ROGER FEDERER V RAFAEL NADAL- BETASPORT MARKET HERE
Two of the greatest half a dozen players of all time will lock horns for the 10th time in a grand slam this week, but only for the second time in a semi final.
Roger Federer is chasing his first slam since he won this event in 2010, whilst Rafael Nadal is looking for his second Australian Open title after toppling Federer in the epic finale of 2009.
Both enter this semi final in ominous form. Federer could scarcely have been more polished this week, with his last two wins over Bernard Tomic and Juan Martin Del Potro some of the most complete tennis you could ever wish to see.
His use of angles and his timing has been wonderful and we must remember that despite not winning a slam in 2011, he was probably the second best player of the year behind Djokovic given the way he performed against him in big matches.
Nadal’s power and defense has slowly improved as the tournament has gone on, and despite being perilously close to a 2 set deficit against Thomas Berdych, the Spaniard showed his class by powering away with the match from that point on.
This time around it will be no less interesting than any of their previous battles, but I get the feeling that if Federer can consistently return the ball deep in the court, and force Nadal back, he should be able to edge him here.
It has epic all over it, but Federer for mine wins this and then the tournament on Sunday.
Scott Ferguson’s Preview HERE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC V ANDY MURRAY – BETASPORT MARKET HERE
Once again Andy Murray finds himself in the last four of a grand slam. Once again he finds himself taking on one of the big three, and once again pressure from back home will be immense.
On the other side of the net will be a man who will be supremely confident he can beat anyone, anytime after the heroics of 2011.
As we have heard time and time again, no British male tennis player has won a slam since 1936 and if Murray is to break the run he will have to beat Djokovic then Federer, or alternatively Djokovic then Nadal, so it’s fair to say he will have to earn it.
Murray as has been the case in each of the last two years finds himself in outstanding form at the Australian Open having not dropped a set since his very first set of the tournament.
Former Champion Ivan Lendl will be a big help to Murray, not just with his on court game but also mentally.
Lendl was regarded in all circles for his amazing mental toughness and if he can instill some belief in Murray that he can do this then it will certainly go a long way because there is absolutely no doubt he is good enough to win a slam.
Novak Djokovic looked to be laboring a little bit physically in his quarter final clash with David Ferrer but still got through in straight sets and has lost just 6 matches since late 2010.
I get the feeling if Murray is to beat Novak, then it’s more likely to be in a semi final, and with a slight cloud over his opponents head, it’s a tempting prospect.
But it’s not one you can tip confidently until you see it and Novak Djokovic simply has the runs on the board and his form is unquestionable.
Let’s hope for a tight match and an upset is possible. But it’s a Djokovic v Federer final for mine.
Scott Ferguson’s Preview HERE
PETRA KVITOVA V MARIA SHARAPOVA- BETSAPORT MARKET HERE
The first of our women’s semi finals brings us a replay of last year’s Wimbledon final in which Petra Kvitova won her first career slam after toppling the rejuvenated Maria Sharapova.
Kvitova has been my tip for the women’s draw all along but Sharapova has been the tournament’s form player so it makes for a fascinating duel.
The winner of this one probably win’s the tournament in my opinion.
Kvitova overpowered the impressive Errani in two tight sets in her quarter final and it was a pleasing win given she didn’t produce her very best tennis.
Sharapova had a fairly comfortable win over the much improved Makarova in a game I expected to be a lot closer.
She has been striking the ball beautifully and her mix of power and court smarts is as good as it has been since her major shoulder operation a few years back.
I sincerely hope Maria can win another slam before her career is over and she certainly should given how well she is playing but I think Kvitova just gets her here.
I rate her mental resilience as the best in the business and she simply finds a way to win the points she needs to.
In form she is in my view the best player in the world and will win her second grand slam title on Saturday night.
Scott Ferguson’s Preview HERE
VICTORIA AZARENKA V KIM CLIJSTERS- BETASPORT MARKET HERE
On the men’s side of the draw we have the top four ranked players in the world squaring off whilst on the women’s side we have players 2, 3 and 4 plus the reigning champion. It doesn’t get much better than that and as tipping winners go it doesn’t get much tougher than a semi final clash between Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka.
Azarenka has been a consistent top ten player and a regular member of the last eight at slams but has never played in a final during her career.
Here she faces a huge opportunity to change all that, but standing in her way is a woman not to keen on letting her final Australian Open campaign fade away.
Clijsters defied a crook ankle to take a super impressive straight sets win over the world number one Caroline Wozniacki and she has won all four of her grand slam titles on the hard courts of the US and Australia.
Azarenka battled some early hiccups in her quarter final to progress in three but her last two sets in that match were very sharp.
If she brings that to the table I think she should outlast Clijsters whose preparation simply hasn’t been as good as her opponents as a result of injury and I think that will still play a major factor.
Azarenka to win through and play Kvitova in the final for mine.
Scott Ferguson’s Preview HERE
Tips: Federer (5 sets), Djokovic (4 sets), Kvitova (3 sets), Azarenka (3 sets)
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