Dan Martin on Tennis, Life and Occassionally Other Sports
Predicted Winners in BOLD Ash Barty (1) vs Karolina Muchova (25) – As of now, I think Barty is headed to the final, but the semifinal will be harder than her quarterfinal round. Jennifer Brady (22) vs Jessica Pegula – Brady won Lexington in 2020 so I am maybe trying to avoid being too jingoistic…
Predicted Winners in BOLD Grigor Dimitrov (18) vs Aslan Karatsev – Dimitrov has a good path to another major semifinal. I am not sure he can go further than that at this event, but he is probably the 5th most likely player to win the event among the 8 remaining. 3 of the bigger obstacles…
Predicted Winners in BOLD Hsieh Su-Wei vs Naomi Osaka (3) – I have gotten so many of Hsieh Su-Wei’s matches wrong over the years that this is probably a good omen for her. Still, Osaka is to my mind the best in the world because she attacks as well as power players and defends as…
Predicted Winners in BOLD ROD LAVER ARENA Jessica Pegula (USA) v (5) Elina Svitolina (UKR) – I will take the dark horse, but the odds are against what I am predicting. (28) Donna Vekić (HRV) v (22) Jennifer Brady (USA) – This may be the match of the day, but I think the 28 seed…
Predicted Winners in BOLD ROD LAVER ARENA (16) Fabio Fognini (ITA) v (2) Rafael Nadal (ESP) – I am expecting a close match that might even go 5 sets. I will not be shocked if Fognini wins, but I think Rafa prevails in 4 or 5 sets facing down his first big test of the…
Predicted Winners in BOLD Rod Laver Arena [3] Dominic Thiem (AUT) vs. [18] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) – This should be an outstanding match. I think Thiem is younger, moves better, and has the better forehand of the two. I expect a 3 to 4 set win for Thiem, but Dimitrov has a shot at the upset. [1] Novak Djokovic…
Predicted Winners in BOLD Rod Laver Arena (11 a.m. start) [3] Naomi Osaka (JPN) vs. [14] Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) – This match is potentially a blockbuster. Osaka won the 2019 Australian Open, and Muguruza lost the 2020 Australian Open final in 3 sets. They hold a combined 5 singles major titles and Muguruza has 2 major runner-up finishes to…
Predicted Winners in BOLD Rod Laver Arena (11 a.m. start) [6] Karolina Pliskova (CZE) vs. [25] Karolina Muchova (CZE) – The fast courts should help Pliskova advance.[11] Belinda Bencic (SUI) vs. [18] Elise Mertens (BEL)[21] Anett Kontaveit (EST) vs. Shelby Rogers (USA) Margaret Court Arena [5] Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs. [26] Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) – This should be a 3 set thriller.[28] Donna Vekic (CRO) vs. Kaia…
Predicted Winners in BOLD Rod Laver Arena (11 a.m. start) [4] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs. [28] Filip Krajinovic (SRB) [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Cameron Norrie (GBR) – Rafa and Daniil ought to advance. Margaret Court Arena [7] Andrey Rublev (RUS) vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) – Rublev will need to return well and pass when Lopez comes forward. I think he…
