ANDY MURRAY, MILOS RAONIC ADVANCE TO AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS QUARTERFINALS, ROGER FEDERER TO FACE TOMAS BERDYCH

Written by: Staff on 25th January 2016

ANDY MURRAY, MILOS RAONIC ADVANCE TO AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS QUARTERFINALS, ROGER FEDERER TO FACE TOMAS BERDYCH

epa05124263 Milos Raonic of Canada serves to Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2016. EPA/MAST IRHAM |

By Ricky Dimon

Milos Raonic became the first player since 2012, other than Djokovic, to beat Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open when the Canadian prevailed 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3 during fourth-round action on Monday afternoon. Raonic cracked 24 aces and benefited from a poor serving performance by Wawrinka to get the job done after three hours and 45 minutes.

The world No. 14 dominated the first two sets and had break chances to go ahead in the third but could not convert. Thus began Wawrinka’s comeback, which took the Swiss through sets three and four and to a 2-2 deadlock in the fifth. Raonic regained control by breaking at 3-2 when Wawrinka sent a forehand passing shot well long.

“I’m very happy with the way I played, the way I competed, the way I turned things around after sort of having the momentum against me going into the fifth,” Raonic said. “I’m happy the situation I’ve put myself in. At the same time, as happy as I am, my mind’s already on what’s the process for my next challenge.”

The next one will come against Gael Monfils on Wednesday, as Monfils, Andy Murray, and David Ferrer joined Raonic in the quarterfinals. Monfils held off Andrey Kuznetsov in four sets, while Murray and Ferrer advanced in straights at the expense of Bernard Tomic and John Isner, respectively.

Gael Monfils of France returns to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during their fourth round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2016. EPA/MADE NAGI

Quarterfinal action will begin on Tuesday with Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych squaring off for the 22nd time in their careers. Federer is leading the head-to-head series 15-6, including 4-2 in Grand Slams. Somewhat surprisingly, they have not faced each other in a major since the 2012 U.S. Open, where Berdych prevailed 7-6(1), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Both of their previous Melbourne showdowns have gone Federer’s way; 6-4, 7-6(7), 6-3 in 2008 and 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in 2009.

“I have to play well,” the 34-year-old Swiss commented after crushing David Goffin during fourth-round action on Sunday. “I think the court suits him. I think this sort of flatter bounce and faster court is good for his serves, good for his returns. It’s a fast court. It’s going to be a good match. We’re both going to play aggressive; this court pays off when you do play good and aggressive tennis.”

Federer preceded his victory over Goffin by taking out Nikoloz Basilashvili, Alexandr Dolgopolov, and Grigor Dimitrov. Only Dimitrov has stolen a set, and Federer quickly bounced back from that blemish to crush the Bulgarian 6-1, 6-4 in sets three and four.

Berdych stormed through the first eight sets of his fortnight in similar fashion, cruising past Yuki Bhambri and Mirza Basic before storming to a big lead against Nick Kyrgios. The Aussie eventually took that contest to four sets but never seriously threatened his favored opponent. But a real test is exactly what Berdych got in the last 16, as he had to go the distance to scrape past Roberto Bautista Agut 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

“It’s always difficult to say something else or something new,” the sixth-ranked Czech said when asked about going up against Federer. “I mean, it’s Roger.”

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

Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic plays a backhand against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 22 January 2016. EPA/TRACEY NEARMY

Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a backhand to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 22 January 2016. EPA/TRACEY NEARMY

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andy Murray, ATP Melbourne, Australian Open, David Ferrer, Gael Monfils, milos raonic, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Sports, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych

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Vamos_feli says:

January 25, 2016 at 11:30 am

RT @10sBalls_com: #Murray, #Raonic Advance To @AustralianOpen #Tennis Quarterfinals, #Federer To Face #Berdych
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dusanVemic says:

January 25, 2016 at 4:31 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: #Murray, #Raonic Advance To @AustralianOpen #Tennis Quarterfinals, #Federer To Face #Berdych
https://t.co/VROlQU2Qgv http…