Australian Open 2015: Matches of the day: Day 10 28-Jan-2015

Stan Wawrinka (SUI) [32]
Kei Nishikori (JPN) [31]


Novak Djokovic (SRB) [26]
Milos Raonic (CAN) [33]


Madison Keys (USA) [33]
Venus Williams (USA) [18]


Serena Williams (USA) [23]
Dominika Cibulkova (USA) [33]


Julia Georges/Ana Groenfield
Bethanie Mattek-Sands/Lucie Safarova


Panlo Cuevas/David Marrero
Simone Bolleli/Fabio Fognini


I hope I have got the points right, doubles matches get 5 points per correct pick.
Don't forget the

Nishikori (I'm seriously torn here. Don't want neither to go home.) Joker
Raonic
Keys
Cibulkova
Mattek-Sands/Safarova
Bolelli/Fognini

Also: I read somewhere that Nishi said he's struggling to feel comfortable as a top 5, as he's only just entered the top 10. Well, better get used to it, because your on your way up.  If he wins two more matches, he'll overtake Nadal to become No. 3. Go Nishi! (But that means Wawrinka will fall to No. 10  )

Kei Nishikori (JPN) [31] - joker, he is the slight favourite for me
Novak Djokovic (SRB) [26] - he is still the favourite for me, especially after Raonic match vs. Lopez where he struggled and might have easily lost already; Djokovic so far untroubled

Madison Keys (USA) [33] - this girl seems to pack some serious power
Dominika Cibulkova (USA) [33]


Bethanie Mattek-Sands/Lucie Safarova
Simone Bolleli/Fabio Fognini


Re ranking: Nadal can fall as far as No 5, depending on the results of the remaining QFists; would be funny if it happened and he were drawn to meet Novak in the FO QF, when he might still be more beatable than in the final. Probably won't happen, but one can dream. 

Nishi, Djoko (joker), Keys, serena, Italia, Safarova

HM: nishi, djoko (joker), Venus, Serena, Italia, goerges,

TB: Stan, djok, keys (joker(, serena, bms/saf, bol/fog


BS: nishi (joker), djoko, keys, cibulkova, mattek sands-safarova, bolleli-fognin

Wawrinka, Djokovic (Joker) , S. Williams, V. Williams, Mattek-Sands/Safarova, Bolleli/Fognini

Polly 81 wrote:
Also: I read somewhere that Nishi said he's struggling to feel comfortable as a top 5, as he's only just entered the top 10. Well, better get used to it, because your on your way up.  If he wins two more matches, he'll overtake Nadal to become No. 3. Go Nishi! (But that means Wawrinka will fall to No. 10  )

His insecurities are reflected with the way he plays.
He's got a sublime ball-striking talent but his drive is like a broken down car that needs pushing and restarting so many times in a match.

Nishikori (but Stan) - these are my two favorite players among the remaining 6.

Nole (joker)
Keys
S. Williams
Mattek-Sands/Safarova
Bolleli/Fognini

Kei Nishikori (JPN) [31] joker!


Milos Raonic (CAN) [33]


Madison Keys (USA) [33]



Dominika Cibulkova (USA) [33]


Julia Georges/Ana Groenfield


Simone Bolleli/Fabio Fognini

Cibul has no chance.. Serena too solid for her..

Nishi misfiring and Stan gets the first break.

never seen Stan play that well.

I cannot believe how composed Stan has been this AO.  I expected he would not handle the pressure well at all, and lose in an early round.

summerblues wrote:I cannot believe how composed Stan has been this AO.  I expected he would not handle the pressure well at all, and lose in an early round.

exactly. but his mouvement is clearly improved and that helps him a lot.

Stan takes the second set.  Hopefully he can win from here, but I will not see it as it is bedtime for me now - good night.

Go Stanimal!!!!

What a match from Stan... he played awesome...just awesome...

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:What a match from Stan... he played awesome...just awesome...

Agree ...certainly something I did not expect!

Just started watching.


IDEMO NOLE MAJSTOREEEEEEE!!!!

There is one thing about Raonic: being able to see good old Ljubo in his box.

That was one awesome BH pass form Nole for the break!

noleisthebest wrote:That was one awesome BH pass form Nole for the break!

 Indeed..

Raonic will need to do some miracles (not just one ) to win a single set here.

Wow, this is easier than even I imagined it would be...zero grit and fighting spirit in Raonic.

He is one very tightly wound up coil and until he relaxes (if it ever happens) he'll struggle like this.

There is only so much a serve and a couple of drilled shots can get you.

The guy of his size should have loose shoulders and rush the net with ease like Muller.
It's all between the ears, isn't it...

Raonic hits excellent inside out FHs and instead of using them as approach shots and close points at the net, he stays on the baseline and rallies.
Ridiculous.

noleisthebest wrote:Raonic hits excellent inside out FHs and instead of using them as approach shots and close points at the net, he stays on the baseline and rallies.
Ridiculous.

Yes... big mistake. That play is worth the risk, even if Raonic get passed on some occasions.

noleisthebest wrote:Raonic hits excellent inside out FHs and instead of using them as approach shots and close points at the net, he stays on the baseline and rallies.
Ridiculous.

His volleying was Subpar so far, whenever he tried he botched even easy volleys. Won very few netpoints accordingly. Very disappointing performance from Raonic, expected more from him after Brisbane.

Very disappointing semis. At least Stan played well...but Rao was rally poor. Playing at night did not help him. Difficult to gauge how different the score had been had they played during the day ...but regardless Rao was poor. Those night conds are ideal for Djko. He is going to be tough to beat.

Autumnleaf wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Raonic hits excellent inside out FHs and instead of using them as approach shots and close points at the net, he stays on the baseline and rallies.
Ridiculous.

His volleying was Subpar so far, whenever he tried he botched even easy volleys. Won very few netpoints accordingly. Very disappointing performance from Raonic, expected more from him after Brisbane.

I think Raonic has reasonably decent hands, but flying to the net has to come from inside.

Lack of confidence which he masks with wearing that sleeve for example freezes him and makes him underperform.

He is too scared to lose. Federer is the opposite.

Enjoying this mixed doubles match...almost as much as the players!

Has anyone seen Madison Keys play?
She looks to be a promising player.

Krunic who beat her last USO said she plays men's tennis, i.e she has very powerful shots.

Tenez wrote:Very disappointing semis. At least Stan played well...but Rao was rally poor. Playing at night did not help him. Difficult to gauge how different the score had been had they played during the day ...but regardless Rao was poor. Those night conds are ideal for Djko. He is going to be tough to beat.

I think conditions are suitable both for Nole and Stan, though I'd prefer daytime as we'd see better tennis.

For me, that's the final before the final. Really look forward to it.

noleisthebest wrote:Has anyone seen Madison Keys play?
She looks to be a promising player.

Krunic who beat her last USO said she plays men's tennis, i.e she has very powerful shots.

yes I saw the first set. Very impressive even if tons of UEs.

Should be a good one against Serena, then.

noleisthebest wrote:Has anyone seen Madison Keys play?
She looks to be a promising player.

Krunic who beat her last USO said she plays men's tennis, i.e she has very powerful shots.

Very strong ground strokes.. powerful deep and a lot flatter than most girls. Good serve too. I saw her last year too, but more importantly this AO against Kvitova who herself is a very good shotmaker. Keys is here, should be in top-5 by year end.

yes.....physically she reminds me Bartoli.

Have to give credit for Wawrinka's performance at this AO.  I think he's put up a very strong defense of last years title- and not many expected it.   He might not win the tournament, but I think he's shown he is a deserving AO title holder.

Agree. Would be amazing if he could do it again.