Australian Open 2015 – Semifinal Prediction: Williams vs. Keys

Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs. Madison Keys (USA) Serena has not looked unbeatable in Melbourne.  That seems to bode well for Keys.  Still, Serena closes exceptionally well in tournaments.  She is 4-6 sets of playing away from a 6th Australian Open title and 19th Grand Slam title!  I think Serena sees the finish line.  If Keys plays…

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Australian Open 2015 – Semifinal Prediction: Makarova vs. Sharapova

Ekaterina Makarova vs. Maria Sharapova Makarova’s game plan for facing Sharapova should revolve around how Petra Kvitova has played when successful vs. Sharapova.  A tough lefty serve and an ability to dictate play make me think Makarova could win this match.  The problem I see for Makarova is that Sharapova seems to be moving as…

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Australian Open 2015 – Day 10 Men’s Predictions

[4] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs [5] Kei Nishikori (JPN) This is a 50-50 match.  Their US Open match last year was an absolute war.  Nishikori seems poised to do what Stan did last year.  Wawrinka has momentum from Davis Cup and his title in India.  This is a fascinating match because Stan’s game at its best…

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Australian Open 2015 – Day 10 Women’s Predictions

[18] Venus Williams (USA) vs Madison Keys (USA) This one is hard to predict.  Venus looks a lot like her old self.  Keys is on the uptick.  Venus’ biggest issue lately when she plays well has been maintaining a high level from one match to the next.  I just picked against Venus and came out…

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Australian Open 2015 – Day 9 Men’s Predictions

[3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs [7] Tomas Berdych (CZE) Based on what I saw of Rafa in Asia last fall and on his own pre-tournament words, I would give Berdych a fighting chance in this match.  Rafa who typically downplays his chances said he felt he was in good form after defeating Kevin Anderson.  That does…

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Australian Open 2015 – Day 9 Women’s Predictions

[3] Simona Halep (ROU) vs [10] Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) This should be a good match.  Halep is a tough minded grinder and Makarova is a lefty shot-maker.  If Makarova can make simple work of her service games utilizing her slice serve, she can then pressure Halep’s service games even more.  Halep on the other hand has…

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The Importance of Nadal vs. Kyrgios 2014

Both Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios have punched tickets for the quarterfinal round of the 2015 Australian Open.  That fact has caused me to revisit their match at Wimbledon last year even though they still each have to win to set up a sequel.  Their Wimbledon match was not the match of the year by…

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Australian Open 2015 – Day 8 Men’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD David Ferrer (ESP) [9] vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [5] – I think Ferrer will do better than he did last fall vs. Kei, but Nishikori will take control of most of the rallies and that means the match is more on his racquet than Ferrer’s.  I expect Kei to win in 4 sets. Novak…

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Australian Open 2015 – Day 8 Women’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) [11] vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) – We have last year’s runner-up vs. the 2013 and 2013 champion.  I think Azarenka has an outside shot at adding a 3rd Australian Open title this year. Therefore, I am picking Vika. Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) [24] – I could see this…

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Aurtalian Open 2015 – Day 7 Women’s Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [7] Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) vs. Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) – Begu has played quite well, but she is probably not the right Romanian to beat Bouchard.  Canadian Content in Melbourne [2] Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs [21] Shuai Peng (CHN) – I almost went the other way on this one.  If someone can make…

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