Australian Open Predictions: Day Three

Australian Open Predictions: Day Three, Brandon

We are officially into the second round of the Australian Open and I share the lead atop the predictions rankings. I was plagued mostly by the Wawrinka quarter yesterday, with a record of 11-5, I found more success with the Djokovic quarter, successfully picking 14 matches correctly.

Just a few notes: I was very impressed with John Isner’s match against Jimmy Wang. Isner looked great in terms of his serve, as usual, but his forehand found the lines and his fitness looked in order. With the way the American played yesterday, he could potentially find himself in a fourth round matchup against the world No. 1, Novak Djokovic (and what a match that would be!).

The Nishikori-Almagro match, couldn’t have been any tighter in the first two sets. The Spaniard gave Kei all he could handle, but the 2014 U.S. Open finalist fought through winning in straight sets.

I was a little surprised with how easily Dolgopolov went down, not surprised that Bellucci pushed Ferrer to four sets and lastly a little disappointed that Monfils had to go five sets. Now lets get to round two and day three predictions.

Australian Open Predictions So Far:

average out of 32

Brandon – 25, 25 = 25

Nate – 24, 26 =25

Geoff – 23, 26 =24.5

Brandon Roertgen’s Round 2 Predictions

1st Half, Nadal’s Quarter

Berdych (7) d. Melzer

Troicki d. Mayer (26)

Kohlschreiber (22) d. Tomic

Groth d. Kokkinakis

Kokkinakis pulled the thriller upset against Gulbis in round one the other day with the Aussie crowd behind him, however, today will be a bit different. Both Groth and Kokkinakis are Australian and the crowd will be behind both of them. I am taking Groth in this one for a few reasons. When we last saw Groth on the big stage in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the 2014 U.S. Open against Roger Federer in round two, he didn’t crumble under pressure. He played a well orchestrated match and had a strong game plan, which saw him even go up a break on the Swiss maestro in the third set. In the end, the Fed Express broke back and won the match in straights, but a relatively tight three sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Groth has an overwhelming serve and he appears to play very confidently, he will win in three or four sets.

Anderson (14) d. Berankis

Anderson stumbled slightly in the third set in his first round match, but regrouped and won relatively easily in four. Over the past few years, Anderson has been consistent in all aspects of his game and he usually makes a strong run into the Round of 16 at least.

Gasquet (24) d. Duckworth

After reaching the semi finals of the 2013 U.S. Open, Gasquet fell off the map with other younger stars like Dimitrov and Nishikori rising. In his first round match, against Carlos Berlocq he was in complete cruise control. After this dismantling, maybe the Frenchman is back.

Rosol d. Sela

I’m taking Rosol because I think he is relishing an opportunity to play Nadal in the third round.

Nadal (3) d. Smyczek

After what wasn’t, but should have been a tough first round match, I think Nadal will roll in this one. If Rosol can make it through Sela, this would set up a third round match between Rosol and Nadal.

1st Half, Federer’s Quarter

Murray (6) d. Matosevic

Klizan (32) d. Sousa

Goffin (20) d. Baghdatis

It has been quite a couple of years for the Belgian, ever since arriving on the scene as a lucky loser, Goffin has made waves around the tour. Now he is ranked No. 22 and looking to make a potential deep run at the Open.

Dimitrov (10) d. Lacko

Roger-Vasselin d. Jaziri

Karlovic (23) d. Kyrgios

Dr. Ivo came off a great week in Doha, taking out Novak Djokovic and making it all the way to the final before falling to David Ferrer. Karlovic has a powerful serve, but also strong ground strokes and a decent break game. The experience will be all too much for the young Aussie.

Seppi d. Chardy (29)

Federer (2) d. Bolleli

Next: Lob and Smash 2015 Grand Slam Predictions

More from Lob and Smash

Home/Andy Murray