[7] J Tsonga (FRA) v [2] R Federer (SUI) – Tsongahas beaten Roger in three big matches. Still, I think it would be unwise to pick against Roger. Federer has yet to drop a set and may be setting his 31 year old body up for a two match sprint to the title versus his top foes. Federer is sharp enough to be favored in this match.
J Chardy (FRA) v [3] A Murray (GBR) – Murray has a chance to be number one everywhere but on the computer if he takes this title. To do so by avenging his 2010 runner-up finish to Federer and 2011 runner-up loss to Djokovic (not to mention his 2012 semifinal loss to Djokovic) would be doubly sweet. Chardy has played well to get to this point. He could take a set off of Murray who seems to be itching for a tough match. Chardy is unlikely to advance.
Today a tennis fan asked Jon Wertheim if Venus Williams will ever win another singles major. Wertheim, an all-around good guy, answered that it was unlikely due to age, health and form. This is an answer I think most tennis writers would give.
It is easy to forget that Venus first reached a Grand Slam final in September of 1997. That is a long time before Roger Federer broke through at the Wimbledon 2003. Granted Serena won her first major at the 1999 US Open and she is still rolling. Venus is older than Serena, her serve has always had a hitch in it, and she has a chronic health issue.
Is Venus Done?
In singles, I think Venus could make a second week at any slam not on red clay. That is about as far as I can see her going. Although her 2005, 2007 and 2008 Wimbledon runs make me leave a small door open for her on grass to reach a semifinal or final round. Winning 7 matches even at Wimbledon seems highly unlikely.
However, Venus is not done. She won a third Olympic Gold Medal in doubles last year. That coupled with Venus’ 2000 singles gold makes her a 4 time gold medalist. Venus also teamed with Serena to win her 5th Wimbledon doubles title in 2012. Doubles is not dead in women’s tennis. Top players sometimes still play the events. If Venus and Serena want to keep winning slams and medals in doubles, there seems to be little in their path. The Williams Sisters have a chance for a 5th Australian Open doubles crown this year.
Venus is clearly a Hall of Fame player with 7 Grand Slam singles crowns, 4 gold medals, 13 Grand Slam doubles titles and 2 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. She can keep adding to this total. Given that she and Serena have combined on 13 Grand Slam doubles titles and 3 gold medals, the longevity with one partner only adds to one of the most fascinating sports stories of the past 2 decades. I hope she and Serena take a 5th Australian Open doubles title just to keep questions of Venus’ retirement at bay.
Na Li (CHN) [6] vs. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [4] – This all comes down to who is in form. If Na Li is playing at her 2011 level, she will advance. If Radwanska and Li play at their 2012 levels, Radwanska wins. I’ll go with more recent history and pick Radwanska to win (see 2013 video clip for very recent history).
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [19] vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS) [2] – Makarova has played well to beat Kerber and reach the quarterfinal round. Sharapova is crushing everyone she plays. For Makarova to win, she will need to return well, extend points and force Sharapova to hit on the run. I don’t see the Sharapova train slowing down enough to lose here.
David Ferrer (4) vs. Nicolas Almagro (10) – David Ferrer could reach his 3rd slam semifinal in the past 52 weeks. He led the tour with 7 titles in 2012. He also picked up his first 1000 series title after adding French and US Open semifinal runs to his career achievements. Ferrer is 12-0 vs. Almagro. 12-0! Almagro has the shots to win this match, but consistency, fitness and confidence should take Ferrer to the Final Four. If Almagro does win, he can dust of Vitas’ old line and say, “No one beats Almagro 13 times in a row!”
Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Tomas Berdych (5) – Berdych’s biggest career wins came at the 2010 Wimbledon championships where he beat Roger Federer in the quarterfinal round and Novak Djokovic in the semifinal round. Berdych can win a big match versus Djokovic. Berdych also helpd the Czech Republic win the 2012 Davis Cup. Djokovic just played a draining 5 hour match. It all sounds like a good blueprint for an upset. I am not buying though. Berdych does have the ability to hit through the court on any surface, but this surface is ideally suited to Djokovic’s game. Novak recovered from a brutal semifinal versus Andy Murray to win the most brutal match I have ever seen versus Nadal in last year’s Australian Open final. Stanislas Wawrinka does not play the grinding style of Murray. Novak should be fresh enough to win and advance.
Serena Williams (3) vs. Maria Kierilenko (14) – Kirilenko is a sound player. Still, Serena is on a roll.
Caroline Wozniacki (10) vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Kuzy beat Wozniacki in a tune-up. This is a possible upset. I just think Wozniacki will be steady enough, as she was at the 2010 US Open, to grind out a close win. I am almost certain that this match will go 3 sets.
The 2013 Australian Open has been a disaster for Yahoo Tennis.
Photographs tied to stories feature different players than those found in stories. This is common for Yahoo Tennis but when Na Li is pictured as a European player it is beyond sloppy.
Maria Sharapova was referred to as the reigning champion despite being waxed in last year’s final.
The scoreboard features an incomplete list of any given day’s matches mixed together with matches from the previous day.
Over the Past 3 Days I have been 17-5 in my Men’s Picks
Predicted Winners in BOLD
Singles – Fourth Round
[13] M Raonic (CAN) v [2] R Federer (SUI) – Raonic has a puncher’s chance against anyone. He pushed Roger hard in their matches last year. Raonic also had the perfect 3rd round opponent to get ready for Roger in Philipp Kohlschreiber. I think this will go at least 4 sets, but Roger is likely going to hold serve often enough to make this match about Raonic’s return game rather than his service game.
[14] G Simon (FRA) v [3] A Murray (GBR) – Simon might be physically gone. Even if he is fit, Murray does a lot of what Simon does really well, but he has a bigger overall game. Murray in 3 or 4.
[7] J Tsonga (FRA) v [9] R Gasquet (FRA) – I used to say always pick against Gasquet.
J Chardy (FRA) v [21] A Seppi (ITA) – Chardy will be an unseeded quarterfinalist.
We have another slate of great matches. I went 8-0 in my picks yesterday. I hope to keep that pace today.
Predicted Winners in BOLD
Singles – Third Round
B Tomic (AUS) v [2] R Federer (SUI) – This is a possible upset, but Federer in a 3 out of 5 set format has to be heavily favored.
[Q] R Berankis (LTU) v [3] A Murray (GBR) – It is great to see a qualifier win 2 matches in the main draw as well. The computer points and prize money will be a huge help. Murray is not going to be terribly charitable though.
[6] J Del Potro (ARG) v J Chardy (FRA) – Chardy is a talented player, and it is nice to see him win a few matches at a slam. JMDP should advance in 3 or 4 sets.
[7] J Tsonga (FRA) v B Kavcic (SLO) – Tsonga is not above being upset here.
I Dodig (CRO) v [9] R Gasquet (FRA) – The flashy game of Gasquet should avoid an upset so long as he avoids a lot of errors.
[21] A Seppi (ITA) v [12] M Cilic (CRO) – Marin can set up another clash with JMDP.
[13] M Raonic (CAN) v [17] P Kohlschreiber (GER) - In this case, I think variety beats power over a 3 out of 5 set match.
[14] G Simon (FRA) v G Monfils (FRA) – Gael’s comeback continues.
