Australian Open Predictions: Day Five

Australian Open Predictions: Day Five, Geoff

Round three of the Australian Open swings into action with a host of intriguing match-ups that could well add to the upsets we have already witnessed in Melbourne. Despite still being in the first week, the third round represents the first chance for seeds to face each other, which tends to guarantee a high level of tennis.

Yesterday was a solid one in terms of Australian Open predictions, although upsets continued to emerge from matches between lower ranked players. The top ten remain in tact as they so often do in the major and I don’t think Friday will be the day for this trend to end.

Australian Open Predictions So Far:

average out of 32 – later rounds worth more

Nate – 24, 26, 20, 26 = 24

Brandon – 25, 25, 18, 24 = 23

Geoff – 23, 26, 16, 24 = 21.3

Geoff Nichols’ Round 3 Predictions

1st Half, Nadal’s Quarter

Berdych (7) d. Troicki

Berdych has looked impressive so far an is clearly still motivated to make a breakthrough in a Grand Slam. Add in the mental high he will be on after announcing his engagement and he should beat Troicki, who could suffer from a lack of big match practice in recent months.

Tomic d. Groth

Another all-Australian clash that whatever the outcome will see a local player make if through to the second week, which is already a success story. I think Tomic has more potential to progress through the draw, but Groth is so hard to break with that lethal serve. Tomic has the talent and should get the win.

Anderson (14) d. Gasquet (24)

Gasquet seems to have put his disappointing 2014 behind him and that makes this contest a difficult one to call. You could argue that Anderson doesn’t really have the game to match his number 14 seeding, but his serve is so dominant that I could see him dispatching Gasquet in 5.

Nadal (3) d. Sela

Nadal tends to bounce back well from adversity and his previous round epic was certainly that. He is lucky to meet Sela at this point when he just as easily could have met a seeded player. I think he will cruise here and get his hunt back on track.

1st Half, Federer’s Quarter

Murray (6) d. Sousa

Murray has looked in control so far and Sousa has spoken confidently of making his mark in this match. The start is so important, as Murray has blown his opponents away so far in the opening few games. He ought to do the same in this one, although he may drop a set.

Dimitrov (10) d. Baghdatis

Dimitrov looks to be full of confidence, which is saying something for the Bulgarian who has always seemed to possess self-belief. Baghdatis has fond memories of Melbourne, but I don’t see that translating to an upset here. Anything but, I think this could be one-sided.

Kyrgios d. Jaziri

Kyrgios has been rewarded with as lovely a draw as he could have hoped for as an unseeded player and will fancy beating Jaziri and booking a Fourth Round tie with Federer. It might not be as straightforward as everyone expects and he will have to avoid complacency.

Federer (2) d. Seppi

Assuming Federer’s unusual finger problem is sorted, Seppi is the kind of opponent who the Swiss man loves to see at the other side of the net. Solid but nothing the threaten, Federer will take this on a stroll and I think his first test will be a Quarter Final with Murray.

Next: Lob and Smash 2015 Grand Slam Predictions

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