The most decorated player of the hardcourt era of the Australian Open/Championships 

Predicted Winners in BOLD

Business is about to pick up

Roger Federer (SUI) [3] vs. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [27] – I think Dimitrov has a real chance to win here because the courts in Australia play a bit slower than Roger ideally likes them to play.  Grigor plays deeper in the court that Roger so a slower court may be to his liking.  Grigor also had a nice set of showings at Brisbane and Sydney.  Still, Roger likely wins in 3 or 4 sets.  If Roger’s serve is steady, I think the pressure shifts to the Bulgarian.

Nick Kyrgios (AUS) [29] vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE) [6] – Berdych hits hard and is a steady performer on tour.  Kyrgios hits hard and is somewhat of a lightening rod on tour.  The difference I see is Kyrgios is a more fluid mover on court.  Each guy will put the other on the defensive, but I think Kyrgios has more potential when playing defense.

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) [26] vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [7] – GGL is playing solid tennis, and I am just not sure what to make of Kei over the past 6 months.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [9] vs. Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) – Tsonga wins and enjoys crowd support for his previous good deed.

Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] vs. Andreas Seppi (ITA) [28] – Novak was targeted by some reports that I deem to be reckless.  I think he comes out in a mood to destroy whomever is in front of him.  Andreas the bell tolls for thee.

Dominic Thiem (AUT) [19] vs. David Goffin (BEL) [15] – This should be an incredibly fun match.  If I had a ticket, this is the match I circle and make sure not to miss.  This is close to a 50-50 match, but I think Thiem wins  a close 4 or 5 set duel.

Federico Delbonis (ARG) vs. Gilles Simon (FRA) [14] – Gilles is a tough out.

Marin Cilic (CRO) [12] vs. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) [24] – Cilic did reach the Wimbledon quarters and US Open semis in 2015.  I think if Cilic wins this match he is a player to watch the rest of the way.  I am picking Bautista Agut based on his strong 2014 performance in Oz and his tune-up victory.  His form is a known variable whereas Marin’s is a bit unknown to me.