Aussie Open Day 10: Match Analysis and Picks
By Charles Bricker
Yesterday's record: 3-1
Tourney record: 25-9 (+15.44 units)
(1) RAFAEL NADAL (-775) VS. (7) DAVID FERRER (+647)
Ferrer confronts one of the very few players who can run with him and, in this case, out-run him. Unfortunately, Ferrer has little else to hurt Nadal, who leads their all-time series 11-3 and who has won 10 sets in a row in this matchup.
Winner: Nadal
(5) ANDY MURRAY (-785) VS. ALEXANDR DOGOLPOLOV (+654)
Despite the Ukarine's youth, they've played once five years ago in Davis Cup with Murray winning. A Dogolpolov victory here would be a monumental upset. He has an unorthodox game with a lot of swat forehands, but it's hard to see him winning over Murray's experience, especially at this state of a Grand Slam where the pressure has mounted.
Winner: Murray
(3) Kim Clijsters (-735) vs. (12) Agniezska Radwanska (+618)
They've played only once before at the 2006 Wimbledon when Radwanska was 17 and ranked 217, so throw that one out as a benchmark. This comes down to Radwanska's defense and ground stroking consistency versus Cliljsters' uninhibited aggressive play. Looking ahead to a Clijsters-Zvonareva semi.
Winner: Clijsters
(2) Vera Zvonareva (-184) vs. (25) Petra Kvitova (+169)
Zvonareva has had a cozy draw, facing just one seeded player - No. 31 Lucie Safarova. She now has the possibility of reaching the semis without playing anyone seeded in the Top 16. Kvitova, meanwhile, has been pushed hard to beat Sam Stosur and Flavia Pennetta. Head-to-head is 1-1.
Winner: Zvonareva