2015 Australian Open Draw

[rafanoy1992]

RE: 2015 Australian Open (Jan 19-Feb 1) History at stake!

I think Nadal if plays well should reach the Quarterfinals at the very least. Sure, there is Youzhny and Rosol in his quarter but those players are not of players that could easily go extreme hot especially on a slow/medium pace court. If it was Wimbledon, then I could see Nadal losing before the Quarterfinals.
The only player that I should worry in his quarter is Kevin Anderson. The reason I say this is because Anderson has the big serve that could remove Nadal's rhythm especially if Nadal is still struggling at the point of the tournament.

I understand that anything can happen (eg.last year's final) but you have to give the benefit of the doubt to Nadal. He always finds a way to fight back and play well.

As for Federer, I think he will be fine. The only thing he needs to worry about is that he needs to finish his matches as quickly as possible. If he can't finish his matches as quickly as possible, then I think he will have a hard time going forward at this tournament.

 

[nehmeth]

RE: 2015 Australian Open (Jan 19-Feb 1) History at stake!

Novak is favourite in my eyes, and the pity is that maybe we won't get a repeat of the epic final of 2012. But Nole isn't so solid anymore, and he loses matches he didn't used to..

:snigger He's been losing matches he wasn't supposed to his whole career, much to our chagrin. We'll see how he keeps his focus through the tournament.

 

[Carol]

RE: 2015 Australian Open (Jan 19-Feb 1) History at stake!

Novak is favourite in my eyes, and the pity is that maybe we won't get a repeat of the epic final of 2012. But Nole isn't so solid anymore, and he loses matches he didn't used to..

:snigger He's been losing matches he wasn't supposed to his whole career, much to our chagrin. We'll see how he keeps his focus through the tournament.

To me the 2011 was incredible year for Novak but like many people say including other players, very difficult to repeat. Now he is playing a little better than before that year, beatable like everyone of the top players

 

[brokenshoelace]

RE: 2015 Australian Open (Jan 19-Feb 1) History at stake!

This thing starts in a couple of days? Oh my god. Time scares me. 3 years ago Nadal and Djokovic played their final. I bet when you read this past sentence you paused to think because "that can't be right."

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

This thing starts in a couple of days? Oh my god. Time scares me. 3 years ago Nadal and Djokovic played their final. I bet when you read this past sentence you paused to think because "that can't be right."

Seriously...I thought that final just ended...like yesterday...maybe it WAS yesterday...:snigger

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

This thing starts in a couple of days? Oh my god. Time scares me. 3 years ago Nadal and Djokovic played their final. I bet when you read this past sentence you paused to think because "that can't be right."

Seriously...I thought that final just ended...like yesterday...maybe it WAS yesterday...:snigger

Hey I happened to be there Live at that final...you gotta feel for me....

 

[brokenshoelace]

Every player loses matches they're not supposed to. Since 2011, Novak hasn't done so any more frequently than any other player on tour. Unless Nadal was supposed to lose to Rosol, Darcis, Wawrinka, and Kyrgios, or Federer to Robredo, Stakhovsky, etc... Come to think of it, Nishikori aside, Novak hasn't had losses nearly as bad. Sorry if I don't consider losing to Murray a death sentence-worthy offense.

That's not to say that these losses should be acceptable. On their own, many of them are borderline embarrassing, and in the mind of the player, shouldn't happen (hell, even in the mind of fans). But my point is, it's not like these losses are exclusive to Novak. Now, if we consider his entire career, then yeah, he's had more unacceptable losses than the other two, especially when you factor in the few years between his first slam win and his second, when he was wandering around without an identity.

 

[Fiero425]

This thing starts in a couple of days? Oh my god. Time scares me. 3 years ago Nadal and Djokovic played their final. I bet when you read this past sentence you paused to think because "that can't be right."

Seriously...I thought that final just ended...like yesterday...maybe it WAS yesterday...:snigger

Hey I happened to be there Live at that final...you gotta feel for me....

I'm still trying to recover after all these years! I had been up all day and watched that match into the morning before finally go to bed in a coma! The toweling off and stalling just dragged that match out! Of course Nole's 5 set semi marathon against Murray was only an hour shorter than the final, just short of 5 hours! I'm surprised Nole could get out of bed, much less hang on and win that final from "ahead" again! Too often he's serving for a major and I can't even blame it on him; his opponents just come up with the goods to extend these matches to 5!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

^ Rafa had his chances to win that match,Rafa had a brain fail with shot selection if my memory of that match is still intact,he had the open court and all he had to do was put the ball there,Novak would not have got to it,what do he do,directed a shot right into Novak's hitting zone.I think towards the later stages of that match,both players were mentally tired,Rafa usually always plays the right shot selection in matches,his brain had a 'moment'....big time.BTW I have seen better finals,to me it just became a Boxing Match,with two prize fighters having jabs at each other.

 

[Fiero425]

Every player loses matches they're not supposed to. Since 2011, Novak hasn't done so any more frequently than any other player on tour. Unless Nadal was supposed to lose to Rosol, Darcis, Wawrinka, and Kyrgios, or Federer to Robredo, Stakhovsky, etc... Come to think of it, Nishikori aside, Novak hasn't had losses nearly as bad. Sorry if I don't consider losing to Murray a death sentence-worthy offense.

That's not to say that these losses should be acceptable. On their own, many of them are borderline embarrassing, and in the mind of the player, shouldn't happen (hell, even in the mind of fans). But my point is, it's not like these losses are exclusive to Novak. Now, if we consider his entire career, then yeah, he's had more unacceptable losses than the other two, especially when you factor in the few years between his first slam win and his second, when he was wandering around without an identity.

As good as Nole is, he's still the most vulnerable for some reason! He's not as mentally tough as Nadal and Federer and has had losses totally unexpected like to Ivo last week in Qatar! Djokovic is the most consistent over the years; his worst in '13 with resurgence of Nadal! If not for his AO, it might have been a wasted season in comparison to '11 & '14! This is his time and he's got to re-establish his hold on this tourney; trophy s/b named after him, but that's another thread:

- http://www.tennisfrontier.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=737 - :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Vince Evert]

I think Nadal if plays well should reach the Quarterfinals at the very least. Sure, there is Youzhny and Rosol in his quarter but those players are not of players that could easily go extreme hot especially on a slow/medium pace court. If it was Wimbledon, then I could see Nadal losing before the Quarterfinals.
The only player that I should worry in his quarter is Kevin Anderson. The reason I say this is because Anderson has the big serve that could remove Nadal's rhythm especially if Nadal is still struggling at the point of the tournament.

I understand that anything can happen (eg.last year's final) but you have to give the benefit of the doubt to Nadal. He always finds a way to fight back and play well.

As for Federer, I think he will be fine. The only thing he needs to worry about is that he needs to finish his matches as quickly as possible. If he can't finish his matches as quickly as possible, then I think he will have a hard time going forward at this tournament.

Why should Kevin Anderson be considered a threat to Nadal :huh: Has he lost to the South African before? For all intents and purposes the AO Courts are probably going to remain slow this year (which I don't agree with but that's another matter) and therefore the tall mans serves and groundies will be ineffective to do any damage to Nadal.

 

[Vince Evert]

Novak is favourite in my eyes, and the pity is that maybe we won't get a repeat of the epic final of 2012. But Nole isn't so solid anymore, and he loses matches he didn't used to..

:snigger He's been losing matches he wasn't supposed to his whole career, much to our chagrin. We'll see how he keeps his focus through the tournament.

:huh:

What do you mean 'keeps his focus' ? That's been his greatest asset since 2010. Apart from losing to Wawrinka at last year's QF , Nole's record of making the SF and beyond has been impeccable.

 

[nehmeth]

Novak is favourite in my eyes, and the pity is that maybe we won't get a repeat of the epic final of 2012. But Nole isn't so solid anymore, and he loses matches he didn't used to..

:snigger He's been losing matches he wasn't supposed to his whole career, much to our chagrin. We'll see how he keeps his focus through the tournament.

:huh:

What do you mean 'keeps his focus' ? That's been his greatest asset since 2010. Apart from losing to Wawrinka at last year's QF , Nole's record of making the SF and beyond has been impeccable.

My friend Kieran thinks he isn't as solid. My point is that he has surprised us with some inexplicable losses throughout his career. He has an excellent record in Oz. I believe he will do well again this year.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I think Nadal if plays well should reach the Quarterfinals at the very least. Sure, there is Youzhny and Rosol in his quarter but those players are not of players that could easily go extreme hot especially on a slow/medium pace court. If it was Wimbledon, then I could see Nadal losing before the Quarterfinals.
The only player that I should worry in his quarter is Kevin Anderson. The reason I say this is because Anderson has the big serve that could remove Nadal's rhythm especially if Nadal is still struggling at the point of the tournament.

I understand that anything can happen (eg.last year's final) but you have to give the benefit of the doubt to Nadal. He always finds a way to fight back and play well.

As for Federer, I think he will be fine. The only thing he needs to worry about is that he needs to finish his matches as quickly as possible. If he can't finish his matches as quickly as possible, then I think he will have a hard time going forward at this tournament.

Why should Kevin Anderson be considered a threat to Nadal :huh: Has he lost to the South African before? For all intents and purposes the AO Courts are probably going to remain slow this year (which I don't agree with but that's another matter) and therefore the tall mans serves and groundies will be ineffective to do any damage to Nadal.

The reason I said that Anderson could potentially be a threat to Nadal is because of his serve. Yes, I understand that the AO courts are medium pace court so it could neutralize his big serve. However, if Nadal is still struggling with his form up to that point then it might be "trap" match. Do I think Anderson will beat Nadal if they meet? No, but you never what can happen on any given day. Just look at last year's Australian Open final.

 

[Vince Evert]

We shall see how he fares this year.

Hey Nehmeth, me thinks that the ITF and the GS ought to desiganate the 32 seedings so for example all of the seeds with even numbers are in the bottom section while all the uneven seeds are at the top half of the draw. Makes sense. Simply put, Number 1 should be desiganted to meet Number 3 in a SF.

 

[Kieran]

^^ That's because you're a Fedfan. Of course you don't want him to face Rafa...

 

[Vince Evert]

I think Nadal if plays well should reach the Quarterfinals at the very least. Sure, there is Youzhny and Rosol in his quarter but those players are not of players that could easily go extreme hot especially on a slow/medium pace court. If it was Wimbledon, then I could see Nadal losing before the Quarterfinals.
The only player that I should worry in his quarter is Kevin Anderson. The reason I say this is because Anderson has the big serve that could remove Nadal's rhythm especially if Nadal is still struggling at the point of the tournament.

I understand that anything can happen (eg.last year's final) but you have to give the benefit of the doubt to Nadal. He always finds a way to fight back and play well.

As for Federer, I think he will be fine. The only thing he needs to worry about is that he needs to finish his matches as quickly as possible. If he can't finish his matches as quickly as possible, then I think he will have a hard time going forward at this tournament.

Why should Kevin Anderson be considered a threat to Nadal :huh: Has he lost to the South African before? For all intents and purposes the AO Courts are probably going to remain slow this year (which I don't agree with but that's another matter) and therefore the tall mans serves and groundies will be ineffective to do any damage to Nadal.

The reason I said that Anderson could potentially be a threat to Nadal is because of his serve. Yes, I understand that the AO courts are medium pace court so it could neutralize his big serve. However, if Nadal is still struggling with his form up to that point then it might be "trap" match. Do I think Anderson will beat Nadal if they meet? No, but you never what can happen on any given day. Just look at last year's Australian Open final.

Does it matter in this day and age, if a Top player going in to his first major, hasn't played any recent tennis ? On what basis are you making the assumption that Nadal 'is still struggling with his form' ? Wait until after his opening round at least.

 

[Vince Evert]

^^ That's because you're a Fedfan. Of course you don't want him to face Rafa...

Well yeah that's what started this. But seriously if the seedings at the GS was designated, it might silence up some of the whinners who complains that the draws are rigged. Makes sense.

Another point. The GS seeds should be according to Players past record and abilities to play on a given surface, not strictly based on ATP/WTA rankings. Kind of like what they do at Wimbly in other words.

 

[Carol]

I always say that predictionsh are more wishes than successes because at the end nobody knows who is going to win. It wouldn't be the first time that we would be surprised about the winner and not even the last time, 2014 was a good example, who would had thought that Wawrinca went to be the AO winner? none one, and what about Cilic the USO? none one neither.
Anyway is fun to guess who is going to win and of course if our fav is in that list, yeah!
And I love to say VAMOS!!!!!!!

My goodness, sorry for my bad typing. I meant 'predictions' and 'Wawrinka' :covercry:huh:
I blame to my IPad

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I think Nadal if plays well should reach the Quarterfinals at the very least. Sure, there is Youzhny and Rosol in his quarter but those players are not of players that could easily go extreme hot especially on a slow/medium pace court. If it was Wimbledon, then I could see Nadal losing before the Quarterfinals.
The only player that I should worry in his quarter is Kevin Anderson. The reason I say this is because Anderson has the big serve that could remove Nadal's rhythm especially if Nadal is still struggling at the point of the tournament.

I understand that anything can happen (eg.last year's final) but you have to give the benefit of the doubt to Nadal. He always finds a way to fight back and play well.

As for Federer, I think he will be fine. The only thing he needs to worry about is that he needs to finish his matches as quickly as possible. If he can't finish his matches as quickly as possible, then I think he will have a hard time going forward at this tournament.

Your worries are misplaced. Rafa's main threats are Youzhny and Rosol. If he gets by them,
he will surely reach at least an SF.