Weather: Becoming sunny 25C.
Coverage: Channel 7, or watch any match online at https://www.7tennis.com.au/live. You can also download the 7Tennis App to watch any match online on your digital device.

vs.

Rafael Nadal [9] v Grigor Dimitrov [15] - Rod Laver Arena (NOT before 7:30pm)

 

[ItsGameTime]

Prediction:
Dimitrov in 3 sets.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Surprising prediction. What makes you think Dimitrov is going to win with relative ease?

 

[ItsGameTime]

Surprising prediction. What makes you think Dimitrov is going to win with relative ease?

All the other matches they have played together date back to 2-3 years ago. Dimitrov won last between the two in 2016 - this was in October and I am not sure the coaching change was in effect. I feel this new coach has given him the tools to make the finals.

In regards to Nadal, I haven't been impressed with his game. Defeated a not so good Monfils and Raonic. In saying that, Dimitrov has to continue his consistency to win this match. I am just looking at it in terms of form.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Dimitrov's current coach Daniel Vallverdu has been coaching him since August last year.

Vallverdu has previously coached Andy Murray (2010-2014) and Tomas Berdych (2014-2016).

 

[ItsGameTime]

Dimitrov's current coach Daniel Vallverdu has been coaching him since August last year.

Vallverdu has previously coached Andy Murray (2010-2014) and Tomas Berdych (2014-2016).

Just did a Google search on him too. It seems he is definitely the right guy for the job.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Dimitrov's playing his best tennis since 2014 so this is his best chance to topple Nadal.

It will be fascinating to see how he copes against a quality player in a highly-charged setting.

 

[JackNah_8]

Nadal 4 sets

 

[ItsGameTime]

Dimitrov's playing his best tennis since 2014 so this is his best chance to topple Nadal.

It will be fascinating to see how he copes against a quality player in a highly-charged setting.

I believe Daniel Vallverdu coached Berdych to victory against Nadal at the Australian Open 2015. Definitely knows his stuff.

 

[BobbyMorri]

I believe Daniel Vallverdu coached Berdych to victory against Nadal at the Australian Open 2015. Definitely knows his stuff.

thrashed him that day as well.

will be a very interesting match. Also enjoy the womens doubles before the night session. That should happen tomorrow as well for the mens. it is always a shame that the men doubles plays so late at night when no one is around.

 

[Flameboy]

Without wanting to mozz him, struggle to see Rafa losing. Big match, he'll turn up.

Dimitrov definitely a chance but I would expect Nadal to prevail over 5 sets.

 

[juice t]

thrashed him that day as well.

will be a very interesting match. Also enjoy the womens doubles before the night session. That should happen tomorrow as well for the mens. it is always a shame that the men doubles plays so late at night when no one is around.

Given at least one Aussie is guaranteed they should get slightly more than usual

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Nadal in 3, maybe 4 if Dimitrov has a good set.

 

[The_Big_Ship]

I have bad feeling Dimitrov will win, then go on to win the title.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I have bad feeling Dimitrov will win, then go on to win the title.

Won't mind it. Had played well

 

[ItsGameTime]

I have bad feeling Dimitrov will win, then go on to win the title.

Those are the good feelings.

 

[The_Big_Ship]

Those are the good feelings.

Haha I'm a Rafa fan.

 

[Demosthenes]

Nadal is a horrible matchup for Dimitrov, I really can't see him winning.

Not sure what the betting markets are saying, but to me Nadal has been the clear favourite from the moment he beat Raonic.

 

[vaughany]

Nadal in straight sets.
Dimitrov on a roll but Nadal will work him over quite easily in my opinion.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[vaughany]

Nadal is a horrible matchup for Dimitrov, I really can't see him winning.

Not sure what the betting markets are saying, but to me Nadal has been the clear favourite from the moment he beat Raonic.

$1.34 Nadal, $3.30 Dimitrov

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[ItsGameTime]

I think I was one of the only ones to predict Venus and Federer to win yesterday. May be the same result today with Dimitrov winning.

 

[Demosthenes]

A Dimitrov-Federer final would be cool, and probably quite competitive, but Nadal should really steamroll both of them without dropping more than a set or two collectively.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Nadal winning will be good.

- Shuts Courier and Todd up
- Makes him close to Federer's slam record and would mean he's won 2 on each surface (Fed only won one French)

 

[ItsGameTime]

Nadal winning will be good.

- Shuts Courier and Todd up
- Makes him close to Federer's slam record and would mean he's won 2 on each surface (Fed only won one French)

Courier and Todd will still go on and on.

I feel that Federer will beat Nadal if he makes it through. Only time will tell what is going to happen.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Nadal is a woeful matchup for Federer even he deep down knows it- there's a reason their head to head in Slam finals isn't pretty for Federer.

Dimitrov I would think Federer would beat although I'd be barracking for Dimitrov if that matchup happened