RICKY’S PICKS FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS SEMIFINALS: NOVAK DJOKOVIC VS. ROGER FEDERER IN THEIR 45TH MEETING

Written by: Staff on 27th January 2016

RICKY'S PICKS FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS SEMIFINALS: NOVAK DJOKOVIC VS. ROGER FEDERER IN THEIR 45TH MEETING

epa05126282 Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, during their quarter finals round at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 26 January 2016. |

By Ricky Dimon

It will be the semifinal showdown that everyone expected when the Australian Open draw ceremony was held almost two weeks ago. And it will–at least temporarily–break a tie in the head-to-head series between two of the greatest players of all time. It’s Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer.

The two double-digit Grand Slam winners will be facing each other for the 45th time in their careers on Thursday night. The head-to-head series is all tied up at 22-22 after a pair of 2015 World Tour Finals showdowns failed to settle the score. Federer took a brief 22-21 advantage by upsetting Djokovic 7-5, 6-2 in round-robin competition before the Serb came out on top when the stakes were raised in the final with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

This is their fourth collision in Melbourne. Federer prevailed 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 in the 2007 fourth round before Djokovic’s breakout tournament–resulting in his first major title in 2008–saw him upset the Swiss 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(5) in the semis. The world No. 1 has won thee slam matches in a row at Federer’s expense since losing to his rival in the 2012 Wimbledon semifinals. Djokovic prevailed in the 2014 Wimbledon final (five sets), the 2015 Wimbledon final (four sets), and the 2015 U.S. Open final (four sets).

“Any round feels like finals because of the fact that we are–you know, big rivals,” Djokovic commented. “We (have) played so many times against each other. There’s a lot of tension. There’s a lot at stake. I’m expecting a great fight.”

Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Gilles Simon of France during their fourth round match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 24 January 2016. EPA/FILIP SINGER

This mouth-watering matchup was almost denied in improbable fashion by massive underdog Gilles Simon. The Frenchman benefited from a shocking 100 unforced errors off the Djokovic racket to push their fourth-round affair two five sets, but the favorite finally survived 6-3, 6-7(1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. That was preceded by straight-set defeats of Hyeon Chung, Quentin Halys, and Andreas Seppi, and followed by a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 rout of Kei Nishikori on Tuesday.

Djokovic did not practice in between his stinker against Simon and his much cleaner performance against Nishikori.

“I’ve played a lot of tennis–maybe even too much,” the defending champion said. “There was no concern for me that I would not feel the ball today. It was about getting recovery; physically, mentally…just being able to step out on the court today feeling fresh and having that intensity. I think it was the right decision.”

Federer dropped only one set through his first five matches and he bounced back nicely from a minor hiccup against Grigor Dimitrov to win that tussle 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. The 34-year-old Swiss also boasts straight-set victories over Nikoloz Basilashvili, Alexandr Dolgopolov, David Goffin, and Tomas Berdych.

Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during their quarter finals round on day nine of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 26 January 2016. EPA/LUKAS COCH

“I feel like I’m competitive at the top,” he commented. “I can beat all the guys on tour. It’s nice now that in the last three slams that I’ve been as consistent as I have been. I’m playing good tennis; fun tennis for me, anyway. I really enjoy being able to come to the net more like back in the day. So I’m very pleased.”

Recent head-to-head meetings, however, favor Djokovic. Additionally, this has to be considered the Serb’s favorite and most successful tournament. Best-of-five situations also give an edge to him. Federer, as always, will make this competitive; but Djokovic is likely to get the job done.

Prediction: Djokovic in 4