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Hello readers,
Sadly, due to immense schoolwork, and my own tennis season that has begun, I will not be able to continually put effort into my match summaries, weekly roundups, and other special features. In short, I will hope to return to normal coverage for the grass court season! Everyone enjoy the spring of tennis we have coming up, and I will see you all soon.
(8) Nishikori d. (22) Carreno Busta
6-7(8), 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, 7-6(10-8)
Another instant classic for the AO this year, once again involving Kei Nishikori. Carreno Busta looked very energetic in sets 1 and 2, pounding winners, including a smooth forehand up the line on set point in the tiebreak. However, Nishikori came roaring back, with multiple breaks of serve in the 4th set, to force a decider. However, as Nishikori tried to finish the match off, Carreno Busta was able to force two break points, and convert on the second one to force a tiebreak. At 8-5 in the breaker, a questionable call from the umpire which should have allowed PCB to replay the point gave Nishikori the point, and Nishikori ran away with it from there. Lots of fight from PCB, just an incredibly tough break for him
Nishikori plays Djokovic tomorrow.
(1)Djokovic d. (15) Medvedev
6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3
Djokovic looked much better today than he had in the first three rounds, despite the scoreline. Medvedev was punishing his groundstrokes today, and he and Djokovic traded lots of long rallies throughout all 4 sets. Djokovic should have probably won this one in straights, however, he blew a 4-1 lead in the second, after having a point to go up 5-1 as well. Medvedev was just thrown up an impenetrable wall in front of him today, with not too much to do.
Djokovic plays Nishikori next.
(16) Raonic d. (4) Zverev
6-1, 6-1, 7-6(4)
Zverev got absolutely demolished today by Raonic’s serve and forehand combo in the first two sets, and got nothing going on his own to start. Raonic looked like the 4 seed instead of the young German, even bringing out some nice slice backhands to go with the two shots mentioned above. Zverev looked tired, even distressed at times as well, prolonging the concerns about his possible “Slam Curse”.
Raonic plays Pouille next.
(28) Pouille d. (11) Coric
6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(2)
This was a brilliant performance from the Frenchman, who has never before won a match here in Australia, and now on to his first Major Quarterfinal. After Coric came out firing in the first set, Pouille started to dictate the points with his shotmaking, and continually pass Coric when he came to the net. (only 54% net points won for the Croat). Lots of good passing shots from the Pouille backhand, and continuous, deep forehands that went for 11 winners from the baseline.
Pouille sees Raonic on Monday.
As per usual, come back later for a preview of Day 9, and more continuous tennis coverage!
(1) Djokovic d. (25) Shapovalov
6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0
Djokovic showed too much consistency for the youngster today, with Shapo committing a large number of unforced errors throughout the match. Djokovic got a bit frustrated in the third set, and his level dropped dramatically to give the Canadian the set but returned to form to bagel the decider. Djokovic’s level will need to come up soon, as none of his first three matches have given us any indication of him being able to win a Grand Slam.
He faces Medvedev Monday.
(28) Pouille d. (WC) Popyrin
7-6(3), 6-3, 6-7(10), 4-6, 6-3
This was a very fun match to watch, especially as a neutral. For the first couple of sets, Pouille made sure to finish points well, however almost blew the match, especially after having match points in the third set breaker. Popyrin should go home with a lot of encouraging positives, with his ball striking getting very clean, especially with one of the shots of the tournament with the smash winner off of a smash. However, he really did almost come back, which he is going to be disappointed in not doing so.
Pouille plays Coric Monday.
Popyrin’s shot of the day above.
(23) Carreno Busta d. (12) Fognini
6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
This was a let down from Fognini, as he had been looking pretty in form through the first two rounds. Carreno Busta got a lot of unforced errors to get to the first two sets, however he gave up the break at love at 1-2 in the third to throw away the third set. However, Fognini returned to his normal, error prone ways for the fourth set after throwing away a 3-0 lead in the set, and Carreno Busta cruised to a second fourth round in a row by breaking at love.
He plays Nishikori next.
(4) Zverev d. (WC) Bolt
6-3, 6-3, 6-2
Bolt finally met his match, as Zverev got a good respite in the third round to cruise on to the second week, a rarity for him. Bolt’s lefty forehand was completely absorbed by the Zverev backhand which did not let him hit the winners he needed to to get the win over the German.
Zverev plays Raonic Monday.
(15) Medvedev d. (21) Goffin
6-2, 7-6(3), 6-3
(8) Nishikori d. Sousa
7-6(6), 6-1, 6-2
(16) Raonic d. Herbert
6-4, 6-4, 7-6(6)
(11) Coric d. Krajinovic
2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
Check back later for tonight’s preview!
(1) Djokovic vs. (25) Shapovalov
Shapo has a lot of flair and is developing some real top level weapons, but Djokovic should have enough in the tank to put the youngster away.
Prediction-
Djokovic 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1
(4) Zverev vs. (WC) Bolt
Bolt has played well, but this quality will be a step up, and so will the occasion. Zverev should make quick work of him here.
Prediction-
Zverev, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2
(15) Medvedev vs. (21) Goffin
Medvedev has big weapons that suit Australia very well. Goffin, however does not. The Russian should be able to push through the defensive play of Goffin into the Round of 16.
Prediction-
Medvedev, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6
(3) Federer d. Fritz
6-2, 7-5, 6-2
This played out almost exactly as expected. Federer, getting a extra advantage with the roof being closed on RLA, completely dictated play throughout the first and most of the second set. Multiple errors early from Fritz gave Fed two breaks, which he coasted on all the way to 4-4, where at deuce, Federer, under pressure in his service game was able to outlast Fritz in a 25-shot rally, then break him at 5-5 to take the second set. The third set was about the same as the first, the baseliner in Fritz not able to handle the changes of pace and spin Federer added in. Fritz’s day will come, but today was not that day.
Federer plays Tsitsipas tomorrow.
(6) Cilic d. (26) Verdasco
4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(8), 6-3
Ohhh Fernando Fernando Fernando. Why do you do this time and time again?? Obviously the disaster of a third set did not help him, but after getting Cilic to miss a backhand into the net for a mini break and a match point at 8-7, he double faulted. His look tells it all.
From there, Cilic took the fourth set and rode the wave of momentum to the win. Truly disappointing from Verdasco, a match he really should have won. His level of play was very high in the first couple of sets, especially serving well with 27 aces during the match (how ironic).
Cilic gets RBA tomorrow.
(2) Nadal d. (28) De Minaur
6-1, 6-2, 6-4
The predictions were a bit off with this one, to say the least. The lack of a weapon that was discussed in the prediction was really exposed against Rafa today. Rafa’s forehand was on fire from the start, with De Minaur having to expend lots of energy very early to win a couple points. Nadal’s ability to keep DeMin’s serve in play helped him as well, making sure Alex had to play very hard from the start. Good performance from the Spaniard.
Nadal plays Berdych on Sunday.
(14) Tsitsipas d. (19) Bashilasvili
6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-4
Lots of great ballstriking on tap for this match, one which was very fun to watch. Niko is one of the most underrated ballstrikers on tour, especially when he gets into a groove during a rally. After splitting sets, Tsitsipas thought he had won the third when a confusing let was called on his ace to finish the set, allowing Bashilasvili to break and get to 5-5 in the set. However, Tsitsipas showed great fortitude to hold on into the breaker and clinched the set on a nice dropper and then lob. Bashilasvili seemed to be about out of gas by then, needing a trainer and going pretty quietly into the night.
Tsitsipas plays Federer next round.
(22) Bautista Agut d. (10) Khachanov
6-4, 7-5, 6-4
RBA gets a straight sets win! Khachanov looked sluggish and tired at times during this match, and RBA took full opportunity to get to the fourth round, a rarity for him. The Spaniard was dictating play for most of the match, especially with his backhand.
RBA plays Cilic next round.
Berdych d. (18) Schwartzman
5-7, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4
Tiafoe d. Seppi
6-7(3), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
(20) Dimitrov d. Fabbiano
7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4
Up The Line Tennis 