The second week of the Australian Open is in full swing on Wednesday with a slew of good quarterfinal matches on both the men’s and women’s sides. Here is what to look forward to from the Australian Open Day 10.
Australian Open Day 10 Preview and Predictions
Madison Keys vs. Venus Williams:
For American tennis fans this is a match worth staying up for. We have one of the greatest American women ever to play in Venus Williams going against Madison Keys, an up and comer who is coached by another American great in Lindsay Davenport. Both players like to dictate play and hit the ball hard and flat. The only time they have played was at the Family Circle Cup where Williams won 6-4 6-4. Williams has been chosen by many as a dark horse player with the potential to go far in the Australian Open. She has not lost a match in 2015 and overall has looked very strong in Melbourne. While Williams should be able to win this match, it has been a great run for Keys and Davenport, and their relationship looks set up for success. Keys is the young American woman with the most upside right now.
Prediction: Williams wins in three sets.
Serena Williams vs. Dominika Cibulkova:
Dominika Cibulkova has never beaten Serena Williams in four matches and has only taken a set off of her once, which was in 2013. Cibulkova played an extremely solid match against Victoria Azarenka where she really went for her shots. She will look to do the same against Williams to help neutralize Williams’ power. She has had a great week overall especially given that she is defending finalist points from last year. Williams will be looking for easy points off of Cibulkova’s weak second serve and try to push Cibulkova to go for too much on her shots. When Cibulkova starts to make unforced errors they can really start to build up. Williams has looked very good at times but has had some slow starts where she just hasn’t looked mentally there. Whoever gets that early momentum in this match is going to have the biggest advantage. If Williams doesn’t show up early and Cibulkova hits her shots it could spell trouble for Williams.
Prediction: Williams in two sets.
Stanislas Wawrinka vs. Kei Nishikori:
This is the most intriguing match of the day. Stanislas Wawrinka has looked extremely relaxed as the defending champion but he is facing his toughest competition to date in Kei Nishikori. It wasn’t that long ago that Nishikori beat Wawrinka in five sets in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. That gives Nishikori the confidence to know he can beat Wawrinka. However it also gives Wawrinka motivation to avenge his loss in New York. Nishikori is one of the “young guns” that many believe will be the first of his generation to win a Grand Slam with some even predicting this will be his break out tournament. One thing this match does promise, regardless of the winner, is high-level tennis between familiar foes. While it should be close, the slight edge has to go to Wawrinka with how comfortable he is looking, expect Nishikori to throw everything including the kitchen sink before admitting defeat.
Prediction: Stan Wawrinka in five sets.
Novak Djokovic vs. Milos Raonic:
Milos Raonic has never beaten Novak Djokovic in four tries. The last meeting between the two came in the finals of Paris where Djokovic dispatched Raonic easily 6-2 6-3. Ranoic has looked the more focused and determined than ever. He has been making progress on the return, getting deeper in to his opponent’s service games. Raonic will have to convert the majority of his chances on Djokovic’s serves to put him in a position to win. Djokovic has seamlessly continued his dominance from 2014 in to 2015. He has not dropped a set yet in the tournament but has also had a reasonably easy road thus far. Djokovic has always looked extremely content in Australia and it is where he has played some of his best tennis. Raonic continues to grow as a player and is a player who has the potential to be in the top ten for years to come but unless he comes out playing his best tennis he is going to have a hard time beating Djokovic.
Prediction: Djokovic in four sets.
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