Three selections from Graham Ruthven, on day eight of the Australian Open.
Rafael Nadal v Nick Kyrgios
Monday 27 January, Australian Open men’s singles fourth round
Something has clicked in the mind of Nick Kyrgios at the start of 2020, first playing some of his best tennis for Team Australia in the ATP Cup and then embarking on his best Grand Slam run for years by making it to the fourth round. For the first time in a long while, Kyrgios looks focused and comfortable in his game, and perhaps most importantly in his own mind.
Rafael Nadal, however, has yet to drop a set at this year’s Australian Open and looks to be fully fit after some pre-tournament concerns during the ATP Cup. If Kyrgios can keep this first serve percentage high (he served 33 aces against Karen Khachanov in the third round) then he will have a chance against Nadal. The Australian has beaten Nadal three times before with the rivalry between the two players well-documented. This should be a blockbuster.
1pt - Tie Break In Match 2/5
Angelique Kerber v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Monday 27 January, Australian Open women’s singles fourth round
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova pulled off one of the shocks of this year’s Australian Open by beating Karolina Pliskova in the third round. The Russian kept her nerve to win two tie breaks against the number two seed and will have to show similar qualities to get past Angelique Kerber and into the quarter finals.
However, Kerber is one of the best defensive players in the women’s game, winning 42% of her receiving points in the third round win over Camila Giorgi. Pavlyuchenkova has shown excellent aggression to get to this stage, but Kerber should have the defensive game to return everything thrown at her.
1.5pts - Angelique Kerber to win 1/1
Daniil Medvedev v Stan Wawrinka
Monday 27 January, Australian Open men’s singles fourth round
This promises to be one of the most compelling ties of this year’s Australian Open so far. Daniil Medvedev has so far looked every big the contender he was tipped to be, dropping just one set in the four matches he has played. The Russian has improved with every tie and dropped just nine games against Alexei Popyrin in the third round, breaking his opponent five times.
Stan Wawrinka has found fitness again after a difficult 2019, but has had to struggle through to this stage of the tournament, playing nine sets in his first two rounds. This was helped by the retirement of third round opponent John Isner after just one set, but all the signs point to a Medvedev victory. The Russian has won both matches he has played against Wawrinka, most recently in four sets at last year’s US Open.
1pt - Over 38.5 Total Games 9/10
