Yesh Ginsburg, James Cunningham, and Brett Margolies are on hand to offer their preview and predictions for the 2018 Australian Open men’s quarterfinals as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer hope to book their place in the semifinals.
Rafael Nadal vs. Marin Cilic
Yesh: Nadal was challenged by the hard-hitting Schwartzman, and Cilic hits the ball even harder. Still, the Spaniard has looked strong enough that picking against him is foolish, for now. Nadal in 5
James: Rafael Nadal has completely dispelled rumours about his fitness and form this tournament so far, putting in commanding performances against tricky opponents in earlier rounds. Cilic, on the other hand, had very little pressure on him going into the tournament, and he has quietly gone about his business through the rounds, building confidence. Moreover, his flat, powerful serves and groundstrokes can upset Nadal, whose topspin forehands often play to the advantage of the hard-hitters. Despite this, I do not think that Cilic has enough to beat Nadal in this sort of form. He will take a set off the Spaniard, but Nadal will prevail in key moments during the match, and should see this one through in four. Nadal in 4
Brett: This will be a big test for Nadal. He didn’t look as good as he had previously in his win over Diego Schwartzman. Now he’ll play against someone in Cilic who plays completely different. He’s had little trouble with Cilic in the past including four wins on hardcourts. This will be close, but I expect Nadal to get through to the semifinals. Nadal in 4
Grigor Dimitrov vs. Kyle Edmund
Yesh: Edmund’s dream run has to end somewhere, and this is probably it. Dimitrov has not been dominant this tournament, but he has been consistently very strong. He’ll need to up his game in the next round, but he should get by Edmund without too much trouble as is. Dimitrov in 3
James: Britain’s Kyle Edmund has had a fabulous tournament, where has had to outdo his opponents, both physically and tactically, to get to this stage. He has the resilience and power in his shots to take a set off Grigor Dimitrov, but unfortunately for the Yorkshireman, I cannot see him winning this one. Dimitrov is my favourite to win the tournament, and his performance against Kyrgios in the previous round was sublime. It will take a monumental lapse of concentration and a performance of a lifetime to sway this in the Brit’s favour, and I do not think this will happen. Dimitrov in 4
Brett: Grigor Dimitrov has picked up right where he left off last year after winning the ATP finals. He has what I would consider a favorable matchup against Kyle Edmund. He just defeated Edmund in three sets in Brisbane the first week of the year. Dimitrov seems to be playing confident right now, I don’t think he’ll have any trouble with Edmund who’s had a nice run in Melbourne. Dimitrov in 3
Tennys Sandgren vs. Hyeon Chung
Yesh: Chung is flying high right now after upsetting Novak Djokovic. Sandgren, meanwhile, is living out a dream run. Chung is more talented, but Sandgren has actually looked more consistent this week. This will all depend on if Chung can handle the pressure of suddenly being viewed as a top-caliber player. I say he cracks. Sandgren in 4
James: Who saw this one coming? Both of these players have done incredibly well to get to this stage of the tournament, knocking out some big name scalps along the way. Sandgren displayed a maturity and patience unbecoming of his ranking to dispatch Dominic Thiem in his first-ever main draw Australian Open, but Chung is younger, fitter, and he will have the answer to whatever the American has to throw at him. It will be a mighty contest, however. Chung in 5
Brett: Just as everyone expected when the tournament started, Sandgren-Chung for a spot in the semifinals. After defeating Novak Djokovic in straight sets Hyeon Chung has to be full of confidence, I don’t think he’ll let this opportunity go to waste. Chung in 4
Roger Federer vs. Tomas Berdych
Yesh: Federer has owned Berdych in their careers, but when Berdych is hitting the ball this cleanly he can beat Federer. The Swiss looked a little vulnerable against Marton Fucsovics. I won’t go out on a limb here, but don’t be shocked to see an upset. Federer in 5
Brett: Federer has owned Berdych recently winning the last eight times they’ve played. Berdych is playing great right now after defeating Del Potro and Fognini in straight sets. I think Berdych will keep it close based on his current form, but Federer will be too good in the end. Federer in 5
James: It has been nearly fourteen years since Tomas Berdych famously beat Roger Federer at the Athens Olympic Games, and if the Czech is to have any chance of taking the game to Federer on this occasion, then he must use the speed of the hard courts and the additional pressure on Federer to his advantage, as he did in Athens. Federer, however, has a good record against Berdych in recent years, beating him comfortably in last year’s semi-final at Wimbledon. Unlike Berdych, Federer has successfully adapted his game to suit his current physique to perfection since that meeting in Athens, and based on his form and confidence shown in the tournament thus far, he should win this relatively comfortably. Federer in 4
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