King No1e
G.O.A.T.
The 2019 Australian Open has reached its midpoint, and from each of the 8 sections stand 2 players, ready to battle for a spot in the final rounds.
Here's my take:
Section 1: (1)Djokovic vs (15)Medvedev.
Medvedev is a young gun, hasn't been beaten into submission by Fedalovic that older players have gone through, so there won't be any mental blocks here. Djokovic will need to be aggressive and control rallies, but his results at Melbourne against the toughest opponents speak for themselves. The chase for a 7th piece of sporting immortality continues.
Djokovic in 4 sets.
Section 2: (23)Carreno Busta vs (8)Nishikori
Carreno Busta has been consistent over the last year and a half, and showed positive signs in his win over Fognini, but Nishikori has the added confidence, the better shotmaking, and more experience.
Nishikori in 4 sets
Section 3: (4)Zverev vs (16)Raonic
Without a doubt, the biggest blockbuster of the day. The 2018 World Champion is the favorite on paper, showing he belongs among the best in the game last year, while Raonic has struggled with his form since the beginning of 2018. However, Zverev has still not escaped his Grand Slam curse while Raonic has seen the championship match once before at Wimbledon. While Zverev's solid baseline game is designed to counter serve-volleyers like Raonic, he will have to be at his absolute best to hold off Raonic's aggression which proved too much for Kyrgios and Wawrinka. This is guaranteed to be an epic match, but the matchup and last year's results point to Sascha.
Zverev in 5 sets
Section 4: (11)Coric vs (28)Pouille
Coric has stayed solid and worked himself up quietly into the top 20 last year, taking down Federer twice to prove his prowess against the top players. He looks a comfortable favorite against Lucas Pouille.
Coric in 3 sets
Section 5: (6)Cilic vs (22)Bautista Agut
Another blockbuster looks on the cards as the 2018 finalist faces off against the red-hot Bautista Agut, who sent Andy Murray packing in the first round and defeated Djokovic, Berdych, and Wawrinka to take the Doha title. Cilic, in contrast, hasn't shown the same form of 2018, coming dangerously close to defeat against Verdasco in the 3R. The signs point to the dangerous underdog, whose flat hitting and relentless baseline attack look likely to overwhelm Cilic.
Bautista Agut in 4 sets.
Section 6: (14)Tsitsipas vs (3)Federer
In this ultimate battle of youth vs experience, the rising Greek star will face his toughest test yet against the ageless defending champ. Although 2018 saw Federer struggle in his race against time, the fact remains: he is #3 in the world and he is tennis's most iconic exponent. While Tsitsipas will surely get his day in the sun soon enough, Federer is going nowhere.
Federer in 4 sets
Section 7: Tiafoe vs (20)Dimitrov
Tiafoe has cut his way through a difficult draw, upsetting Anderson and outlasting Seppi, and is ready as ever to take another big name in 2017's World Champion Dimitrov. But Grigor has shown this tournament that he hasn't gone anywhere since ascent to #3 in the rankings, and the odds will be against the American underdog. While the outcome is not certain, one thing is: it will be a cracker of a match.
Dimitrov in 5 sets
Section 8: Berdych vs (2)Nadal
Two old rivals meet again for the 24th time. Berdych turns back the clock to beat Kyle Edmund and Diego Sebastian Schwartzman in a return to top form, but he will be faced with the near-impossible task few have achieved: defeating El Matador himself. The matchup, the rankings, and the history all point toward one outcome here.
Nadal in 3 sets
What do you think? Agree? Disagree? What happens next?
Discuss
Here's my take:
Section 1: (1)Djokovic vs (15)Medvedev.
Medvedev is a young gun, hasn't been beaten into submission by Fedalovic that older players have gone through, so there won't be any mental blocks here. Djokovic will need to be aggressive and control rallies, but his results at Melbourne against the toughest opponents speak for themselves. The chase for a 7th piece of sporting immortality continues.
Djokovic in 4 sets.
Section 2: (23)Carreno Busta vs (8)Nishikori
Carreno Busta has been consistent over the last year and a half, and showed positive signs in his win over Fognini, but Nishikori has the added confidence, the better shotmaking, and more experience.
Nishikori in 4 sets
Section 3: (4)Zverev vs (16)Raonic
Without a doubt, the biggest blockbuster of the day. The 2018 World Champion is the favorite on paper, showing he belongs among the best in the game last year, while Raonic has struggled with his form since the beginning of 2018. However, Zverev has still not escaped his Grand Slam curse while Raonic has seen the championship match once before at Wimbledon. While Zverev's solid baseline game is designed to counter serve-volleyers like Raonic, he will have to be at his absolute best to hold off Raonic's aggression which proved too much for Kyrgios and Wawrinka. This is guaranteed to be an epic match, but the matchup and last year's results point to Sascha.
Zverev in 5 sets
Section 4: (11)Coric vs (28)Pouille
Coric has stayed solid and worked himself up quietly into the top 20 last year, taking down Federer twice to prove his prowess against the top players. He looks a comfortable favorite against Lucas Pouille.
Coric in 3 sets
Section 5: (6)Cilic vs (22)Bautista Agut
Another blockbuster looks on the cards as the 2018 finalist faces off against the red-hot Bautista Agut, who sent Andy Murray packing in the first round and defeated Djokovic, Berdych, and Wawrinka to take the Doha title. Cilic, in contrast, hasn't shown the same form of 2018, coming dangerously close to defeat against Verdasco in the 3R. The signs point to the dangerous underdog, whose flat hitting and relentless baseline attack look likely to overwhelm Cilic.
Bautista Agut in 4 sets.
Section 6: (14)Tsitsipas vs (3)Federer
In this ultimate battle of youth vs experience, the rising Greek star will face his toughest test yet against the ageless defending champ. Although 2018 saw Federer struggle in his race against time, the fact remains: he is #3 in the world and he is tennis's most iconic exponent. While Tsitsipas will surely get his day in the sun soon enough, Federer is going nowhere.
Federer in 4 sets
Section 7: Tiafoe vs (20)Dimitrov
Tiafoe has cut his way through a difficult draw, upsetting Anderson and outlasting Seppi, and is ready as ever to take another big name in 2017's World Champion Dimitrov. But Grigor has shown this tournament that he hasn't gone anywhere since ascent to #3 in the rankings, and the odds will be against the American underdog. While the outcome is not certain, one thing is: it will be a cracker of a match.
Dimitrov in 5 sets
Section 8: Berdych vs (2)Nadal
Two old rivals meet again for the 24th time. Berdych turns back the clock to beat Kyle Edmund and Diego Sebastian Schwartzman in a return to top form, but he will be faced with the near-impossible task few have achieved: defeating El Matador himself. The matchup, the rankings, and the history all point toward one outcome here.
Nadal in 3 sets
What do you think? Agree? Disagree? What happens next?
Discuss
) Honestly, who the hell taught him those strokes?!
