The quarter finals of the Australian Open draw to a close in Melbourne on Wednesday and come the end of the day we will know the semi-final line up in both singles draws. Once again the four singles matches all take place on Rod Laver Arena and there are some real belters on the schedule.
We saw three shocks in the opening day of quarter finals as Elina Svitolina and Grigor Dimitrov were soundly beaten and an injury sent Rafael Nadal out of the tournament. That should keep the favourites on their toes on Wednesday.
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Madison Keys vs Angelique Kerber
The day begins with an absolute cracker between two of the best players of the week so far when US Open finalist Madison Keys takes on former winner of this tournament Angelique Kerber for a place in the semi-final.
Madison Keys is hitting the ball so well so far in this tournament while Kerber has shown seriously quality of her own, both in front when she steamrolled Maria Sharapova, and behind when she outbattled Hsieh in the previous round so this one is set up for a really juicy encounter.
I think we are going to get a high quality display of power hitting in this one and while Kerber leads their head to head record 6-1 Keys is playing better now than I’ve ever seen her. I’d be surprised if this is won in quicker than 21.5 games.
Tennys Sandgren vs Hyeon Chung
The opening men’s match of the day sees the two unseeded surprise packages do battle when Tennys Sandgren takes on Hyeon Chung for a place in the first Grand Slam semi-final of their careers.
It is never easy to predict how well newcomers to this stage of tournaments will play but the fact that they have both beaten superior opposition to get this far bodes well for them. Sandgren has seen off Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem in his run to this stage while Chung has beaten Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic.
The fact both players have backed up big wins with another also bodes well for a decent match here but even so there is still a little guesswork involved. Value chasers could do worse than bet around a five setter but I’m happy to sit this one out.
Simona Halep vs Karolina Pliskova
The final match of the day session sees the number one ranked player in the world in Simona Halep taking on the player she dethroned from that position in Karolina Pliskova in what should be a high quality quarter final.
This match is good enough to be a final of tournaments like this so in a way it is a shame that they meet in the last eight but it means we get to witness a classic encounter much earlier in the week than usual. If you look at the head to head which Halep leads 5-1 you would think she is a good thing but I’m not so sure.
Whoever wins this I think we are set up for another close match. Pliskova’s serve can do some damage on this court but we’ve seen already in this tournament that Halep will run all day and never allow herself to be beaten. They went three sets in the French Open semis last year and I fancy a three setter here. At the very least I expect two close sets so over 21.5 games appeals here too.
Tomas Berdych vs Roger Federer
The one singles match in the night session sees Tomas Berdych taking on a man who he seems to struggle against in Roger Federer for a place in the semi-final of the opening Grand Slam of the campaign.
Berdych has struck the ball as sweet as a nut in this tournament and that bodes well for him here. Federer hasn’t been his brilliant best all the way through but having seen Nadal and Dimitrov bow out on Tuesday he will know the opportunity that is in front of him here and should perform ably.
The head to head between these two is a tale of woe for the Czech but if he is right mentally for this match I expect him to challenge Federer much more than he has done recently. I still don’t think he’ll win the match but he can win a set.
Tips
Back M.Keys vs A.Kerber – Over 21.5 games for a 4/10 stake at 1.85 with BetVictor
Back S.Halep vs K.Pliskova – Over 21.5 games for a 4/10 stake at 1.87 with BetVictor
Back them here:
Back T.Berdych vs R.Federer – Over 3.5 sets for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Betfair
Back it here:
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