Bernard Tomic is in hot form and will fancy his chances of progressing through to the semi-finals of the Sydney International when in faces reigning champion Jarkko Nieminen tonight. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEDT.
Tomic produced a first yesterday when he managed to defeat German Florian Mayer for the lone time in four attempts.
The Australian prodigy was superb against Mayer, dictating the majority of rallies with his strong groundstrokes, particularly off the forehand side.
In the end, the German had little answer to Tomic’s power as the Australian recorded a strong 7-6, 6-2 victory over the 2012 Wimbledon quarter-finalist.
Up next for Tomic is Nieminen who once again has gone through the draw at the Apia International without attracting attention.
Nieminen is actually on a 10 match winning streak in Sydney, winning 8 matches en route to last year’s title and winning two matches this week en route to a quarter-final showdown with Tomic.
Like Tomic, Nieminen is yet to drop a set at the Australian Open lead-up this week, but he will need to be at his best if he is to stop Tomic tonight.
Prediction
Given the way Tomic is playing, it wouldn’t surprise to see the Australian record another straight sets victory tonight against the 31 year old Finnish player.
Tomic has been playing aggressive tennis in Sydney and should have Nieminen covered if he is able to replicate his clinical performance against Mayer yesterday.
While Nieminen should keep Tomic honest with his good movement and anticipation around the court, Tomic on form should possess too much class for his opponent tonight.
Tomic in straight sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Thanks for your company tonight and we look forward to your company tomorrow when Tomic takes on the winner of match between Granollers and Seppi. See you then. Tomic 6 6 6 Nieminen 7 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET MATCH TOMIC - Nieminen hands the match to Tomic with one of the worst double faults who'll see in a while. Tomic though showed a lot of grit and determination to take out Nieminen who won the opening set in a tiebreaker. Tomic though hung on, won the second set and then dictated proceedings from there on in. Tomic progresses to the semi-final and is playing well and most importantly winning matches ahead of the Aus Open. Tomic 6 6 6 Nieminen 7 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Match point for Tomic now as Nieminen sends his forehand wide. Tomic 6 6 5 Nieminen 7 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Crushing forehand after forehand from Tomic and its 15-30 as the Australian begins to find his range with his groundstrokes now. Tomic 6 6 5 Nieminen 7 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Nieminen with an ace and its 15 all Tomic 6 6 5 Nieminen 7 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME TOMIC - Great serving from Tomic out wide and its 40-15 to the Australian. Tomic holds well and he leads 5-2 second set after another good serve down the tee. Tomic 6 6 5 Nieminen 7 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic follows up with another ace and its 30-0. Good serving but he follows up with a forehand that goes long. 30-15 Tomic 6 6 4 Nieminen 7 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic with an ace and its 15-0 Tomic 6 6 4 Nieminen 7 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Game point for Nieminen now who is just holding on in the third set after playing so well to win the opening set. Tomic to his credit has fought back well and is now starting to dictate play. Nieminen holds with a strong first serve. Tomic 6 6 4 Nieminen 7 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Great serve, forehand and volley by Nieminen and its 30 all. Tomic 6 6 4 Nieminen 7 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
0-30 Tomic now and Nieminen just starting to make some unforced errors at the worst possible moment. Tomic 6 6 4 Nieminen 7 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME TOMIC - 40-15 Tomic now as Nieminen goes just wide with the forehand return. Tomic then gets lucky with the forehand slice and he holds well to lead 4-1 third set. Tomic 6 6 4 Nieminen 7 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic with a good serve and volley and its 15-0 here. Tomic with the momentum now Tomic 6 6 3 Nieminen 7 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Nieminen serves an ace and saves one break point. Nieminen then nets the forehand and Tomic breaks and is in control in the third set. Good fight from the Australian. Tomic 6 6 3 Nieminen 7 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Long rally ends with a long forehand from Nieminen and its 15-30. Nieminen then misses the line with the volley and its two break points for the Australian Tomic 6 6 2 Nieminen 7 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic with a superb backhand crosscourt winner and its 15 all Tomic 6 6 2 Nieminen 7 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Great forehand in-behind Tomic from Nieminen and its 15-0 Tomic 6 6 2 Nieminen 7 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic with a strong serve, forehand and volley to finish the point off and he holds to love and leads 2-1 third set. Tomic 6 6 2 Nieminen 7 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Great forehand pickup from Tomic when Nieminen was rushing up to the net. 30-0 Tomic 6 6 1 Nieminen 7 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic with a good wide serve and its 15-0 Tomic 6 6 1 Nieminen 7 4 1