Yeah, it's getting annoying :lol
So anyway, what are you guys predictions for your favourite players Aussie Open?
Mine...
Tsonga: Jo didn't have the best of years last year, failing to show the form which got him to the final here 5 years a go. But under new coach Roger Rasheed, Tsonga may come back to show some good form this season. From watching Jo in the Hopman cup, he seems to have made some improvements on his BH and ROS, but this is his first real test of the season, so we'll have to see how much he's improved them in proper competition. His 1st round match against Olympics double partner Llodra is a fascinating one and could be a very exciting contest. But it's a match i expect Jo to win. From then on, i don't really expect Tsonga to have any problems leading up to the Quarter Finals where he'll face Federer. This is another match which could potentially be great, and one that Tsonga can win if he's playing well and Roger isn't playing great. However, with Jo nothing is certain, so i predict Federer to beat him in 4 or 5 sets.
Therefore i think Jo will finish as a Quarter Finalist, which is a step up from last year.
Del Potro:Del Po heads into this tournament off a good end to 2012, which saw him beat Federer back to back indoors and push Djokovic in the semis finals of the Tour Finals. Del Po is getting back to the form which saw him win the 2009 US Open. I don't think Juan will have any problems reaching the Quarter Finals here as his draw looks pretty good up until that point. His only potential test i see before then is Cilic, but i don't expect Juan to have too many problems in dispatching him. My only concern is his fitness and how he'll endure the heat. The Aussie open isn't his best Grand Slam, so i'm not really expecting him to win it. But the potential Quarter Final against Murray certainly looks interesting. I think it will be close and go 5 sets, but unfortunately for me, i see Murray outlasting him in the Quarter Finals. I could see Juan beating him if he plays well and his fitness holds up. Murray hasn't looked particularly great since winning the US Open.
So i think Juan will make the Quarter Finals, but thats a good result imo.
Nishikori: I like Kei's draw here. He's drawn Ferrer in his Quarter, and he's already proven he can beat David, so i like his chances of reaching the 2nd week. Until the 4th round, i don't really expect Kei to have too many problems, so i see him reaching the 4th round at least here. The only problem is Kei's injury issues, so hopefully he stays healthy throughout, especially in the first week. In the 4th round, he'll likely face Ferrer, and thats a match that Kei has a good chance of winning. He's got a winning record against Ferrer, so might fancy another shot at the Quarter Finals. Ferrer will be the favourite, but i can see Nishikori springing a suprise here like last year against Tsonga. My prediction for Kei depends on 2 things. 1. His health & fitness. 2. How optimistic i am about his chances. Also, if he gets past Ferrer, he's got a decent shot at the Semi Finals too with the highest ranked play possibly awaiting him being Tipsarevic.
So, i predict 4th round or another QF for Kei in this tournament.
Shvedova: Slava has been poor recently, so therefore my expectations of her are not very high. First round against Beck may be a tough match for Slava, but one i see Slava winning. Shvedova hasn't had problems in first rounds, so i expect her to win in 2 tight sets. The 2nd round is potentially easier than the first imo. Now Slava has had problems stringing together consectutive since Wimbledon, but i think she'll actually win her 2nd round match this time, no matter who she plays. Slava always seems to bring her best to Grand Slams, so i think she'll play better here than recently. Now the 3rd round will most likely be against Serena. These 2 had a great and close match at Wimbledon with Serena coming through in the end. But then, Serena wasn't playing great and Slava was in the form of her life, having just won a Golden set against Errani in the previous round. Slava is struggling for form, whilst Serena has been on a path of destruction since crashing out early at Roland Garros. I think Serena will win in 2 routine sets, without Slava really troubling her.
So, i think Slava will lose in the 3rd round, but i'm happy with that finish given her form.