By Erik Gudris | Saturday, January 23, 2016
Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova are just two of the players seeking a spot in the Australian Open quarterfinals.
Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Each day we'll preview and predict results for several must-see Melbourne matches. Day 7 previews are here.
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(3) Roger Federer vs. (15) David Goffin
Rod Laver Arena (second night match)
Head-to-head: Federer leads 3-0
Roger Federer is going for another record at the Australian Open. This time to make his 12th quarterfinal in Melbourne and also extend his overall record to 47 appearances in a Grand Slam quarterfinal.
To get there, he’ll have to face Goffin in their first ever meeting on a outdoor hard court. Despite Goffin growing up idolizing Federer, the Belgian has played Federer close before. Their last meeting in Basel went three sets.
Though Federer is the favorite, he knows that he doesn’t want to give Goffin a lot of looks at second serves. Federer will also want to clean up the errors on his forehand side that bothered him in his win over Grigor Dimitrov. He should do both.
The Pick: Federer in three sets
(5) Maria Sharapova vs. (12) Belinda Bencic
Rod Laver Arena (first match)
Head-to-head: First time meeting
An intriguing first time encounter between one of the tour’s biggest stars and a young player who could well the WTA’s next big star for the future.
Despite Sharapova coming into this event having not played many matches, including missing Brisbane with a forearm injury, the Russian is slowly finding her form. She’ll need to take it up a notch against the always steady Bencic who will not be overawed by Sharapova.
Bencic should be able to handle Sharapova’s power so long as the Swiss can also dictate things from the baseline and get Sharapova on the move. This match may well come down to who serves better. Sharapova will have to avoid getting in trouble with double faults. Bencic, who doesn’t have a big serve, will have to serve very well and not let Sharapova tee off on returns. Will Sharapova’s experience prove the difference? Or will the young Bencic embrace the opportunity to reach the last eight?
The Pick: Bencic in three sets
(7) Kei Nishikori vs. (9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Hisense Arena (first match)
Head-to-head:Nishikori leads 4-2
A blockbuster matchup that once again matches the rock solid baseline skills of Nishikori against the all-court power of Tsonga.
Tsonga so far is displaying solid form in Melbourne including ripping huge first serves at will. But he’ll need to display some extra patience against Nishikori. If Tsonga can get to the net and not make this a baseline brawl, he just might tip the match in his favor.
In their two previous meetings at a Grand Slam, both men have needed five sets to decide the winner. Nishikori won their last meeting in Melbourne and may end up edging the Frenchman again.
The Pick: Nishikori in five sets
The complete order of play is here.