The Australian Open men’s quarterfinals feature Novak Djokovic vs Milos Raonic and Roger Federer vs Tennys Sandgren. Our panel of Harsh Bhoot, Ryan Schick, Yesh Ginsburg, and Jim Smith offer their predictions. We also have women’s quarterfinals predictions including Barty vs Kvitova.
Novak Djokovic vs Milos Raonic
Harsh: Milos Raonic certainly deserves to be back in the second week of the Grand Slam and to go any further would require something very special. The Canadian is yet to be broken in this tournament but surely that stat has to change against the best returner on tour. Novak Djokovic swatted aside Diego Schwartzman with ease and has to feel good about his chances against Raonic. The Canadian carries a lot of baggage of a 0-9 head to head against the Serb and knows his biggest weapon is under threat all the time. Baseline exchanges would heavily favour the Serb and an all out attack by Raonic would bring out the counterpuncher in Djokovic. Everything points to a routine Djokovic masterclass. Djokovic in 3
Damian: I think it will be closer than expected. Raonic has been playing almost better than ever throughout the first week, not dropping a single set. His serving is as stellar as you expect it to be and the improved movement allows him to run around his backhand and dominate on the inside-out forehand. Djokovic is obviously in a league of his own when it comes to return and retrieving, but if Raonic comes out with a clear head, he will make it interesting for at least a set or two. Djokovic in 4
Jim: Djokovic has sailed through his last three matches, with his straight-sets win over 14th seed Diego Schwartzman particularly impressive. But the big-hitting Jan-Lennard Struff did take a set off the great Serb in the first round and Raonic, who has been in superb form himself, has power to spare. But will that be enough to take him past Djokovic? He has lost all nine of his meetings with the world #2 and Djokovic is never more at home than when he is on Rod Laver Arena. Djokovic in 4
Ryan: Djokovic is not playing quite peak Djokovic, but at Melbourne and at the ATP Cup he’s been a very good, in form Djokovic. That Djokovic is near impossible to beat in Australia, especially now with his improved serve. Raonic is finally healthy again and making the most of it. He has looked great and dominated his way to the quarters. Raonic can give Djokovic some trouble with his serve but Novak will win without too much trouble and improve to 6-0 against the Canadian. Djokovic in 3
Roger Federer vs Tennys Sandgren
Harsh: Roger Federer expectantly looked a little bit off in the first set against Marton Fucsovics but came back in style playing on his terms. He now faces Tennys Sandgren, a player not many foresaw reaching the last eight when the draw came out. Its their first matchup and should have a lot of exciting moments but in all likelihood Sandgren’s fairytale run ends here. The American’s serve will be easily countered by the Swiss and can’t see Sandgren going toe to toe with Federer from the baseline. However, the American is super pumped and may well pull himself to win a set but that’s all he’ll get. Federer in 4
Damian: Federer escaped from the jaws of defeat against John Millman but recovered nicely to overcome a slow start and beat Marton Fucsovics on Sunday. The Swiss will probably enjoy playing Tennys Sandgren now, who has a much more conventional tennis style than Millman or Fucsovics. The American bases his game on big serving and dominating the points on his forehand. Players who face Federer for the very first time often struggle to deal with his full bag of tricks and I expect Sandgren to be a bit astonished by the Swiss’ variety. Federer usually does well against players with a gameplan like Sandgren and I expect it to be a rather straightforward three-set victory. Federer in 3
Jim: After making a great start in Melbourne, Federer has looked rather less than impressive in his last two matches. But the Swiss found a way to get past John Millman and Marton Fucsovics, with this matchup looking rather more comfortable for the 20-time Major champion. Sandgren has played well so far at the Australian Open and this is the second time he has reached the quarterfinals. But its hard to see how he will be able to hurt Federer consistently. The reverse is far from true. Federer in 3
Ryan: I can’t believe I’m writing this but I actually think Sandgren has a chance. Federer has looked very vulnerable this tournament. That being said, he is still Roger Federer, and Sangren was not 100% by the end of the Fognini match and this run may have taken a lot out of him but he will refuse to go down easy. Federer in 4
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