#AusOpen: 3 must-watch matches Thursday

#AusOpen: 3 must-watch matches Thursday

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 5:04 pm


Novak Djokovic:  a date with Roger

Novak Djokovic: a date with Roger

Serena Williams versus Agnieszka Radwanska; Angelique Kerber versus Johanna Konta and  Novak Djokovic versus Roger Federer: mouth watering  semi-final matches all, they all await tennis fans in Australia  on Thursday as the first grand slam of the year winds to a close.

Reigning champion Novak Djokovic and number three seed Roger Federer will square off in a modern tennis classic when they take to centre court in the first men’s semi-final at the Australian Open on Thursday. The match will begin at 9.30 pm Nigerian time.

At stake is a shot at history. Both are bidding to equal Australian Roy Emerson’s record of six titles, set in the pre-Open era, and their head-to-head count is tied at 22 wins apiece.

King Federer: Can he overcome Djokovic?

King Federer: Can he overcome Djokovic?

Federer, who has not won a grand slam title since 2012 and lost five of his eight matches against Djokovic last year, is in arguably the better form, dropping just one set in five matches en route to his mouth-watering clash with the Serb.

Undisputed world number one Djokovic has dropped a set more than the Swiss but has never lost in the semi-finals of the tournament.

Djokovic came back strongly after making 100 unforced errors against Frenchman Gilles Simon in the fourth round to down number seven seed Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the quarter-finals.

The 44 matches between Djokovic and Federer is the second highest tally in the Open era, beaten only by the 47 between Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, and the Serb credits his two biggest rivals for his dominance of recent years.

“These two guys made me the player I am today. I think these rivalries have allowed me to grow …and understand what it takes to be on the level that they are on,” he said.

“Roger always makes you play your best. My best is what is going to be necessary to win against him.”

Serena Williams: beats Sharapova again

Serena Williams: Respects Radwanska

Women’s champion Serena Williams, bidding for her 22nd grand slam title, will have to overcome number four seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the first singles semi-final at the Rod Laver Arena, which starts at 3.30 am Nigerian time.

The number one seed has buried fears about her form and fitness beneath a run of dominating performances. She has not lost a set so far and barely broke a sweat while vanquishing number five seed Maria Sharapova in the quarter-finals.

Poland’s Radwanska beat Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-3.

Williams is a fan of Radwanska, but their friendship will take a back seat for a few hours on Thursday.

“I know Aga really well. Whoever wins, we both deserve to be in the final. If she wins, I’ll be very happy for her. I’m sure she’ll feel the same way,” Williams said.

Johanna Konta: to battle Angelique Kerber

Johanna Konta: to battle Angelique Kerber

After Serena-Radwanska clash will come the fixture between Angelique Kerber from Germany and 24 year old Johanna Konta from Britain.

Angelique Kerber: Can she stop the fairy tale of Konta?

Angelique Kerber: Can she stop the fairy tale of Konta?

Kerber, aged 28,  seeded 7th in the tournament upset Victoria Azarenka, former world number one, who was seeded 14th  in the quarter finals match played today. Konta, originally born in Australia  was not seeded in the tournament like the Chinese qualifier that she beat, Zhang Shuai. But the 47th ranked player in the world has been playing unbelievable tennis the past 11 days. She started the tournament beating Venus Williams in the first round 6-4 6-2.

It is expected that this match, like Serena-Radwanska duel will also be a riveting affair.

On Friday, Andy Murray will have a tough task at hand, overcoming Canada’s Milos Raonic, in the second semi-final for men.

 

 


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