The 2015 Australian Open men’s singles draw was kind to the Australians, yet has thrown up some blockbuster match-ups in the opening rounds, and potential epics over the course of this great event.
In this article I will look at the men’s draw section by section to sort out who I think can go deep, and ultimately who I think will win the Australian Open.
Section 1
Novak Djokovic really has no genuine threats in his section, and should make the quarter-finals. Other than that, it is really an open battle to decide who he will face in the fourth round. The bottom line is that Djokovic should make the quarter-finals comfortably.
My predicted Round 4 match-up: (1) Novak Djokovic versus (13) Roberto Bautista Agut
Section 2
Milos Raonic is the big seed, and should make the fourth round here, and probably the quarter-finals. Lleyton Hewitt is in this section of the draw, with a potential third round meeting with Raonic. The big first round match-up in this section is Juan Martin Del Potro and Jerzy Janowicz. Deciding who will meet Raonic in the fourth round is a tough one, with players coming back from injury, and players who have unpredictable mindsets clouding the picture somewhat.
My predicted Round 4 match-up: Adrian Mannarino versus (8) Milos Raonic
Section 3
Stan Wawrinka should have no real worries in making the fourth round with his draw, and he should meet Fabio Fognini at this stage of the championship, especially considering that Alexandr Dolgopolov is in serious doubt for the event with a knee injury.
My predicted Round 4 match-up: (4) Stan Wawrinka versus (16) Fabio Fognini
Section 4
If Kei Nishikori can beat Nicolas Almagro in the first round, he should make the fourth round. David Ferrer should meet him there in what would be an epic encounter.
My predicted Round 4 match-up: (9) David Ferrer versus (5) Kei Nishikori
Section 5
This section has four Australian men, including Bernard Tomic and Thanasi Kokkinakis. The top seed in this section is Tomas Berdych, and although he has a couple of interesting match-ups, he should make the fourth round.
The other top seed in this section is Ernests Gulbis, and he has a terrible record at Melbourne Park, only reaching the second round twice out of six main draw appearances. So I think someone else will face Berdych in the fourth round, and I think it will be a player from Australia.
My predicted Round 4 match-up: (7) Tomas Berdych versus Bernard Tomic
Section 6
Rafael Nadal is the main man in this section of the draw, and despite concerns over his fitness, I can’t see him not making the fourth round. Richard Gasquet will likely be his opponent, although there are potential stumbling blocks for him, in particular Kevin Anderson.
Still, I think Gasquet will make the fourth round at Melbourne Park, while the two Australian men in this section will struggle to make an major impact here.
My predicted Round 4 match-up: (24) Richard Gasquet versus (3) Rafael Nadal
Section 7
Andy Murray and Grigor Dimitrov should be good enough to make it to the fourth round to meet each other, despite some potential stumbling blocks. Like the section previous, the two Australian men here are unlikely to make a major impact.
My predicted Round 4 match-up: (6) Andy Murray versus (10) Grigor Dimitrov
Section 8
Roger Federer should make the fourth round, and probably the quarter-finals as well. Who will meet Federer is an interesting question, however, with Nick Kyrgios, Tommy Robredo, Mikhail Kukushkin and Ivo Karlovic seemingly the most likely candidates. Fitness and durability will play a large role in deciding who will play Federer.
My predicted Round 4 match-up: Mikhail Kukushkin versus (2) Roger Federer
My predicted quarter-final match-ups
(1) Novak Djokovic versus (8) Milos Raonic
(4) Stan Wawrinka versus (9) David Ferrer
Bernard Tomic versus (3) Rafael Nadal
(6) Andy Murray versus (2) Roger Federer
My predicted semi-Final match-ups
(8) Milos Raonic versus (9) David Ferrer
(3) Rafael Nadal versus (6) Andy Murray
My predicted final match-up
(8) Milos Raonic versus (6) Andy Murray
My predicted 2015 Australian Open champion
(8) Milos Raonic
Nadine
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MILOS RAONIC HAHAHAHAHA
Bill Claughtom
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I don't reckon that Nadal's going to make it past the quarters this year, not with Berdych playing decently and the Spaniard's losses to Murray and then Berrer in Abu Dabi and Doha, I think the Raonic prediction's interesting and I can see it, what with Djokovic's latest form (not that a loss to Karlovic's dishonourable given how most of his sets go to tie breaks), the last time the Djoker lost in the early rounds of a tournament were the two American masters before USO, and he was felled by Nishikori, but I think that he's hungry for a result here after last year's shock to Wawrinka. Sadly I can't see any true upset power for the Defending Champ (not the greatest Wawrinka fan, had a great run from 2013 WTFs till Monte-Carlo then disappeared). But I see him getting defeated by Nishikori in the quarters (unless the latter gets upset by a seemingly resurgent Ferrer). I don't think, however, that Nishikori will beat the winner of Djokovic/Raonic, Raonic seems in very good form, and if Novak's in his stride then he'll be able to beat anyone. I'm irritated that Berdych and Rafa, the two weakest members of the Top 8 IMO, are in the same quarter, especially given how it has the appearance of a "mucked up" seedings, possibly for a "blockbuster" Federer/Murray Quarterfinal? Nonetheless, any theories are nothing more and there's no point of such accusations, it's just a shame as Murray would deserve an easy route to the semis more than the Czech, especially with Dimitrov in the mix as well in their quarter. Nonetheless I see possibly falling to Rosol in Round 3 or Anderson/Gasquet in Round 4, but most likely Berdych will beat him in the quarters. Murray and Federer are two of my favourite tennis players (yes, probably with the former because he's a Brit, but shush you :p ) and it pains me to see them in the same quarter. As much as I'd like to see Murray win, with Federer in his current form I wouldn't be surprised at another Quarterfinal loss for the Scot. In the semis I expect the winners of Djokovic's and Federer's quarters to reach the finals, at which point, who knows? I'd love Murray to win, but, if Djokovic has regained momentum, I suspect a victory for him in Melbourne.
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Roar Guru
Some pretty good predictions there as far as the Round of 16 is concerned. Tomic has a very easy draw as opposed to last year, and I can't see him not doing well at Melbourne Park. Same for Kyrgios, I can see him making the third round at the very least, while the lure of potentially playing Roger Federer in Round 4 will drive him to victory over Tommy Robredo. All in all, a very good draw for the Aussies. Federer has been in impressive form and I can see him reaching the semis, where despite his injury concerns I still think Rafa will be too good for him. My gut feeling is that it will be a Djokovic vs Nadal final (again), but god only knows what will happen.