Australian Open 2014 Day 5 Matches to Watch

Day 4 of the Australian Open was pure drama, as heat stoppages had players almost fainting, and we saw five 5-setters go past midnight as the fans were treated to some fantastic tennis. Here’s hoping day 5 lives up to the expectations, as I take a look at the matches to keep an eye on.

Serena Williams (1) vs. Daniela Hantuchova (31)

Serena and Daniela have had some good encounters in the past, but haven’t played each other since 2009. The world no.1 has started the year in ominous form, and has looked flawless in the first two rounds. Hantuchova had to win a marathon third set 12-10 in the second round, and it will be hard for the Slovakian to pose many challenges for Serena. Nonetheless, it should be an attractive match because Hantuchova will at least come to the net more often, ensuring some entertaining exchanges for the fans to watch.

Jeremy Chardy (29) vs. David Ferrer (3)

Two of the flattest hitters in men’s tennis come up against each other as Jeremy Chardy takes on David Ferrer. Both players came through intense four-setters in the second round, and in technical terms its hard to differentiate between the two. However, when it comes to speed, stamina and a never-say-die attitude, Ferrer is streets ahead of Chardy. It is this advantage that Ferrer will rely upon in a match he should see through in four sets.

Samantha Stosur (17) vs. Ana Ivanovic (14)

This is clearly the most difficult match of the women’s third round, as home favourite Stosur takes on 2008 runner-up Ivanovic. Both players come into the match in excellent form after convincing victories in the first two rounds, following up on winning starts to the year. Stosur leads the head-to-head 4-3, and clearly has the edge on serve. Ivanovic has the better baseline game, but in a match between two players who both struggle with nerves, it could come down to which player manages to maintain their composure in a match that should go the distance.

Tommy Robredo (17) vs. Richard Gasquet (9)

Gasquet looked in terrific touch in his second round win over Nikolay Davydenko. Impressively, Gasquet managed to stay composed in long rallies, waiting for the right moment to unleash his fantastic array of winners. The Frenchman will need more of the same against the veteran Robredo. The Spaniard is consistent from the baseline without being flashy, so Gasquet will once again have to be patient from the baseline or risk hitting unforced errors against Robredo. It is going to be a tough match, but I think Gasquet should have enough to see the match through in four sets.

Florian Mayer vs. Jerzy Janowicz (20)

A match between two tall men on the ATP tour sees the tricky Florian Mayer against the big serving Jerzy Janowicz. Both men have spent a lot of time on court so far, and the last thing they would have wanted was playing at 11 am on what is expected to be the last hot day at Melbourne this year. Janowicz has the bigger game, but I think Mayer’s variety and the ability to slow the game down could prove to be a crucial advantage. I think this match is too close to call, with both players equally capable of brilliance and unreliability.

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Australian Open 2014 Day 3 Matches to Watch

Day 2 of the Australian Open saw a mixture of titanic tussles and heat-induced retirements. Unfortunately for the players, the forecast for day 3 is also extremely hot. That being said, there are an assortment of good matches to look forward to on Wednesday.

Na Li (4) vs. Belinda Bencic

On paper, Bencic is no match for the two time Australian open runner-up. However, this match does offer a nice contrast between experience and youth. Li would dearly like to win an Australian Open after coming so close on two occasions, especially when she dominated the first half of last year’s final. With her forehand in fine fettle, Li was extremely efficient in the first round, while Bencic defeated veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm in the first round in a tough three-setter. The 16-year old Swiss has drawn inevitable comparisons with Martina Hingis, and should provide glimpses of an exciting future in an entertaining match against the fourth seed.

Samantha Stosur (17) vs. Tsvetana Pironkova

Despite Stosur having a 3-0 head-to-head record against Pironkova, this match will be a test for the former US Open champion. The Australian will have all the support she needs, but Pironkova can be an extremely infuriating opponent. The Bulgarian doesn’t possess a single big shot in her armoury, but that hasn’t stopped her from chipping and slicing her way to the quarters and semis at Wimbledon. Stosur clearly has the better game, and should proceed to the third round as long as she doesn’t commit too many unforced errors against the dangerous Pironkova.

Flavia Pennetta (28) vs. Monica Puig

Another match pitting a veteran against and up-and-comer sees Flavia Pennetta take on the tenacious Monica Puig. Pennetta clearly has experience and variety on her side, but if Puig gets into a rhythm from the baseline, she could possibly hit her way to an upset due to the prevailing conditions making the courts faster. An interesting encounter that could simply come down to how the players deal with the heat.

Sam Querrey vs. Ernests Gulbis (23)

A match between two players who probably should be ranked higher than they are at the current stage of their careers. Querrey was seen by many to be more talented than his compatriot John Isner, but a combination of personal issues and shaky confidence have resulted in a stagnant career so far. Gulbis has had the makings of a top ten player for the past three years, but the Latvian tends to give up too easily when the going gets tough. The 23rd seed has a fantastic all-round game that ideally should see him through. However, Querrey has the bigger serve, and if he can get Gulbis into a few tie-breaks, an upset is certainly on.

Nikolay Davydenko vs. Richard Gasquet (9)

A few years ago this match-up wouldn’t be out of place at the end of season Masters. In stead Davydenko and Gasquet go up against each other in the second round of a grand slam. While Davydenko still has remarkable consistency from the baseline, the Russian’s movement isn’t as good as it was in his prime, when he was number four in the world. Gasquet had an excellent second half of 2013, reaching the semis at the US Open and qualifying for the London Masters. In possession of one of the best single-handed backhands the game has seen, Gasquet will look to build on his success in 2014, and with Sergi Bruguera now in his corner, the Frenchman should be able to blend tactical discipline with his fantastic shot-making ability to progress into the next round.

Tommy Robredo (17) vs. Julien Benneteau

An exciting match between two veterans pits Robredo against Benneteau. Robredo had a heartwarming comeback in 2013, after the Spaniard suffered injury problems in 2011 and 2012. After making the quarters at the Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows last year, Robredo will be looking to have another good run in Melbourne. However, Benneteau will be a tricky opponent. With the outside courts playing really fast, the Frenchman could make this an unpredictable contest as his serve-and-volley style might deny Robredo the time to hit big shots from the baseline.

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US Open Men's Semifinals Preview

We are down to the men's final four at the US Open, and for the first time in years not a single grand slam featured all of the traditional big four in the semis. Nonetheless, we have two fascinating semifinals to look forward to and preview.

Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Stanislas Wawrinka (9)

When the draw came out, this semi was expected to be a repeat of last year's memorable final. In stead, after Stanislas Wawrinka's memorable performance against Andy Murray in the quarterfinals, it is the Swiss who takes on Novak Djokovic in the first semifinal. Rarely has Wawrinka played as well and with such consistency, as witnessed in his consecutive victories over Marcos Baghdatis, Tomas Berdych and Murray. Wawrinka hit 45 brilliant winners in the quarterfinal, and backed up a phenomenal 88% success on first serve points with a further 74% of points won at net. Remarkably, he didn't face a single break point despite only getting 55% of his first serves in. It's that stat plus the 37 unforced errors that could be an achilles heel against the world number one, who is unlikely to give away as many free points and commit as many unforced errors as Murray did. Djokovic however did get ruffled by Mikhail Youzhny as he lost his first set of the tournament, and if Wawrinka has the tenacity to continue going for his shots despite Djokovic's amazing ability to retrieve balls, then there is every opportunity that the crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium will rally behind him. A head-to-head of 12-2 in favour of Djokovic would suggest a dominant victory, but I genuinely believe there is a chance of a repeat of their titanic tussle at the Australian Open this year, when Djokovic narrowly won 12-10 in the fifth set. In that match Wawrinka hit 69 winners to Djokovic's 51, and both players broke each other seven times. If Wawrinka can match or possibly better his 14 backhand winners from that day, there is every chance he can cause an upset, however Djokovic's greater resilience and desire to win might just carry him through if the match indeed does go the distance.

Richard Gasquet (8) vs. Rafael Nadal (2)

After being denied the chance to play against Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, Richard Gasquet deprvied Rafael Nadal a chance to play good friend David Ferrer in the semifinals of the US Open with a fantastic performance in the quarterfinals. Often dismissed for not having the stomach for a fight, the mercurial Frenchman might finally have come of age, with two back-to-back five set victories against tough opponents. His come from behind victory against Milos Raonic in the fourth round was impressive enough, but the way he beat Ferrer in five sets after the Spaniard had all the momentum going into the decider, was arguably the most significant performance of his grand slam career. Gasquet's game was flowing with winners, especially with his beautiful single-handed backhand. When Gasquet is in the zone, few players can match him for artistry. The problem is that for all his artistry, his opponent is in the best hard court form of his life. Nadal's serve has yet to be broken in the tournament, and the performance he put in against Tommy Robredo in the quarterfinals was nothing short of staggering dominance. There isn't a single chink in his armour at this point in time, and Gasquet can't even hope for free points, as Nadal just doesn't throw away easy games. Tactically speaking, Nadal can at times face difficulties against opponents who are comfortable with their backhands as witnessed during his toughest match of the tournament when he lost a set against Philipp Kohlschreiber, however for Gasquet to maintain such an excellent standard for a full match against an opponent who he has never defeated before is surely asking too much. Expect the match to be punctuated with some breathtaking winners by both players, but eventually Nadal should come through in four sets to set up a chance to win his first grand slam outside clay in three years.

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US Open Men's Quarterfinals Bottom Half preview

It's down to the last eight in the men's draw, and I preview the first two quarterfinals at the US Open on Wednesday.

Richard Gasquet (8) vs. David Ferrer (4)

David Ferrer (Photo credit: y.caradec)

Gasquet showed a different side to his game as he came back from the brink to beat Milos Raonic in a titanic five-setter in the round of 16. Despite the talented Canadian hitting a remarkable 39 aces, the mercurial Frenchman hung in, and came through 7-5 in a nervous last set. A long battle takes a toll on a player and the worst opponent to face after such a tussle is the ultimate competitor - David Ferrer. Ferrer has been doing what he does best, winning some tough four-setters with his brand of dogged tennis. Gasquet will probably come out with all guns firing to start the match, but once Ferrer settles he should win against an opponent he leads 8-1 in their head-to-head, including a straight sets victory at the US Open last year.

Tommy Robredo (19) vs. Rafael Nadal (2)

Rafael Nadal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was so close yet ended up being so far. A first meeting between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer was one match away, but Tommy Robredo spoilt the party for tennis fans all over the world. Robredo hit 31 winners against Federer, but crucially escaped with the former champion only converting two out of sixteen break points. Nadal is unlikely to be as generous, even though the French Open champion remarkably needed 14 chances before he broke Phillip Kohlschreiber in the round of 16. Robredo won only 37% of his receiving points against Federer, and it is likely to be even lesser against Nadal who is the only player remaining in the draw yet to drop his serve. Robredo will relish playing a quarterfinal in the biggest stadium in the sport, but as tough as he will try to be, it will be a surprise if he takes a set, as Nadal looks to book another all-Spanish affair in the semifinals.

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US Open Men's Round of 16 Bottom Half preview

The men's round of 16 have been set at the US Open, and the bottom half of the draw features matches that should excite tennis fans all over on Labour Day.

Richard Gasquet (8) vs. Milos Raonic (10)

Gasquet is one of the artists on the men's tour, and his flowing one-handed backhand can regale fans and experts alike. The Frenchman was troubled in the last round by Dmitry Tursunov before the Russian retired midway through the fourth set, and might feel the physical effects against the impressive Milos Raonic. There were doubts about Raonic following up on his Rogers Cup final appearance at the US Open, but the Canadian has been extremely impressive at Flushing Meadows. Raonic generates immense power off his shots, but most pleasing to his team was the tactical variety he showed in his win against the tricky Feliciano Lopez in the last round. Gasquet probably has the better all round game at this point in time, but if the match goes longer than three sets, Raonic definitely can win as he possesses the edge on the serve in addition to his superior physicality.

Janko Tipsarevic (18) vs. David Ferrer (4)

Tipsarevic showed his experience and nous in his victory over young American hopeful Jack Sock, mixing his trademark running with some extravagant winners. The Serb enjoys playing on the faster courts at the US Open, as it is conducive to his shot making. Across the net however lies one of the toughest competitors in the game in David Ferrer. The fourth seed hasn't had a great summer on the hard courts, and hasn't been at his best at the Open either. Tipsarevic is exactly the kind of tricky opponent that Ferrer can be vulnerable to. If Tipsarevic is to have any chance of causing the upset he would have to do it in straight sets. If the match extends into a marathon, it will suit Ferrer due to his superior endurance and tenacity.

Roger Federer (7) vs. Tommy Robredo (19)

It feels like it was only a few years ago, that Federer would consistently draw Robredo in the quarterfinals of grand slams. The two veterans have fallen on tough times since their peak, however Federer's struggles are relative to the standards he has set as the greatest player to ever play the game. Robredo has had an Indian summer this year, doing remarkably well to rebound after overcoming off court physical difficulties. Robredo has made it to the round of 16 on the back of his will to win and determination, while Federer has simply coasted through, the sublime tennis seen during the first week in keeping with the benchmark he set during his reign at the top. I wouldn't be surprised if Robredo made at least one of the sets close as he is a fighter, but he doesn't have the physicality to make things difficult for Federer, and the Swiss maestro should book his place in the quarterfinals on the back of his superior variety.

Phillip Kohlschreiber (22) vs. Rafael Nadal (2)

When the draw was made, many were expecting this match-up to be a repeat of the Cincinnati Masters final between Rafael Nadal and John Isner. In stead, for the second straight year Kohlschreiber beat Isner in the third round of the US Open. The German has a snippy single-handed backhand, and also loves to mix up his shots as witnessed in the way he tactically outwitted Isner. Nadal is a different challenge altogether, as the second seed has simply continued the tremendous form he showed in winning Montreal and Cincinnati. The serve has more zip to it, and the extra aggression is continuing to pay dividends. Nadal would have faced a sterner test against Isner, and though Kohlschreiber won't feel intimidated pitting his backhand against the Spaniard's forehand, a dream quarterfinal between Nadal and Federer should be sealed on the back of another solid victory for the world number two.

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