The Official Australian Open 2013 thread

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by monfed

I totally forgot good ole Birdy,my bad. Yea you're right no TBerd/Murray in Fred's half,please.

The way I see it, Djokovic, Murray and Berdych are the toughest opponents in that order for me in this current stage in Federer's career. (Not counting Nadal, since he is not playing there now.)

The worst case scenario is a repeat of his USO draw, when he had to play all three in a row....it could happen again.

I think Roger will be happy with Tsonga. I think he will even pick Del Potro over Berdych, since he had recent success in slams against him, including last year in Melbourne.

His ideal draw would be Tipsy in the quarters, Ferrer in the semis, and then if he had to choose between Murray and Nole, he would want to avoid Nole at all costs.

[monfed]

Originally Posted by Hitman

The way I see it, Djokovic, Murray and Berdych are the toughest opponents in that order for me in this current stage in Federer's career. (Not counting Nadal, since he is not playing there now.)

The worst case scenario is a repeat of his USO draw, when he had to play all three in a row....it could happen again.

I think Roger will be happy with Tsonga. I think he will even pick Del Potro over Berdych, since he had recent success in slams against him, including last year in Melbourne.

His ideal draw would be Tipsy in the quarters, Ferrer in the semis, and then if he had to choose between Murray and Nole, he would want to avoid Nole at all costs.

I fully agree with your assessment,bud. May it work out for Roger,really think he deserves a 5th AO given the painful losses he's suffered here.

[smoledman]

Berdych and Del Potro will be huge factors.

[ShoeShiner]

Hope Fed can get one more AO title.

[vandre]

hewitt ftw !/ although i voted for tipsy!

[Big_Dangerous]

Originally Posted by monfed

I fully agree with your assessment,bud. May it work out for Roger,really think he deserves a 5th AO given the painful losses he's suffered here.

Well let's be honest Djokovic and Nadal were just flat out better than him those days.

But with Nadal out there's a huge opportunity for someone outside the top 4 to make a Semi-final appearance.

[merwy]

When this thread was just made I voted for Murray, but I'm leaning more towards Djokovic now. He did have a lot of family related issues last year and he still managed to finish the year so well. He looks really confident and I'm afraid we might face a Djokovic that comes close to 2011 level.

[Atherton2003]

I still vote for Nadal, even though he isn't playing.

[smoledman]

RF will win it.

[-RF-]

Originally Posted by smoledman

RF will win it.

I will.

[Justin Side]

I'll take whichever of the top 2 doesn't draw Andy Murray in the SF. Hope it's Djokovic, cause I don't like arrogant Swiss goat's.

[Rock Strongo]

Originally Posted by RAFA2005RG

Federer is the only player in the top 4 with no chance of winning the Australian Open.

Oh you...

[veroniquem]

Who are the most dangerous players at AO apart from Djoko, Murray and Fed? I would say Delpo, Berd, Tsonga (in no particular order) and in the dangerous outsiders category: Raonic, Nishi, Cilic, maybe Tomic (especially in an early round). Anyone else?

[PeteD]

Dangerous outsider is spelled J-E-R-Z-Y

[merwy]

Originally Posted by PeteD

Dangerous outsider is spelled J-E-R-Z-Y

I wonder how he will do. I have no expectations at all. Wouldn't be surprised if he made it until the 4th round, wouldn't be surprised if he went out in the first round to a qualifier. It would surprise me though if he made the quarters or better.

[joeri888]

Originally Posted by veroniquem

Who are the most dangerous players at AO apart from Djoko, Murray and Fed? I would say Delpo, Berd, Tsonga (in no particular order) and in the dangerous outsiders category: Raonic, Nishi, Cilic, maybe Tomic (especially in an early round). Anyone else?

Certainly Ferrer is more dangerous than someone like Tomic or even Cilic. The surface is slow, and Ferrer had an awesome end of the year.

Other than this, I don't see many players that could make a semifinal.

[thejackal]

been previewing the seeded players at the AO for another site. dug up a lot of stats and found some interesting trends

http://tennisconnected.com/home/2013...-of-2006-2008/

[veroniquem]

Originally Posted by joeri888

Certainly Ferrer is more dangerous than someone like Tomic or even Cilic. The surface is slow, and Ferrer had an awesome end of the year.

Other than this, I don't see many players that could make a semifinal.

Ferrer will give a tough match to any top player but I don't see him getting a win vs any of the top 3. Come crunch time, he's not up to it. Whereas the others could cause a suprise upset in the early rounds. Not saying it's likely but it's possible. The only one Ferrer could upset is Delpo and Delpo is not quite a favorite for the title imo. (Almagro could also upset a guy like Berd btw)

[dlk]

When pressed, Djoko. But would like to see Murray.

[veroniquem]

The 2 favorites imo. Even Fed is a bit of an outsider there for me.