RICKY’S TENNIS PICKS FOR DAY 5 AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN, INCLUDING ROGER FEDERER VS. GRIGOR DIMITROV

Written by: Staff on 21st January 2016

RICKY'S TENNIS PICKS FOR DAY 5 AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN, INCLUDING ROGER FEDERER VS. GRIGOR DIMITROV

epa05112568 Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria returns the ball to Marco Trungelliti of Argentina during their second round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 20 January 2016. EPA/LYNN BO BO |

By Ricky Dimon

All eight seeded players in the second quarter of the Australian Open have advanced to the third round. That should make for a scintillating day of action at Melbourne Park on Friday. Among those taking the court are Roger Federer, Grigor Dimitrov, Tomas Berdych, and Nick Kyrgios. At the very top of the bracket, Novak Djokovic is going up against Andreas Seppi.

Picks:

(3) Roger Federer vs. (27) Grigor Dimitrov: Federer was under the weather earlier this month in Brisbane–and Dimitrov still lost. The Bulgarian at least managed to take a set off Federer for the first time in his career, but a 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4 loss dropped him to 0-4 lifetime in the head-to-head series. Even worse news for Dimitrov is that Federer is no longer less than 100 percent. The 34-year-old Swiss has been in cruise control so far this fortnight, having taken out Nikoloz Basilashvili and Alexandr Dolgopoov in easy straight sets. Dimitrov has been less impressive against much worse competition. The underdog may raise his level to steal a set, but Federer will not be denied in round three like he was last season by Andreas Seppi.

Federer in 4.

(6) Tomas Berdych vs. (29) Nick Kyrgios: Get your popcorn ready for what could be the best match of the third round–and maybe of the entire tournament–in terms of both competitiveness and quality. These two guys have a history of success Down Under. Berdych has made two consecutive trips to the semifinals and has not lost prior to the quarters since 2010. Kyrgios made a memorable run to the last eight in 2015, saving match points in an epic fourth-rounder against Seppi in the process. Even better now (definitely on the court and maybe off it, too), the 20-year-old Aussie is primed for a big run. Getting to play Berdych in the third round instead of one of the top 4 is a huge opportunity. Kyrgios should be able to capitalize on it amidst what will be a raucous atmosphere.

Kyrgios in 5.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia returns against Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay during their second round match of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 20 January 2016. EPA/TRACEY NEARMY

(19) Dominic Thiem vs. (15) David Goffin: These two occasional doubles partners are becoming increasingly familiar foes on the singles court. They have faced each other five times–all since the summer of 2014. Goffin leads the head-to-head series 3-2, but Thiem has won two in a row. It would not be too surprising to see Goffin struggle physically once again. The Belgian lost 10 of 11 games during a stretch in which he looked almost lifeless before suddenly righting the ship to beat Damir Dzumhur in four sets on Wednesday. Thiem has been awesome in defeats of Leonardo Mayer and Nicolas Almagro. The ball-striking in this one is going to be phenomenal, but Goffin will eventually wilt under his opponent’s offensive onslaught.

Thiem in 4.

(24) Marin Cilic vs. (12) Roberto Bautista Agut: This should be beatdown city. That being said, Bautista Agut often rises to the occasion to pull off surprises when he is counted out. The Spaniard has been in absolute warrior mode this year. He captured the Auckland title last week and has won consecutive five-setters at the Aussie Open over Martin Klizan and Dusan Lajovic. Cilic is underrated mainly because of injury. He almost finished in the top 10 last season despite missing the first three months with a shoulder injury. The Croat got off to a slow start against Thiemo De Bakker on Monday but has been dominant ever since.

Cilic in 3.

Marin Cilic of Croatia returns the ball to Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during their second round match of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 20 January 2016. EPA/FILIP SINGER

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (28) Andreas Seppi: “Nobody beats Andreas Seppi 12 times in a row.” That may be what the Italian is thinking, but it may not be true–because Djokovic is almost certain to do just that on Friday. The Serb is sweeping the head-to-head series 11-0, including 7-0 on hard courts (15-1 in total sets in those seven matches). And perhaps nowhere is it more difficult to beat Djokovic than it is in Melbourne. He is a five-time champion and four of his titles have come in the last five years. Seppi stunned Federer at this stage in 2015, but lightning will not strike twice for the underdog.

Djokovic in 3.

(26) Guillermo Garcia-Lopez vs. (7) Kei Nishikori: Nishikori has never made it past the Australian Open quarters, but he has also reached at least the fourth round on four straight occasions. Garcia-Lopez probably isn’t the one to end that streak–at least not on this surface, even though the Spaniard is an all-court player. Nishikori is too good right now and to good on hard courts. The Japanese star has been dominant so far in taking out Philipp Kohlschreiber and Austin Krajicek.

Nishikori in 3.

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

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andreas Seppi, Atp World Tour, AusOpen 2016, Australian Open, David Goffin, Dominic Thiem, GRIGOR DIMITROV, Guillermo Garcia Lopez, Kei Nishikori, Melbourne tennis, Men's tennis, Nick Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Roberto Bautista Agut, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych

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caea68250f004da says:

January 21, 2016 at 3:54 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@Dimonator’s #Tennis Picks For Day 5 At The #AustralianOpen, Including Federer Vs. Dimitrov
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