2018 Australian Open - Early Chatter

[Denis]

I don’t see Stan reaching the qf

 

[the AntiPusher]

Novak fell into Sasha's quarterfinals instead of Roger's..i thought since Novak is the 14 seed it would've happen the other way.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I don’t see Stan reaching the qf

Never know which Stan is gonna show up.he should have tennis fresh legs since he hasnt played since Rafa destoyed him at RG.

 

[Busted]

Just saw the draw and of course once again Roger's side is stacked with all the toughest players while Nadal's side looks like, at best, a 500 event. Amazing how that keeps happening. Even rusty and on creaky knees he should at least make the semis if not the final. Roger's draw gets tough at the QF when he could play DelPo again. And then if he makes the semis he'll like have to play Djokovic (really can't see Zverev coming out of that quarter). Worst case scenario he has to beat DelPo, Djokovic and Nadal to repeat. Nadal's worst case scenario is Cilic QF, Dimitrov or Wawrinka SF, Federer or Djokovic in the final. I'd rather have Nadal's draw...mainly because I doubt Kyrgios makes it to the 2nd week.

 

[Busted]

I don’t see Stan reaching the qf

Me either. I'll be surprised if he makes it past the 3rd round.

 

[Busted]

Novak fell into Sasha's quarterfinals instead of Roger's..i thought since Novak is the 14 seed it would've happen the other way.

I'm sure both Roger and Novak are breathing a sigh of relief about that. They can't meet until the semis and that looks very doable to Djokovic. Provided his elbow is fine I don't think my prediction that he'll win the title is that far-fetched now that I've seen the draw.

 

[Busted]

Agreed. Tomic is very talented and I personally think it's not all down to him not caring even though he has said so himself in interviews. People have probably already forgotten Tomic had bilateral hip surgery (at age 21 I believe) so his lack of trying and not moving much may not all be choice. The guy could barely move and yet still only lost the 1 set he played at the AO 2014 by 6-4 to Nadal. He was just standing there unable to move but firing winners like nothing making a monkey out of him till 4-4. You can't do that without a lot of talent. At 6' 5" he also has a very good serve and it's a shame how his career has gone. I reckon without the bilateral hip surgeries and his dad as his coach he could have been a much, much better player.

Aside from the injury I think Tomic's biggest problem has been that beating the elite players - the top 4-5 - is harder work than he thought it would be. The talent gap between him and those guys is huge. Playing Federer twice at the AO early in his career showed him a whole new level that he'd have to get - and I think it was simply more hard work than he wanted to do and probably didn't have the confidence that even had an extra gear - mentally and physically - to take his game to.

 

[Busted]

Basically Roger has Stan, Novak, Delpo, Raonic, Zverev, Goffin, Querrey, Berdych and Thiem in his half. Oh joy...

I thought Wawrinka was in the top half? Otherwise...like I said earlier...Nadal has another 250/500 event going on his half of the draw. The only opening round match in the top half that looks sort of interesting to me is Shapovalov/Tsitsipas. Otherwise, is there really any need to pay attention to the top half until the QF/SF stage?

 

[Denis]

^this is always the case at a slam and especially now with a generally weaker field imo

First week is just about seeing your favorite do well and tune in for the occasional match that goes the distance or the potential ongoing upset.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Roger's draw is very tricky. Hope he plays his best tennis.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Good matches to match (round one and possible matches):

Djokovic vs Sasha (R4)
Berdych vs Del Potro (R3)
Rublev vs Ferrer R1
Kyrgios vs Shapo (R3)

Can Shapo beat Tsonga?

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Federer's draw:

R1: Bedene
R2: Struff
R3: Gasquet
R4: Raonic/Querrey
QF: Goffin/Del Potro/Berdych
SF: Wawrinka/Djokovic
F: Nadal/Dimitrov

P.S.: There are a lot of other possibilities too, for e.g.: Kyrgios emerging out of the top half. Who knows? This is going to be a very unpredictable slam, even more than it was last year.

 

[mrzz]

I'm sure both Roger and Novak are breathing a sigh of relief about that.

If I were Federer, or any other top player with serious aspirations for the title, I would rather play Djokovic early on than on the final.

 

[the AntiPusher]

If I were Federer, or any other top player with serious aspirations for the title, I would rather play Djokovic early on than on the final.

I dont give a damn when Novak plays Roger .. As long as he plays him pre Rafa is cool with me

 

[Denis]

I dont give a damn when Novak plays Roger .. As long as he plays him pre Rafa is cool with me

That about sums it up. Novak was always going to have to face Fedal if the seeds play out. For Fedal it was hoping that Novak would end up in their significant others half.

I agree with mrrz that a semi rather than earlier in the tournament is both a disadvantage for Fed as it is for Novak. Means facing Nadal right after when the semi is likely not going to be a cupcake.

 

[MartyB]

A healthy and fit Fed on this fast surface despite the draw is still the favorite I think...i don't believe Stan will do well here or Raonic. I like Fed's chances against DelPo (if he makes it through) here as well. Zverev against Djokovic if that happens it will be a very interesting match. I think Djokovic can present the same problems to Zverev that Roger does...I see a Fed/Djokovic semi..I think Kyrgios breaks though at this AO. I think he takes out Dimitrov and poses the greatest risk to Nadal getting to the final.

 

[El Dude]

I see either one of Kyrgios or Dimitrov posing a big problem for Rafa, who I don't expect to make the final. Kyrgios is playing really well and finally seems hungry, and Dimitrov--who almost beat Rafa last year--is more mature and has now won two big titles, with greater confidence and poise.

I see Federer or Djokovic vs. Kyrgios or Dimitrov.

That said, though I want Roger to win, I also would love to see a del Potro vs. Dimitrov/Kyrgios final.

 

[El Dude]

Section 3 is a NextGen extravaganza: Kyrgios, Rublev, Tsitsipas, Shapovalov. This is Rublev's first Slam seeding (he's #30), although not a very fortunate 1R opponent in Ferrer, who even in decline could be problematic.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I see either one of Kyrgios or Dimitrov posing a big problem for Rafa, who I don't expect to make the final. Kyrgios is playing really well and finally seems hungry, and Dimitrov--who almost beat Rafa last year--is more mature and has now won two big titles, with greater confidence and poise.

I see Federer or Djokovic vs. Kyrgios or Dimitrov.

That said, though I want Roger to win, I also would love to see a del Potro vs. Dimitrov/Kyrgios final.

Sometimes I think that you say these about Rafa knowing that Moxie or I will Crucify you. How many times does Rafa has to beat these guys before you consider him a REAL threat on a non clay surface? Only a jaded Rafa facing a fresher Fed or Novak really concerns me.

 

[El Dude]

Sometimes I think that you say these about Rafa knowing that Moxie or I will Crucify you. How many times does Rafa has to beat these guys before you consider him a REAL threat on a non clay surface? Only a jaded Rafa facing a fresher Fed or Novak really concerns me.

Of course he is a real threat on a non-clay surface - I am not in any way impugning his ability. Stop thinking all Federer fans are Darth242. I wouldn't put money on Kyrgios/Dimitrov, I just like what I've seen from both and couple that with Rafa's questionable health and possible rust, think they have a good chance of beating him.