Day 7 of what has been an enthralling Australian Open will see two of tennis’ brightest talents go head to head on Rod Laver Arena as Grigor Dimitrov and Nick Kyrgios square off.
Nick Kyrgios, Australia’s last man standing, will once more carry the hope of a nation looking for its first Australian men’s winner at Melbourne Park since Mark Edmondson in 1976.
The mercurial 22-year-old is off the back of a title win in Brisbane two weeks ago, and having garnered three impressive wins here, there is belief that his fourth round opponent, Grigor Dimitrov – last year’s semifinalist, is in for a stern examination. Kyrgios will be looking to equal his career-best achievement at his home Slam, where he reached the quarterfinals in 2015. Dimitrov currently leads their head-to-head record with two wins, but Kyrgios notched up his first win over the Bulgarian in Brisbane this year with a brilliant three set victory.
Both players have justified their places for this encounter, but it is Dimtrov who has surprisingly looked shaky on his path to round four. The Bulgarian saw off Denis Novak in the first round, before facing a real scare of elimination when he was taken to five sets by American qualifier Mackenzie McDonald. He went on to drop another set in his victory over Andrey Rublev in the third round. Kygrios meanwhile has been coasting through his earlier matches with straight sets wins over Dutra Silva and Viktor Troicki before passing his first real test when he beat Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets under the watching eyes of American actor Will Smith.
With Day 7 packed with some riveting matches, there is certainly no one better than Kyrgios vs Dimitrov, and it is finely poised.
Other Matches to look forward to.
Caroline Wozniacki vs Magdalena Rybarikova
Caroline Wozniacki, following her epic win over Jana Fett acknowledged that she had one foot out of the tournament. The Dane, trailed 5-1 in the decider, and with two match points down, reeled off six successive games to take the set and the match. While Wozniancki has every reason to count herself fortunate to still be in tournament, she showed incredible mental strength that had eluded her in past Grand Slam matches.
She will face an in-form Slovak in the shape of Magdalena Rybarikova who is currently enjoying her best result at the Australian Open. It feels like ages ago since the pair met, with their last meeting dating back to US Open 2014, where Rybarikova retired mid-way through the third set. On paper, Wozniacki should have too much for her 29-year old opponent, but as Jana fett proved, she can be a little suspect at times. There have been a number of scalps claimed already at this year’s event, and if Rybarikova can serve lights out, there is every chance Wozniacki could be another departing seed.
Kyle Edmund vs Andreas Seppi
In fairness, Kyle Edmund’s run has been nothing short of magical. The lone Brit left in singles competition, served a giant-killing first round upset over 11th seed Kevin Anderson. He recently saw off Nikoloz Basilashvili in soaring heat in five sets and he is now looking to become just the second British man since Andy Murray to reach a Grand Slam quarter final.
Edmund’s opponent is not one who will strike fear into the eyes of British faithful, but Italian veteran Andreas Seppi’s love for the Australian Open is immense to say the least. This has been Seppi’s most successful grand slam where he has made the fourth round on four occasions, including a memorable victory over Roger Federer at the 2015 Australian Open.
Seppi also needed five sets to beat big serving Croat Ivo Karlovic in the third round. Edmund should have too much for his Italian opponent having beaten him in Antwerp two years ago in their only meeting to date, but Seppi has played some of his best tennis in Australia, and this could be another match that could very well go the distance.
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