Ricky’s Picks For Day 7 Of The Australian Open, Including Nadal vs. Berdych & Federer vs. Tsitsipas

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece celebrates after defeating Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia during their round three men’s singles match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2019. EPA-EFE/DAVID CROSLING

 

 

By Ricky Dimon • @Dimonator

 

Fourth-round action at the Australian Open begins on Sunday, when Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer continue their fortnights. Nadal is going up against Tomas Berdych, while Federer faces Stefanos Tsitsipas. Ricky previews three of the best matchups and makes his picks.

 

Tomas Berdych vs. (2) Rafael Nadal

The eye test would suggest that Berdych is the prototypical player who would consistently give Nadal all kinds of trouble. He is a huge hitter who serves big, strikes everything hard and flat, and can combat the 17-time slam champion’s heavy topspin with both his height and his two-handed backhand. Unfortunately for Berdych, reality is much, much different. He is 4-19 lifetime in the head-to-head series and an alarming 1-18 in their last 19 encounters. Additional bad news for the unseeded Czech is that Nadal no longer looks vulnerable like he did heading into this event. The No. 2 seed has bludgeoned three straight Aussie opponents–including Alex de Minaur–all in straights. Berdych is in stellar form, too, but he hasn’t faced anyone like Nadal during his comeback from a back problem. Nadal in 4.

 

(3) Roger Federer vs. (14) Stefanos Tsitsipas

Not unlike Novak Djokovic vs. Denis Shapovalov on Saturday, this is all-time great vs. youthful flair. The Djokovic-Shapovalov tilt went about as expected, with the Candian enjoying patches of brilliance before ultimately going down in four mostly routine sets. I expect something similar on Sunday. Tsitsipas is extremely talented, but this is just his appearance in the fourth round of a major and his first one ended with a straight-set loss (to John Isner last summer at Wimbledon). Moreover, Federer has been on fire through three rounds Down Under. The 37-year-old Swiss will offer a free lesson; but he may be nice enough to donate a set. Federer in 4.

 

France Tiafoe vs. (20) Grigor Dimitrov

There is no doubt in my mind that Tiafoe is the real deal. Any lingering questions evaporated after the American ousted Kevin Anderson in round two came back from two sets to one down against Andreas Seppi two days later for the first five-set win of his career. Perhaps even more impressive is Tiafoe’s mentality and determination that has been on display en route to his first “second week” appearance at a Grand Slam. He will need all of that again versus Dimitrov, who is–as usual–playing his best ball Down Under. In any other setting I might lean toward Tiafoe, but the Bulgarian is a proven force in Melbourne (and everywhere else in Australia, for that matter). Dimitrov survived their only previous contest 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(4) last summer in Toronto and another thriller should be in the cards for this weekend. Dimitrov in 5.

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @TennGrand.