2016 Dubai Tennis Championships- Nick Kyrgios vs Tomas Berdych

3rd seed Tomas Berdych looks to make amends for his loss to Nick Kyrgios in Marseille last week as the two face off again in the Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals. This match is set to take place at 15:00 Dubai Time (11:00 UK Time) and the winner will face 8th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber or 2nd seed Stan Wawrinka in the semi-finals.

It is Berdych that has had the most comfortable road to the quarter-finals. The 3rd seed started with a strong 6-1 6-4 win over the potentially tricky Joao Sousa and continued his impressive form with a 6-2 6-2 win over qualifier Thomas Fabbiano. Following his title in Marseille it was a slow start for Kyrgios; the Australian had to battle from a set down to beat the dangerous Martin Klizan 3-6 6-3 6-2. However he was more comfortable in a 6-3 6-2 win over Mikhail Kukushkin and is in good form coming into this clash.

Berdych’s best chance to win this match is to play just like he has so far. He’ll certainly need to serve well considering how well Kyrgios has been returning of late and will certainly need to defend well, as Kyrgios arguably has the more powerful game and could dictate many rallies. However despite the loss last week Berdych has more experience than the Australian and Kyrgios could well be worn out after an extremely short turn around from Marseille. The Australian will be confident from beating Berdych last week and winning his first career title, and if he serves well he has a strong chance to win this. However Berdych, if he plays well, could have the stronger game overall.

The head to head between the two is 1-1, with Kyrgios winning 6-4 6-2 in Marseille last week and Berdych winning in four sets at the Australian Open in January. This match could well be tight and Kyrgios is certainly playing well enough to win again, though could well be worn out after a tough few days and with Berdych playing well, the 3rd seed should edge this.

Prediction: Berdych in 3

 

 

2016 Australian Open- Roger Federer vs Tomas Berdych

Two veterans of the ATP tour face off in the first men’s quarter-final at the 2016 Australian Open as 3rd seed Roger Federer faces 6th seed Tomas Berdych. This match takes place on the Rod Laver Arena at around 15:00 Melbourne Time (04:00 UK Time) and the winner will face top seed Novak Djokovic or 7th seed Kei Nishikori in the semi-final; you can see my prediction for that match here.

Federer has had the more comfortable road of two to get to this stage. The former world number one eased past Nikoloz Basilashvili and the tricky Alexandr Dolgopolov in his opening round and despite dropping a set to 27th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the third round, he was in dominant form in the fourth round as he cruised past 16th seed David Goffin in just 88 minutes; the fact that Goffin didn’t played badly shows how impressive Federer was. Berdych started with comfortable wins over Yuki Bhambri and Mirza Besic, though dropped a set to 29th seed Nick Kyrgios in the third round and was pushed to five set against 24th seed Roberto Bautista Agut after that; he is not playing badly, but will need to play much better to have a chance here.

The Swiss star is the better player of the two and is in better form than Berdych; he’ll be extremely hard to beat if he continues to play like that. He will want to continue to serve well and should look to try and keep the rallies short; if he wins this, he could well face Djokovic in the semi-final and he’ll need as much energy as possible if that happens. Berdych will need to improve and should look to serve extremely well; he will also need to look at finishing the points as quickly as possible, though that is because Federer is more likely to win the rally the longer it goes on.

Federer leads the head to head 15-6 and has won the last four meetings between the two. The Swiss star is playing at a superb standard of tennis and it is hard to see him losing here; if Berdych doesn’t improve, he could win it comfortably.

Prediction: Federer in 3

 

 

ATP World Tour Finals- Player Profiles

It’s been another great year on the ATP, and the tour action finishes in London as the top eight players in the world look to finish their season on a high. Here are some fact files for each player, including what chance I think they have of being able to win the tournament.

The draw is later today, so look out for my draw prediction in the coming days!

Novak Djokovic

• Ranking: 1st
• 2015 W/L Record: 78-5
• Best Grand Slam Performance: Winner- Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open
• Titles in 2015: 10
• Opportunity to win: 9/10

Andy Murray

• Ranking: 2nd
• 2015 W/L Record: 68-12
• Best Grand Slam Performance: Runner-up- Australian Open
• Titles in 2015: 4
• Opportunity to win: 7/10

Roger Federer

• Ranking: 3rd
• 2015 W/L Record: 59-10
• Best Grand Slam Performance: Runner-up- Wimbledon and US Open
• Titles in 2015: 6
• Opportunity to win: 7.5/10

Stan Wawrinka

• Ranking: 4th
• 2015 W/L Record: 53-16
• Best Grand Slam Performance: Winner- French Open
• Titles in 2015: 4
• Opportunity to win: 6/10

Rafael Nadal

• Ranking: 5th
• 2015 W/L Record: 58-19
• Best Grand Slam Performance: Quarter-Final- Australian Open and French Open
• Titles in 2015: 3
• Opportunity to win: 5.5/10

Tomas Berdych

• Ranking: 6th
• 2015 W/L Record: 57-19
• Best Grand Slam Performance: Semi-Final- Australian Open
• Titles in 2015: 2
• Opportunity to win: 4.5/10

David Ferrer

• Ranking: 7th
• 2015 W/L Record: 55-13
• Best Grand Slam Performance: Quarter-Final- French Open
• Titles in 2015: 5
• Opportunity to win: 3.5/10

Kei Nishikori

• Ranking: 8th
• 2015 W/L Record: 53-14
• Best Grand Slam Performance: Quarter-Final- Australian Open and French Open
• Titles in 2015: 3
• Opportunity to win: 4/10

2015 Shanghai Rolex Masters- Andy Murray vs Tomas Berdych

The final quarter-final of the 2015 Shanghai Rolex Masters sees and interesting match between 3rd seed Andy Murray and 5th seed Tomas Berdych. This match takes place at 20:00 Beijing Time (13:00 UK Time).

It’s been a very good year for Murray so far, and he has played some good tennis here. He started comfortably with a 6-2 6-4 2nd round win over Steve Johnson, but then had to battle past John Isner 6-7 6-4 6-4 in a high quality match in which both men played well. For Berdych it’s been another consistent year, capped by a title in Shenzhen, though he will be looking to try to secure qualification for London as soon as possible. He had a tough opening match, battling past Jack Sock 7-6 4-6 6-4 in the 2nd round, but then played very well in a surprisingly comfortable 6-3 6-3 win over Gilles Simon. Both men are playing well coming into this match.

What makes this match so interesting is that the head to head between the two is 6-6, though Murray has won both meetings this year- in the semi-finals of the Australian Open and Miami. As usual, it is crucial for Murray to serve well and not give Berdych too many second serves. This is similar for Berdych, though he will need to be able to keep up his level from his match against Simon.

Whilst this match could be tight, Murray has played better tennis this year and should be able to win this one. If he is playing very well, he could win comfortably.

Prediction: Murray in 2

2015 China Open- Day 5 Men’s Picks

There is a mixture of matches taking place in the Men’s draw in Beijing, with two final 1st round matches taking place as well as the 2nd round action beginning- here are three of my predictions!

Pablo Cuevas vs Tomas Berdych

Shenzhen champion and 2nd seed Tomas Berdych looks to get his campaign off to a good start as he faces Pablo Cuevas 2nd on the Lotus Court. Berdych will be full of confidence after his 1st title of the year in Shenzhen, and has played well in China so far. Whilst this season hasn’t hit the heights of 2014 for Pablo Cuevas, he has still had a pretty solid year and is still in the top 40. However whilst the two have never played before, Berdych is a much better player than Cuevas (Especially on hard courts) and should have far too much for the Uruguayan here.

Prediction: Berdych in 2

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez vs Ivo Karlovic

Two veterans of the tour face off in another 1st round match as Shenzhen runner-up Guillermo Garcia-Lopez faces the big serving Ivo Karlovic in the 2nd match on Moon Court. Both men will be comfortable, with Garcia-Lopez having a strong tournament in Shenzhen and Karlovic having a strong year in general. Incredibly the two haven’t played since 2007 (Garcia-Lopez leads the head to head 2-1) though it will be interesting to see how well Garcia-Lopez has recovered from Shenzhen. It should be tight, though I think Karlovic should have too much power for the Spaniard.

Prediction: Karlovic in 3

Vasek Pospisil vs Rafael Nadal

An interesting 2nd round match ends action on the National Tennis Stadium as Vasek Pospisil takes on 3rd seed Rafael Nadal. Pospisil had work hard to beat Victor Estrella Burgos in the 1st round, but has had a decent year and could trouble Nadal with his big serve and powerful ground strokes. Nadal won his 1st round match in straight sets, against Wu Di, though didn’t play particularly well and will need to improve against Pospisil. This should be a tight match, with lots of long rallies and it will not be easy for either of them. Nadal should come through this, though Pospisil should also not make it easy for him.

Prediction: Nadal in 3

Also in action

4th seed David Ferrer could have a tricky 2nd round match against Lukas Rosol, whilst Yen-Hsun Lu takes on Viktor Troicki and Andreas Haider-Maurer faces Jack Sock.

2015 US Open- Day 8 Picks

There is another great day of action in New York, with 16 players aiming to reach the quarter-finals. With several big names in action and many interesting matches taking place, it should be an exciting day- here are three of my predictions!

John Isner vs Roger Federer

The crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium will get really involved in this match as American No.1 and 13th seed John Isner faces 2nd seed and 5 time champion Roger Federer. Neither man has lost a set so far, and with both men serving well it could be a tight battle- expect tiebreaks! Federer has been in vintage form of late and is he plays like he did in Cincinnati, he will be attacking Isner’s big serve early to try and rush the points. Federer leads the head to head 4-1, winning their last meeting at the Olympics in 2012, though Isner’s sole win over Federer came earlier that year in the Davis Cup. Isner certainly can win this match if he serves well, though Federer also serves well and is more comfortable at the net than the big American. Isner could nick a set, though Federer should go through to the quarter-finals.

Prediction: Federer in 4

Sabine Lisicki vs Simona Halep

Simona Halep is looking to make the US Open quarter-finals for the first time as she takes on 24th seed Sabine Lisicki today on Louis Armstrong Stadium. Halep has eased to the 4th round so far, and has won her past three meetings against Lisicki- including a crushing victory over the German last year at Wimbledon. Lisicki is a very good player when she’s at her best and that was evident until the 3rd round, where she had to come from 1-5 down in the decider to beat Barbora Strycova. Lisicki does have the firepower to beat someone with a diminutive frame like Halep, but is consistently inconsistent and can be prone to too many errors. Halep could be tested today, but should get through to the last 8 comfortably.

Prediction: Halep in 2

Tomas Berdych vs Richard Gasquet

There could be an interesting match here as 6th seed Tomas Berdych faces 12th seed Richard Gasquet on Louis Armstrong Stadium. The head to head is evenly poised at 6-6, and considering that both men have been in decent form so far this year it could be a close match. Berdych has won the last three meetings between the two, and has been slightly more comfortable so far-dropping just one set. Gasquet has had a more difficult road, dropping 3 sets, but saved his most impressive performance for a 6-4 6-3 6-1 win over Bernard Tomic on saturday. Both men are consistent, though Gasquet has the bigger weapon in his backhand and Berdych didn’t have the greatest build up to the tournament. It should be tight, and I think Gasquet will edge this.

Prediction: Gasquet in 5

Sam Stosur vs Flavia Pennetta

2011 Champion and 22nd Sam Stosur will have to overturn a 0-6 head to head against 26th seed Flavia Pennetta if she wants to reach the quarter-finals. Stosur has only dropped one set, against 16th seed Sara Errani, so far in this tournament and was comfortable before then, suggesting she could be a threat for the remainder of the tournament. Pennetta often plays well at the US Open, and considering how she’s never lost to Stosur she’ll be confident today. Pennetta has been tested more than Stosur but based on how well she plays here and how well she’s managed against Stosur in the past, she should come through this one.

Prediction: Pennetta in 3

Also in action

On the men’s side 5th seed Stan Wawrinka looks to end the run of Donald Young, whilst 3rd seed Andy Murray faces 15th seed Kevin Anderson. On the women’s side 20th seed and two-time finalist Victoria Azarenka faces Vavara Lepchenko, whilst 5th seed Petra Kvitova aims to end the run of qualifier Johanna Konta.

W&S Open- Men’s Quarter-Finals

Only eight men are left standing in Cincinnati, with many of the big names in action but also some surprise quarter-finalists- it should be exciting! Here are my predictions!

Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka

We have an epic quarter-final here, as top seed Novak Djokovic faces 5th seed Stan Wawrinka for the first time since the French Open final in June. Djokovic eased past Benoit Paire in an entertaining match in the second round, but had to battle from a double break down in the final set before eventually seeing off David Goffin in three sets. Wawrinka has been pushed to three sets in both his matches, coming from a set down to beat both Borna Coric and Ivo Karlovic. Wawrinka is not playing his best tennis, which may be due to the events of last week, but is usually able to raise his level against the the world No. 1. Djokovic also may not be in his best form, and Wawrinka is one of the few people who can bully Djokovic off the court. It should be close, but on current form it seems Djokovic will have the edge.

Prediction: Djokovic in 3

Alexandr Dolgopolov vs Tomas Berdych

Tomas Berdych has a great opportunity to reach the semi-finals as he faces Qualifier Alexandr Dolgopolov in the quarter-finals. After an early loss in Montreal, Berdych has bounced back well this week, easing past Tomaz Bellucci before crushing Tommy Robredo for the loss of just one game in the third round. Dolgopolov was fortunate enough to get a bye in the 1st round following the withdrawal of Kei Nishikori, and battled past Jerzy Janowicz in the third round after easing past Bernard Tomic in his first match. Dolgopolov is certainly talented, but has lost all four of his previous meetings against Berdych. Whilst he hasn’t won a title yet this year, Berdych has had a pretty consistent year and should come through this one.

Prediction: Berdych in 2

Richard Gasquet vs Andy Murray

Andy Murray will have a difficult match against Richard Gasquet, and he’ll be hoping it’s a bit more comfortable than his match early this morning. After seeing off Mardy Fish in straight sets, he saved two match points and came from behind several times to eventually see off Grigor Dimitrov. 12th seed Gasquet has been comfortable so far, seeing off Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis and 7th seed Marin Cilic all in straight sets. Murray leads the head to head 5-3 and if Gasquet wants to get his fourth victory he will need to hope his one-handed backhand is firing. Also he will need to hope for Murray to be slightly below his normal level, but Murray is the stronger of the two and should edge this one.

Prediction; Murray in 3

Feliciano Lopez vs Roger Federer

There could be a lot of aces in this quarter-final, as both Feliciano Lopez and Roger Federer are good servers. Lopez has been in pretty poor form recently, but saw off 9th seed Milos Raonic and Andreas Seppi in straight sets before edging past 8th seed Rafa Nadal in a final set tie break. Federer has been in imperious form so far, easing past Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round before demolishing 15th seed Kevin Anderson for the loss of just two games. Considering the form Lopez has been in it seems unlikely he’ll beat Federer, and with the world No. 2 already having faced a big server he should be ready for the Spaniard.

Prediction: Federer in 2