By Louise Belcourt
The script had been written on the first quarter-final day at the Australian Open. It seemed all players had read it and played the part to perfection.
The day started with a routine 6-1 6-3 win for world number 4 Agnieszka Radwanska over 10th seed Carla Suarez Navarro. Radwanska is now on a 12 match winning streak, winning the lead-up tournament in Shenzhen China. Of her form Radwanska said “Well, I think it’s good, especially that I did semi-finals here and I won the tournament before.â€
The next act was Maria Sharapova’s chance to redeem her 17 match losing streak against world number 1 Serena Williams. The American started slow losing her first service game with some easy misses. But she steadied, she rallied, she chased, she aced and she eventually overpowered world number 5 Sharapova into submission with a 6-4 6-1 victory. Williams acknowledged there is a gap between the two “[There is] something about her game. I like the way she hits the ball. Plus, when I play her, I know automatically I have to step up my game.†Notching her 19th loss to the American, it looks the Russian may never be victorious again.
Next was a class act between two in-form players Roger Federer (world number 3) and Tomas Berdych (world number 7). Federer knew he’d be in for a tough hard-hitting match to reach his 39th grand slam semi-final. The first set was a close fought affair with back to back breaks of serves, leading to a tiebreaker. Therein, Federer picked up his serve and winners to take it out 7-4. The next 2 sets saw Federer neutralise the Czechs power by dominating the net and the match with precision and variety for a superb 7-6 6-2 6-4 victory. Federer said of his match “I’m playing good tennis, fun tennis for me anyway. I really enjoy being able to come to the net more like back in the day. So I’m very pleased. It would mean a lot to me [to win another slam].â€
On cue, Novak Djokovic’s 100 unforced error game from the 4th round was banished and upon us entered the genius of the world number 1 we had come to expect. He was helped in part by a lacklustre performance by world number 7 Kei Nishikori. An injury seemed to hamper the Japanese, and a straight forward 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory ensued. The Serb decided not to train since his “match to forget†against Simon on Sunday. This tactic seemed to pay off breaking Nishikori’s serve numerous times with constant pressure, forcing a high volume of errors from his opponent. Djokovic said “I was solid. I was determined, focused. In important points and moments I managed to stay composed and make him play an extra shot. Overall it was a very solid performance.â€
This leaves 2 dramatic semi-finals.
Williams vs Radwanska. Djokovic vs Federer.
Williams has an 8-0 head to head winning record over the Polish player, but Radwanska is a tricky opponent and has the variety of game with a lot of slices and drop shots and good court movement to trouble the American great. But the 21 time grand slam champion has an incredible record at this stage of a grand slam, and although Radwanska has improved since her last loss over 2 years ago, I believe Williams will prevail in a much tighter contest than both of their quarter-finals.
Federer’s grand slam mantel has been gathering dust, having not won a grand slam since Wimbledon 2012. His nemesis on many occasions has been Djokovic. They hold a 22-22 head to head, but of late the big matches have been won by Djokovic. He always seems to bring his “A†game against Federer, and Federer’s level often drops due to the constant pressure (from his opponent and within). Although, Federer is looking in ominous form, but it is hard to bet against Djokovic at this stage of a grand slam, especially in light of the fact that the 5 times he has reach the Australian Open semi-final he has gone on to claim the title.
So will the semi-final go to script? Soon all will be revealed.
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Andrew Miller · January 27, 2016 at 10:41 am
The favorites have indeed been impressive. The old guard is holding down the fort on the men’s tour, with 3 of the big 4 in the semifinals – Murray, Djokovic, Federer. Joined by the spoiler, Raonic.
I think the script’s about to flip here. I’m picking a mild upset with Murray taking the title. Taking out Raonic will be hard, he’ll have to play more up-tempo ball I think.
On the women’s tour, I’m going with a new champ even though Serena Williams has given almost nothing to any opponent. I think we’ll have a similar situation to the U.S. open, where anyone like a Pennetta feels they have a shot. Here I think that means Kerber or Radwanska.
Hartt · January 27, 2016 at 12:39 pm
I still expect a Novak victory at AO, but would be very happy with an upset – nothing against Novak, but find it more interesting to have different winners.
Agree that Murray has an edge over Raonic. Although in their last 2 matches, which Andy won, Milos was playing injured both times. In Madrid last season he was even visibly limping, so it was surprising he made the match as competitive as it was. He had the foot surgery shortly after.
The foot problem that resulted in surgery has plagued Milos on and off over several seasons, so not having to deal with that now should help him this season.
catherine bell · January 27, 2016 at 1:32 pm
I truly believe Serena will only lose this one if she has a nervous breakdown. Which is not likely.
Andrew Miller · January 27, 2016 at 2:27 pm
I dont think anyone has stuck with Serena yet. I think it might change with ARad; and Kerber played huge against Azarenka.
Serena is still Serena. She can wipe a player out and off the court. But she is human.
As for Djoker, so is he. Federer should be able to stick with him and so should his opponent in the final if Djok beats the Fed. Raonic is playing like the champion in waiting, unbelievably. He took out Stan Wawrinka then dismissed Monfils, a player with the tours best wheels. A slow shotmaker and a fast shotmaker.
I like Murray in the match because he has heft and speed and confidence and believe it or not, urgency. This might be his last, best shot to win the Australian and I think he is playing as much to get home ok time as to win the Aussie, which makes him more efficient and purpose focused. That said Raonic has an equally urgent ambition. But after so many big wins I think Murray reels him in, then finishes the job in the final.
Davis Cup boosts champions. I think Murray has enough left in the tank to run the tables.
Scoop Malinowski · January 27, 2016 at 4:18 pm
monfils played with a strange lack of emotion and fire – when you see Lamonf playing with the emotion of an android you just know he’s la toast – perhaps Raonic’s firepower killed all his spirit – I think this is Raonic’s time – his coach carlos moya got an up close view of Andy in IPTL (they were teammates) and this could be a factor in the match – moya is obviously a very astute tennis mind – the sudden results by Raonic this year absolutely affirm that –
Andrew Miller · January 27, 2016 at 7:20 pm
Raonic looks like Raonic 2.0, turbocharged. Scoop he might beat Murray and win the Aussie.
Federer could too. I think the Djok owns their high stakes matches on hard courts. But Fed has a shot in the contest.
Unless one of the players is too nervous the semis should be must see.
Andrew Miller · January 27, 2016 at 7:22 pm
Too bad on Monfils and the French players in general. Unlike the u.s. Players the French have had as much talent as the Spanish with much less to show for it.
q10 · January 27, 2016 at 9:14 pm
As a djoker fan I am always weary that Fed will one day get a win over djokovic in best of 5 set…we shall see.
On the women’s side, while Serena should win, a new slam winner would also be a pleasant surprise.
Scoop Malinowski · January 28, 2016 at 10:32 am
Andrew: Carlos Moya on Milos Raonic: ‘He is so much more talented than people think, and more talented than I thought’.
Scoop Malinowski · January 28, 2016 at 10:33 am
A lot of talented players have little to show for it – the top guys have a monopoly on winning big events –
Scoop Malinowski · January 28, 2016 at 10:35 am
q10: I feel the same way but Djokovic really seems to have Fed under full control – no matter what Fed throws at him it’s just not enough – And even with the new coach addition of Ljubicic I didnt’ see any difference in Fed today – Fed did not keep his promise to Jim Courier to use at least one SABR on Djokovic either 🙂