After enduring blowouts and beatdowns for most of the event, the top half of the Australian Open men’s and women’s draws finally, and I mean finally, gets interesting with some intriguing matchups. Here are my quick picks.
Venus Williams vs. Na Li.
On paper, Venus should take this one even though Na Li did beat her the last time they played at the Beijing Olympics. As long as Venus serves well and keeps moving forward, it could be a short day. But in the back of her mind, she knows she will probably face her little sister in the next round. And that could be enough of a distraction to force this into three. Venus in two sets.
Serena Williams vs. Victoria Azarenka.
After her serving clinic against Sam Stosur, Serena’s path to repeat as AO Champion has gotten very complicated. Today she takes on Azarenka who almost knocked Serena out of the AO last year before falling ill. Since then Azarenka has gained more press for her temper than her results. It could be close for awhile but Serena should prevail. But she’ll have to play with the knowledge that she could face her big sister next round and then likely a certain Belgian in the final. Serena in two.
Roger Federer vs. Nikolay Davydenko.
Davydenko claimed after his lackluster win over Verdasco that this was his first time on the AO “center court”. Davydenko’s rise from bit player to AO contender has earned him many new fans, especially with his wit, but is he really ready to take out Federer especially if it gets close? After having lost to the Russian twice now, Federer will channel a “Serena-like” beatdown to make sure the Russian knows his place in the tennis family. Federer in three.
Novak Djokovic vs. Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.
A rematch of the ’08 final, this certainly has the potential for a truly Oscar worthy performance from two of the game’s great “actors”. But “Nole” will be all business as he wants to prove he should be a contender for No.1. Djokovic in four.
No related posts.
Comments on this entry are closed.