ROUND OF 16 MATCHES:
Federer (1) over Monaco (21)
A great run ends here in the Round of 16 for Juan Monaco. Federer is just too fast, too strong, too experienced…too good. He will be playing in the quarterfinals. No reason to hang your head though, Juan, it was a strong performance this year.
Gonzalez (7) over Blake (12)
I think that not only has Gonzalez had an easier road to this point than Blake, but he is just playing better tennis at this point. Expect Gonzalez to move on and set up a rematch with Federer in the quarters.
Hewitt (19) over Djokovic (3)
Maybe this is my heart and not my head, but I really think that this might be Lleyton’s last good chance to win his home major. He has won Wimbledon and the US Open, but never here in Melbourne. The crowd might be enough to propel Lleyton to an upset in this incredibly tough match, moving him into the quarterfinals.
Ferrer (5) over Nalbandian (10)
I predict that the “New Lleyton” will have just enough to get past David Nalbandian, setting up a quarterfinal matchup with the “Original Lleyton.” I would be shocked if this match did not go 5 sets and 5+ hours. Settle in for some INCREDIBLE shot-making and a ridiculous display of professional athleticism and fitness. This match should have it all, with Ferrer finding just one more gear than Nalbandian.
Murray (9) over Gasquet (8)
Another heart-breaking loss for Team France, as the Englishman Andy Murray moves on to the quarterfinals. I think Murray’s serve might make the slightest difference and enable him to move past the strong, talented Frenchman.
Wawrinka (26) over Youzhny (14)
I expect the surprise of the tournament to continue to be Stanislas Wawrinka. As good as I think Youzhny is, he does seem to get rattled by the bright lights and the pressure of late-round Grand Slam matches. I like Wawrinka to surprise everyone with a date with Andy Murray in the most surprising quarterfinal matchup.
Robredo (11) over Roddick (6)
Though I am most excited about the Hewitt-Ferrer potential quarterfinal, the rest of the tennis world is raving about the Roddick-Nadal possible matchup. However, I think that the world may be let down–again–by Andy Roddick because I like the Spaniard, Tommy Robredo to move on into the quarters.
Nadal (2) over Moya (16)
A battle of Spaniards pits the #2 Nadal against his childhood idol, Carlos Moya. Nadal has not shown any nerves in their first several meetings, owning Moya whenever I have seen them play. I do not expect this to be any different, and I see Nadal moving on to face yet another Spaniard in the quarterfinal round.
QUARTERFINALS:
Federer (1) over Gonzalez (7)
Gonzalez will probably never play as well as he played in the first two sets of his match against Federer in last year’s US Open–and he only split those sets. Federer then figured him and out and Gonzalez returned to earth. I expect Federer to continue to cruise and probably go into the semis without dropping a set.
Hewitt (19) over Ferrer (5)
The Australian fans. The urgency of Hewitt to finally win an Australian Open. Ferrer’s exhausting Round of 16 match against David Nalbandian. All of these things point to yet another “homer” pick of mine. I like Hewitt to move into the semifinals and a shot at Roger Federer.
Murray (9) over Wawrinka (26)
And the dream of an all-Swiss final ends here, as Andy Murray completes his breakout party and officially declares his arrival on tour, with a semifinal appearance in Melbourne. I do not think this will be easy, but I like the hard-serving Brit over the hard-serving Swiss.
Nadal (2) over Robredo (11)
Disposing of his 2nd straight countryman, Nadal should breeze through to another Grand Slam semi. Like Federer, Nadal may not even lose a set to this point.
SEMIFINALS:
Federer (1) over Hewitt (19)
The Aussie dream ends here, as Roger Federer was too good for Hewitt even during Hewitt’s prime. And, since then, Roger has only gotten better, while Lleyton has shown his age. A great run in front of his home fans ends two wins short, as Lleyton goes down to the best player of all-time.
Nadal (2) over Murray (9)
Another Grand Slam dream ends two wins short, as Andy Murray goes down to the superior player, Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. Nadal is just flat-out too good for Murray, who relies too much on serves and net play to be able to run with Nadal and his incredible return game and passing game. The real question in the semis is will Federer or Nadal even lose a set by now?
THE FINAL:
Federer (1) over Nadal (2)
Trust me, I really wanted to make the case for Rafael Nadal. As much as I love dynasties, the dominance of Roger Federer is getting a little old. However, there is a reason why he is one of the two most dominant athletes in the world today and that is because he is so good at his baseline, and when the stakes get higher, he gets even better. I think he will win another war with Nadal, but probably not even need the 5th set. Expect yet another Grand Slam title for the best there that’s ever been.
