RICKY DIMON LOOKS @ DRAW AND FEDERER AND MURRAY IN SAME AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUARTER, NADAL AVOIDS DANGER

Written by: on 16th January 2015
Tennis Australian Open 2015
RICKY DIMON LOOKS @ DRAW AND FEDERER AND MURRAY IN SAME AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUARTER, NADAL AVOIDS DANGER

epa04562070 Roger Federer from Switzerland squeezes his hat in the sun during a practice session prior the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, in Melbourne, Australia, 16 January 2015. The Australian Open tennis tournament runs from 19 January until 01 February 2015. EPA/BARBARA WALTON  |

Roger Federer and Andy Murray, who have faced each other three times at the Australian Open, could collide in the quarterfinals for a second straight year. That much was confirmed on Friday when the draw ceremony was held at Melbourne Park.

Roger Federer (L) of Switzerland is congratulated by Andy Murray (R) of Britain after winning their quarter final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 22 January 2014. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

 

 

 

Federer and Murray are in a tough final section of the bracket that also includes Grigor Dimitrov and Ivo Karlovic. The 33-year-old Swiss may run into Karlovic in the fourth round, while another showdown in the last 16 could put the sixth-seeded Scot against Dimitrov.

 

What are likely considered ideal semifinal matchups also became possibilities with the unveiling of the 128-man field.

 

Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, who have split a pair of five-setters against each other in the last two years at the Happy Slam, are on a collision course for the last four. Another installment of one of tennis’ greatest rivalries is also a possibility in the semis, as Federer and Rafael Nadal are in the bottom half.

 

Spansh tennis player Rafael Nadal in action during a training session, in preparation for the Australian Open tennis tournament, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 16 January 2015. The Australian Open tennis tournament runs from 19 January until 01 February 2015. EPA/DAVID CROSLING AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Nadal avoided obvious danger in the form of big hitters, the likes of which have troubled him in the past. Karlovic, of course, is in Federer’s quarter. John Isner is in Djokovic’s eighth of the draw and Milos Raonic is in the same quarter as Isner and Djokovic. Juan Martin Del Potro also finds himself in the top-ranked Serb’s section. Nick Kyrgios, who stunned the Spaniard at Wimbledon, is near Federer and Karlovic.

 

Wawrinka, the defending champion, is in a quarter that is not at all deep, but without question top-heavy. Kei Nishikori looms especially large and Doha champion David Ferrer can never be discounted.

 

“Against Novak last year, (that) changed everything,” said Wawrinka, who was present for the draw ceremony. “To finish as the winner, it gave me the confidence and put me in the semifinals there. I was feeling great, and [after that match] I had the level to win a Grand Slam.”

 

 

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: , , , , , , , , ,








10sBalls Top Stories

In Case You Missed It

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA thumbnail

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA

Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday that Eugenie Bouchard is the winner of the 2018 Excellence Awards in the Female Player of the Year and Singles Player of the Year categories.
TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE

Time to get tickets to watch! Surly you have heard about The Largest Open Tennis Event in America!
TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER

According to Uncle Toni, Rafael Nadal was supposed to be back at practice on either Dec. 4 or 5. Well, better late than never!
Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife thumbnail

Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife

Española y checa ya trabajaron juntas durante el pasado Open de Estados Unidos
ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS thumbnail

ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia hits a forehand to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during her second round match at the Nature Valley International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, Great Britain, on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.