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Roger Federer vs James Duckworth Preview – ATP Brisbane 2015 QF

Posted: Jan 08, 2015

17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer was given a surprisingly stiff challenge in his first professional match-up of 2015, but managed to claw his way out of danger to set up a quarter-final clash with another Australian in James Duckworth. This is the second time that the two competitors cross paths on the tour, with Federer leading the series 1-0 with a victory t last year’s Australian Open.

Watch the match live here: Federer v Duckworth

In less than an hour of professional competition in the New Year, Roger Federer found himself down a set and a break to a player ranked outside the Top 150 in the ATP World Tour. After saving three set points in the opening frame, Federer quickly found himself down 6-4, 3-1 and facing an unrelenting opponent. He eventually fought back to defeat John Millman 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

“I thought I got quite lucky,” said Federer on-court. “He was playing great tennis until maybe the last couple of games. I had to fight very hard. Credit to him for pushing me to the edge.

“I didn’t play badly, but maybe felt a bit tired at times. The first match of the season you never know quite what to expect. I am sweating like crazy. I am happy we had a good match and I got through in the end.”

Federer is now just four matches away from reaching 1,000 victories on the professional tour. Only Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl hold that honour. His next contest is against James Duckworth, who saved two match points against Jarkko Nieminen to win 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 in two hours and three minutes.

“I just wanted to really to focus on holding my serve and then putting pressure on his serve, looking to be aggressive and try and dictate. I think I did that quite well in the game that I broke at 1-0 in the third.”

This marks just the second time that these two competitors will cross paths on the professional tour, with Federer leading the series 1-0. Their last meeting took place at the Australian Open, which Federer won in straight sets. Given his ability to work his way out of danger on Thursday, the Swiss star is unlikely to face more more difficulty against Duckworth.

Prediction: Roger Federer in Straight Sets

Ivo Karlovic Upsets Top Seed Novak Djokovic in Doha

Posted: Jan 08, 2015

Karlovic Ivo Karlovic Upsets Top Seed Novak Djokovic in Doha

In keeping up with the wacky week one results, top seed Novak Djokovic was downed by Ivo Karlovic in the quarter-final round of the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open, thus ending his win streak from last September.

In their first meeting in over seven years, the towering Croatian rallied from a set down to defeat Djokovic 6-7(2), 7-6(6), 6-4 in the Serb’s third match at the tournament. Karlovic hit 21 aces and 49 winners to reach the semi-final stage of the tournament.

“It was unbelievable,” said Karlovic in his on-court interview following the match. “When I arrived here, I didn’t expect that one. He wasn’t able to show his full range because it was windy. I just focused on my game and in the end I was a little luckier.”

Karlovic appeared to only get stronger as the match went on, as he struck 20 winners in the second set and eventually pressured Djokovic enough to snatch a late break and close the match out in 2 hours and 16 minutes.

This is Karlovic’s second ever win over a No. 1 player, as he defeated Roger Federer at the 2008 Western and Southern Open and has now managed a second win seven years later. He will next face David Ferrer, who dispatched Dustin Brown in straight sets to reach the semi-final round of the tournament.

“I think the (windy) conditions favoured me,” said Ferrer. “Dustin has a very good serve and with the wind it was more difficult for him than me. Fortunately I could win playing solid, because I cannot do too much with the wind.”

Maria Sharapova vs Elina Svitolina Preview – WTA Brisbane 2015 SF

Posted: Jan 08, 2015

After breezing past her Spanish opponent on Thursday afternoon, Maria Sharapova finds herself two wins away from a first title of the season in 2015 at the Brisbane International. Her next challenger is world No. 28 Elina Svitolina, whom she has only encountered once before on the professional tour. Sharapova leads the head to head series 1-0.

Although this particular competitor has challenged her in the past, Sharapova had no trouble with Carla Suarez Navarro on Thursday, as she was able to breeze past the Spaniard 6-1, 6-3 to reach the semi-final stage of the event. The Sochi star only needed 68 minutes to close out their quickest encounter yet.

“We went back and forth with our victories in 2014 so I’m always a little bit aware of girls that I lose to,” Sharapova said after the match. “I certainly know that she’s capable of playing really well, though. She plays defense great and makes you hit a lot of balls. Especially on a slower court like here, you just don’t want to give her that much time to play her game. I thought I did a good job of that today.

“Maybe I made a little too many unforced errors in the beginning, but I finished strong.”

Sharapova’s next match-up is against one of the WTA tour’s rising stars Elina Svitolina, who rallied from a set down to upset third seed Angelique Kerber 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. This was the second time that the Ukrainian prospect managed to score an upset over her German foe.

“She’s a young girl that’s already in the Top 30 with a tremendous amount of potential, and someone you’ll be seeing in the top very soon,” Sharapova said. “She definitely has a good game. She’s an all-around player. It’ll be a tough match-up for me, but one that I’m looking forward to, actually.”

This marks just the second time that these two competitors cross paths on the professional tour, with Sharapova leading the series 1-0. The Russian’s victory took place last year in Beijing, where she defeated the Top 30 player 6-2, 6-2. While this could be a slightly more competitive match, it will likely still end in straight sets fr the top seed.

Prediction: Maria Sharapova in Straight Sets

Simona Halep vs Zheng Saisai Preview – WTA Shenzhen 2015 SF

Posted: Jan 08, 2015

Halep WTA Tour Simona Halep vs Zheng Saisai Preview WTA Shenzhen 2015 SF

Simona Halep is through to the semi-final round of the Shenzhen Open, where she will contest a Friday match-up against the only Chinese player remaining in the draw, Zheng Saisai. This will serve as the first meeting between the two competitors and will likely follow the trajectory of Halep’s earlier matches at this event.

The Romanian needed three sets to win her first match but has since had no trouble finding her form again. Against Aleksandra Krunic, Halep needed just over an hour to prevail 6-3, 6-3. She won 69% of her first service points and saved three break points to secure her spot in the final four.

“The match was good – I played better than the last few rounds – and I’m looking forward to playing the semifinals,” Halep said. “My game is getting better day by day. I want to improve match by match and see how far I can go here.”

Halep will next meet Zheng Saisai, who picked up an impressive upset win over fourth seed Zarina Diyas. Zheng rallied from a set down to win the match 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 in 2 hours and 39 minutes. It was a close call for the Chinese player, as she was within a few points away from defeat. However, she showed mental fortitude and eventually found her openings in the third and final set, where she won 13/18 first service points and 6/8 second service points to win the match.

This marks the first time that Halep and Zheng will cross paths on the professional tour, and appears to be a match-up tailor-made for the Romanian. While Zheng is a scrappy player, Halep is far more well-rounded and has a bigger game. Barring any shenanigans, the top seed should win the contest in straight sets and advance to the final in Shenzhen.

Prediction: Simona Halep in Straight Sets

Venus Williams vs Lauren Davis Preview – WTA Auckland 2015 SF

Posted: Jan 08, 2015

Venus Williams French Open Venus Williams vs Lauren Davis Preview WTA Auckland 2015 SF

A generational battle between two fellow Americans is scheduled to take place in the semi-final round of the ASB Classic in Auckland, as former world No. 1 Venus Williams is scheduled to face youngster Lauren Davis for a spot in the tournament final. This is the first time that these two competitors cross paths on the professional tour.

19th-ranked Venus Williams reached the semi-final round with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over her rival Elena Vesnina – a win that leveled the head-to-head score at 2-2. There was a moment of weakness for the American, as she rallied from a break down in the second set to win the next four games and the match.

“Things seemed to be going on serve, but then she had a big game for a break and another big game for a hold, and things were getting really interesting,” Williams said of the second set. “She was really picking up her level. But after that, I don’t know, the games came and then it was over.

“That’s what you have to expect every time. Nobody’s going to give it to you.”

In the final match of the day, Lauren Davis defeated Polish qualifier Urszula Radwanska 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 to set up the semi-final clash with Williams. She won 70% of her first service points and saved 8 of 12 break points to close out the match in 1 hour and 59 minutes.

This is the first time that Williams and Davis will meet on the professional tour and could prove to be a more competitive encounter that most would predict. Davis has already upset Sloane Stephens this week and will be looking for another confidence booster en route to the final.

Prediction: Venus Williams in Three Sets

Milos Raonic vs Sam Groth Preview – ATP Brisbane 2015 QF

Posted: Jan 08, 2015

Canadian No. 1 Milos Raonic successfully commenced his 2015 season on the ATP World Tour with a straightforward victory to arrive at the quarter-final stage of the Brisbane International. He will next face Sam Groth, whom he has encountered one previously on the professional circuit. Raonic leads the head-to-head series 1-0.

The world No. 8 had a relatively routine encounter against Mikhail Kulushkin on Thursday afternoon, as he dispatched the world no. 69 6-3, 6-4. The contest lasted exactly 60 minutes and saw Raonic hit 17 aces and win 90% of his first service points. He also won 71% of his second serve points and did not face a single break point throughout the entire encounter.

“I served well… We finished last year and we definitely thought I could do a lot better with my serve, so we spent a lot of time this off season and I’m happy that it’s going well,” he said. “I’ve put a lot of work in technically so I feel better as tennis player. I feel much stronger and fitter. I also spent a lot of time discussing and consulting with my team about the mental side, what I need to do to make the next step forward, especially in the big events. So I’m trying to incorporate that and see where it takes me.”

His opponent, Sam Groth, began his week with an upset of Lleyton Hewitt and has since managed to work his way to the quarter-final round of the event. Against Lukasz Kubot, he struck 21 aces, won 78% of his first service points and saved both break points faced on serve to close out the match in two hours and 29 minutes.

This marks just the second time these two competitors will meet on the ATP World Tour, with Raonic leading the series 1-0. That contest took place in the 2013 DC Open in Washington, which the Canadian won 7-5, 6-4. Given that both these players are big hitters, this could make for an intriguing affair.

Prediction: Milos Raonic in Straight Sets