Welcome



This is my tennis blog, Lefty Advantage. Tennis is my biggest passion in life and I started this site to discuss the great game. I mainly follow the career of Roger Federer, but I truly love watching all tennis, whether it be the final of a Grand Slam
or a junior tournament on the other side of the world.

I have played tennis for 13 years. If you ever met me, I could talk your head off about all things tennis for hours on end if you would let me. Welcome, and enjoy the writing!

Monday, January 23, 2012

2012 Australian Open QF Preview

The biggest matches of the tournament thus far are here, and we should be in for some amazing tennis as eight become four over the next two days.  On Tuesday, two blockbuster quarterfinals will be played, as Tomas Berdych takes on Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer plays Juan Martin del Potro.  On Wednesday, Andy Murray plays surprise quarterfinalist Kei Nishikori and Novak Djokovic takes on the scrappy David Ferrer.  All four matches are equally intriguing with Federer/Del Potro being the most anticipated match surely, being a rematch of the US Open 2009 final.

TOP HALF MATCHES

Andy Murray vs Kei Nishikori

This is quite the match-up.  Murray has been on fire since his first round match where he lost the first set, but don't write him through so easily.  Nishikori has put together an amazing tournament and should give some kind of fight.  Nevertheless, it should be a very tough match for Kei because he played a very tough 5-setter against Tsonga in the 4th round.  He will be exhausted and Murray should wear him out even more with his accurate shots and great defense.  I would not be surprised if Murray had the kind of easy match that he had against a fatigued Kukushkin in the 4th round, but I think Nishikori will put up a better fight than Mikhail did.  If Nishikori somehow rejuvenates himself and doesn't show fatigue, he can put forth a good match and give Murray a big test.  I hope this is the case for the fans' sake because I know it's a letdown to see an uncompetitive match with Andy Murray in it, since he's not nearly as spectacular with his shotmaking as a Federer or Nadal (or even Djokovic).

My Head Says:  Murray in 3.
My Heart Says:  Murray in 4.


Novak Djokovic vs David Ferrer

This is a rematch of the 2011 World Tour Finals Round Robin, which Ferrer won.  Djokovic is looking much better than he did that day, however, and at this stage you can't predict anything from looking at previous matches.  On paper, Djokovic should not have a hard time with this match, but nothing is decided on paper, is it?  After Novak's physical breakdown against Lleyton Hewitt in the 4th round, I was starting to ask some questions.  Hewitt is nowhere near as physically fit as Ferrer right now, and Ferrer has much more ability than Hewitt does to play aggressive and take Novak's time away.  Having said that, what happens if Novak's body breaks down on him again and he loses a set?  Ferrer is much more capable of capitalizing on a weakness than anyone Novak has faced to date.  IF Ferrer can bring his best tennis to the match (and he's playing as well as he did last year when he upset Rafa) and Djokovic starts struggling physically, this could make for a very close and competitive match.  Of course, it's easy to write this down and predict that it might happen, but that's not the way it works.  Djokovic should win this match in 4 sets at maximum if he is playing well.  With his improved fitness level, he should be able to recover from his letdown against Hewitt and put together a great match and move onto the semifinals.  Still though, it would be something to see if Djokovic can get pushed and risk losing the match.  Nobody hates upsets, right?

My Head Says:  Djokovic in 4.
My Heart Says:  Ferrer in 5.

BOTTOM HALF MATCHES

Rafael Nadal vs Tomas Berdych

This was the expected quarterfinal when the draw was put out, and here it is.  Nadal is in great shape heading into this clash, not having a lost a set through the first four matches.  Dare I say that Rafa looks as good as we have seen him since Wimbledon 2010.  His groundstrokes are landing deep in the court which allows him to dictate rallies, and his serve is clicking at a high rate.  He had a very high first serve percentage against Lopez in the 4th round and without a doubt, he will be a hard opponent if he keeps serving well.  On the other side of the net is the villainous Tomas Berdych.  He seems to almost enjoy being the most hated and controversial man on the ATP World Tour.  He will probably be booed as he comes onto the court and throughout the match after the incident in his previous match (which you can watch HERE).  I am unsure whether or not the hate from the crowd will help or hurt Tomas in this match with Rafa.  During the on-court interview afterwards when the crowd was showering him with boos, he smiled at times and generally did not seem to mind.  For all intents and purposes, Berdych is arrogant, and that very well might give him more motivation against Nadal if he knows nobody wants to see him win.  Strictly from a tennis perspective, Nadal should win at the most in 4 sets.  Even though Berdych is a big man like Del Potro, Nadal doesn't have the same problems attacking the backhand like he does against the Argentine.  Berdych is also a lot more mentally fragile and inconsistent on the court, and Nadal will pick up very easily if Tomas is showing any weaknesses in his game.  Whatever may happen, it shall be a very entertaining match.  I don't think the crowd will affect Berdych at all and I think he'll give Rafa a hard contest.

My Head Says:  Nadal in 4.
My Heart Says:  Berdych in 5.

Roger Federer vs Juan Martin del Potro

Like the Nadal/Berdych quarterfinal, many predicted this match when the draw came out.  Here we have it, the most anticipated match of the tournament to date, Roger Federer vs Juan Martin del Potro.  A former Grand Slam final at the US Open 2009, and it should be another amazing match from both men.  It will be a very big test for Roger because Delpo is the biggest hitter on tour and the most dangerous.  The big Argentine is starting to find the same form that he showed in 2009, although I don't believe he is there quite yet.  Nevertheless he is still incredibly dangerous and will keep Roger on the tips of his toes all match.  The Fed knows this so he will be sure to bring his best to the match.  I think the fact that Federer played Tomic the match before will benefit him in this match against Juan Martin.  Fed will need to do many of the things he did against Bernie if he wants to be successful.  For instance, he will need to vary his shots and utilize the slice and drop shots effectively.  If he can get Delpo out of his baseline rhythm, he will be fine.  In the match last year in Cincinnati, Roger forced Delpo to the net many times and the tactic did wonders for him.  He also sliced the ball a lot as opposed to giving the big guy pace to work with.  These same tactics will pay off for him if he can execute them to his ability.  The overlooked factor in this match is that it will be played during the day.  The way I see it, this could be good or bad for Roger.  The heat could affect Juan Martin and hamper his ability to move around the court, OR, playing during the day could add a little more "heat" onto his groundstrokes (see what I did there - I should become a comedian) which would make his balls cut through the court quicker which would overpower Roger.  Of course, I may be overthinking it and the conditions could have no affect on the match whatsoever, and in which case it would just come down to the tennis.  Federer is playing some of his best tennis since the Australian Open two years ago, so I expect him to pull this match out with some beautiful tennis and put all his doubters to rest.

My Head Says:  Federer in 4.
My Heart Says:  Federer in 3

(I would NEVER go against Federer)

So there you have it, four quarterfinal previews for four what hope to be fantastic matches.

*To the Fedfans:  I know many of you are nervous about the match against Delpo for our favourite player, but be confident, not nervous!  Remember the last time The Fed played a tough match against a dangerous opponent?  It was vs Tsonga in the US Open and Fed dismantled him in 3.  I'm not saying that the same will happen here, but remember who Roger Federer is - the greatest tennis player and champion of all-time.  He will most definitely take Delpo VERY seriously and I suspect he will bring his unmatched best tennis to the table.  If he wants to win he will have to.

Kyle.

PS:  Why does Caroline Wozniacki remind me of an astronaut?

Because she's moon-balling.

(Sorry for the lameness)

1 comment:

  1. I feel somewhat confident about Fed because even in the 2009 USO final Fed had his opportunities and Delpo is nowhere near that form or confidence. Yeah Fed's a 2 years older but I'm cautiously optimistic. I tend to think the heat will help Fed because I don't think Delpo is 100% on fitness either. I'n going to try to enjoy this match with as little angst as possible...easier said than done sadly. :) i

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