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Bernard Tomic vs Alexandr Dolgopolov: Austrailan Open live scores, blog

Roar Guru
20th January, 2012
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Rod Laver Arena plays host to Bernard Tomic vs Alexandr Dolgopolov for a place in the fourth round of the Australian Open. Join us for live scores and blog from 7:00pm AEST.

Tomic enters the third round of the Australian Open on the back of morale boosting victories against big names Fernando Verdasco and Sam Querrey.

The 19 year old is playing some intelligent tennis at the moment, and is getting the better of his opponents both physically and mentally.

Dolgopolov however has struggled thus far in the first two rounds, winning both of his matches in five sets against unheralded players, Australian Greg Jones and Tobias Kamke.

Like Tomic, the Ukrainian no. 13 seed has started his two matches at the Australian Open very slowly, losing the first set on both occasions.

Both players however have demonstrated some solid resolve thus far in the tournament, with Tomic in particular showing terrific belief and determination against Verdasco in the first round, coming from two sets down to beat the Spaniard.

As has been the case in both of his matches thus far, Tomic will look to produce a variety of slices and drop shots to unsettle the flamboyant Dolgopolov.

The Ukranian on the other hand will look to impose himself from the baseline with some heavy hitting, particularly off the forehand side, where Dolgopolov did so much damage in his run to the Australian Open quarter-finals last year.

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Prediction: In terms of power, Dolgopolov certainly possesses the bigger forehand and serve at this stage, and if the no.13 seed finds his range early on, then Tomic could be in for a torrid time on centre court.

Dolgopolov will also take confidence from the fact that he has already beaten Tomic on three previous occasions without loss, with his last win coming last year at the Shanghai Masters.

Tomic however seems to be getter better with each passing match, and already possesses a game that is unsettling some of the most established players on the ATP tour.

Against Dolgopolov, Tomic once again confronts a player that can lose confidence fairly quickly if things fail to go his way early on.

If Tomic is given the chance to dictate the tempo of the match, expect the Australian to prevail in another tight four setter.

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