The Australian Open quarterfinals will get underway with Rafael Nadal taking on first-time Australian Open quarterfinalist Denis Shapovalov, and first-time AO quarterfinalist Matteo Berrettini taking on two-time quarterfinalist Gael Monfils. Our panelists have predictions for both matches.
Matteo Berrettini vs Gael Monfils
Harsh Bhoot: Berrettini played exceedingly well to defeat Carreno Busta in straight sets. If Busta struggled to trouble Berrettini then it’s less likely the slightly less consistent Monfils will be able to do so. The Frenchman brings more power to the court but so does Berrettini and right now it looks like the Italian is going to take the head to head to 3-0. Berrettini in 4
Andrew Watson: These two played out one of my favourite matches of recent times. Their US Open quarterfinal in 2019 went all the way to a 5th set tiebreak. This could be similar. Berrettini did defeat Monfils comprehensively last year in the ATP Cup so deserves to be favourite but this is a different Monfils. Or at least it seems like it is. We can rely on Berrettini to hold serve and it seems as though the backhand has improved. He has also seen off a real talented shotmaker in Carlos Alcaraz in this tournament. I feel like the solidity of Berrettini might just be the ticket to win this match too. Berrettini in 5
Nurein Ahmed: Monfils and Berrettini played one of the most gripping Grand Slam matches in recent years at the 2019 US Open. And there is the likelihood that their quarterfinal showdown in Melbourne will hit those heights. Berrettini’s powerful first-serve and that steady backhand slice is the perfect cocktail keeping his opponents guessing across the net. Monfils though is a disciplined baseliner and certainly a better mover than the Italian. The Frenchman looks poised to avenge that loss at Flushing Meadows from three years ago. Monfils in 4
Jakub Bobro: The 35-year-old Monfils has taken full advantage of Djokovic’s absence in his section of the draw to reach his second quarterfinal in 17 appearances in Melbourne. The Frenchman has looked particularly impressive as he is yet to drop a set. Berrettini faced his toughest test in the third round, being pushed all the way to a fifth set tiebreak by the talented Carlos Alcaraz. Also dropping sets against Brandon Nakashima and Stefan Kozlov, the Italian has definitely had a tougher road here. Berrettini has won their previous two meetings, including a five-set classic during his breakout run at the 2019 US Open. With Monfils knowing this might be his best chance at a deep run left in his career, he will not go easily. Berrettini is the favorite, but I have a feeling that Monfils might pull off the upset here. Monfils in 5
Anish Joshi: Matteo Berrettini overpowered the dangerous looking Carreno Busta to book a spot in the qfs. Not being able to put up a show as such till now, he justified his hype with a cracking performance. Berrettini hammered 28 aces and 57 winners in his three set win. With the crowd egging him on, Gael Monfils never fails to put on a show. He is averaging over 13 aces per match, and also has an impressive amount of winners in the tournament. The two fiery players excel in similar areas, but Berrettini has age on his side. He will be the favorite, but Monfils won’t bow out without a fight. Berrettini in 4
Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov
Harsh: Some match this is going to be. The head to head stands at 3-1 in favour of Rafa but there have been pretty close matches between these two. Shapovalov enjoyed a great day out taking out Zverev in three sets but Nadal looks imperious and it’s a tough ask for the Canadian. If the Spaniard can serve as well as he has been this tournament, he should move on. Nadal in 4
Andrew: This is an intriguing match. Ever since that famous 2017 win for Shapovalov it feels like the Canadian raises his level for the great Spaniard. The last 3 meetings, including their exhibition preseason, have been very close. Even on clay Shapovalov took Nadal to a third set tiebreak. I think that Shapovalov will not be intimidated by Nadal and that he will be ready for this match. Nadal is, of course, going to be prepared as well. Hopefully it is epic but I am predicting a surprise and the Canadian to progress. Shapovalov in 4
Nurein: Rafael Nadal is three wins away from becoming the sole record holder in the Grand Slam count. And judging by his career accomplishments, the Spaniard rarely falls when history is in sight. This will be a major test for the sixth seed in his quest to win a second Australian Open title. Shapovalov is playing tennis out of his skin. But you do get the impression he has one error too many in his game to trouble his fellow southpaw. Nadal in 4
Jakub: Shapovalov is enjoying a good season so far, winning the ATP Cup for Canada and now reaching his first quarterfinal in Melbourne. The Canadian had a shaky start to his Australian Open campaign, dropping a set to Laslo Djere and going two sets to one down against Soonwoo Kwon. Shapovalov has turned it around more recently though with more impressive wins over Reilly Opelka and Alexander Zverev. Nadal has been progressing nicely through the draw, most recently enduring an insane 16-14 first set tiebreak against Adrian Mannarino, but Shapovalov might give him trouble. The 35-year-old does lead the head-to-head 3-1, but Shapovalov won their only previous meeting on hard. Shapovalov has already impressed and the fast conditions suit him more than Nadal, so if the 22-year-old can hold his nerve in big moments, he should take out the Spaniard. Shapovalov in 4
Anish: Denis Shapovalov stunned third seed and effectively second title favourite Alexander Zverev to March into the quarterfinal, where a bigger challenge awaits. Shapovalov outperformed Zverev in every area. Playing prime Shapovalov is a difficult task for most. He never lets the opponent find rhythm, and makes it very hard to hit winners. Though his game looked very good, his service was not quite there in the fourth round encounter. He needs everything to come together in order to pull off another upset. Nadal stopped Mannarino’s giant-killing run to advance into the quarterfinal for yet another year. He is looking too good this year in Melbourne, and there are very few players who can challenge him in this draw. Shapovalov’s recent heroics might have done his confidence a little better, but Nadal is looking irresistible right now. Nadal in 5
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