In bold the player we believe will be the favourite to win their quarter-final match in Melbourne.
Rod Laver Arena
Angelique Kerber (GER)[7] vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[14]
Azarenka is the player that has looked the most convincing of all in the women’s draw. Hardly ever challenged, the Belarusian is yet to lose a match or a set this year. In the final in Brisbane she outplayed Angelique Kerber only losing four games. That was Victoria’s 6th win in six matches against the German. Clearly, it’s hard to predict that Kerber will beat Azarenka in Melbourne. The two-time Australian Open champion should win again, in straight sets, reaching the last 4. I don’t see Victoria losing before the final, and she will be hard to beat for anyone in the last act too.
Johanna Konta (GBR) vs. Shuai Zhang (CHN)
We have never picked Zhang as the favourite to win a match in Australia this year, and she has managed to prove us wrong every time. That said, once again the Chinese doesn’t seem the favourite to win her match in Melbourne. Zhang has beaten Keys in the previous round, true, but the American got injured at the start of the second set after winning the first and despite that, the Chinese needed an extra hour to close out the contest, playing appalling low-quality tennis, but winning. Konta seems a much mature player, someone who has been on the big stages before, having reached the 4th round at the US Open beating tough players such as Muguruza on the way. The Brit will continue climbing the rankings and should take advantage of such a great opportunity. The head-2-head record set the two tied at 1-1, with Konta winning the first match in 2012 and Zhang getting revenge in 2013. Considering the overall value of the two tennis players, we believe Konta will manage to write another page in the history of British tennis.
David Ferrer (ESP)[8] vs. Andy Murray (GBR)[2]
Murray has won 12 matches against Ferrer, whereas the Spaniard has only beaten the Brit a total of six times. Ferrer last beat Murray in Shanghai in 2014 in three sets, but then lost 5 times in a row only winning 2 sets. Both players have looked confident and in-form in Melbourne so far, showing great baseline skills and never looking in the position of losing. Murray should win the match, but will most likely let a set go, considering how well David has been playing in Melbourne Park and how well he has handled Isner’s serve in the previous round. The two players have a very similar game, but Murray is overall just a better player. There is a chance the match could be decided by a 5th set, but that seems unlikely considering how Murray has already passed a tough moment in Melbourne – his father-in-law Nigel Sears fainted while Ivanovic was playing and was brought to the hospital where is he doing fine now – showing no sings of debacle on court.
Gael Monfils (FRA)[23] vs. Milos Raonic (CAN)[13]
This can definitively be the match of the day for Wednesday in Melbourne. Raonic has never beaten before Monfils on the tour, losing both previous matches against the French on hard and on grass. That however was in 2011 and 2013, before Milos reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at the Championships and before he blossomed into an all-court player. That, most importantly, was before Raonic had beaten Federer in the final of the Brisbane Open, coming on court with the confidence he needed to take out 2014 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka in five sets in the 4th round. 2016 Raonic seems a better, more continuous version of his 2015 self. Moya has contributed to his baseline consistency and has brought extra fire power in the Canadian’s legs. Monfils hasn’t been challenged so far on the draw, but he didn’t have to face tough competition such as past Slams’ winners. It is going to be Mr. Mobility versus Mr. Serve, and we believe Milos’s confidence and game will allow him to reach his maiden Australian Open semifinal. There should hopefully be battle, at least 4 sets of unusual and fun tennis to watch. We hope so.
