606v2 World Tour 2012 - AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Last week the ATP World Tour 2012 kicked off and with the first 3 tournaments winners being Tsonga, Murray and Raonic this promises to be a very exciting year indeed! Three guys that are seen to be capable of challenging the top 3 had the perfect start.
Time to kick off also the 606v2 World Tour 2012 now as the Australian Open is just around the corner!

To participate, you just need to post your predicitions on which players will reach the QF, SF and the final, and who will be the winner.
E.g. in the following format:

Losing in QF: Nadal, Dolgopolov, Berdych, Wawrinka
Losing in SF: Ferrer, Federer
Runner-up: Murray; Winner: Djokovic

So a short post will suffice, but you are allowed to elaborate and give us your rationale as well! I recommend to post your predictions after you've seen the draw (it will be published on Friday!). Because play only gets under way on Monday, the deadline will be next Sunday at 21:00 GMT.

The moderators have kindly promised to "lock" this thread after the deadline, so that predictions cannot be "edited" after the deadline

Game on!

I like your predictions and the auto-suggestion that you have already planted in my head.

hi laverfan could you kindly make a sticky out of this thread too? After the AO has finished, we can let it "drift away".

Just to be clear: the above example is NOT my personal prediction (far from it!), but just the actual result of the AO 2011.
I will post my predictions a bit closer to the deadline

prostaff85 wrote:hi laverfan could you kindly make a sticky out of this thread too? After the AO has finished, we can let it "drift away".

Just to be clear: the above example is NOT my personal prediction (far from it!), but just the actual result of the AO 2011.
I will post my predictions a bit closer to the deadline

Pretty important to know a bit about Fed's state of fitness before going to press I'd say, and it's quite possible that we'll only know about that after the deadline. Unless his prospects of getting fit are 24 carat hopeless he's not going to pull out until the very last minute before his first match which may be next Tuesday. It will be interesting to see how he plays it in any presser, but past conduct indicates he's unlikely to give too much away. If he plays he tends to say he's 100% beforehand.

Wonder who will bet against the top four making the semis again ? The AO sometimes throws up a "funny" finalist or semi finalist but assuming our big four are fit, I doubt it'll happen this year.

I think we may see even 2 of the big 4 fall before the Semi's. There are so many potential 'banana' skins before the Quarters which leads me to believe even more so an upset could occur. The emergence of Tomic and Raonic with some form coming into this. Dolgopolov and Del Potro will be dangerous and ones to avoid early on in the draw. Imagine having to come through Tomic, Del Potro, Berdych all before a semi?? Very tall order.

legendkillar wrote:I think we may see even 2 of the big 4 fall before the Semi's. There are so many potential 'banana' skins before the Quarters which leads me to believe even more so an upset could occur. The emergence of Tomic and Raonic with some form coming into this. Dolgopolov and Del Potro will be dangerous and ones to avoid early on in the draw. Imagine having to come through Tomic, Del Potro, Berdych all before a semi?? Very tall order.

Unfortunately Del Potro has been beaten by Baghdatis in Sydney - not sure he is back to his best yet. Didn't see the match so it could just be that Baggy played fantastically - anyone any ideas?

carrieg4 wrote:

legendkillar wrote:I think we may see even 2 of the big 4 fall before the Semi's. There are so many potential 'banana' skins before the Quarters which leads me to believe even more so an upset could occur. The emergence of Tomic and Raonic with some form coming into this. Dolgopolov and Del Potro will be dangerous and ones to avoid early on in the draw. Imagine having to come through Tomic, Del Potro, Berdych all before a semi?? Very tall order.

Unfortunately Del Potro has been beaten by Baghdatis in Sydney - not sure he is back to his best yet. Didn't see the match so it could just be that Baggy played fantastically - anyone any ideas?

That result aside I would still not fancy meeting a Del Potro or Dogopolov early in the draw.

One question would also be: do these top guys want to play a lot of matches just before the AO starts? I guess Del Potro is not too worried about losing early in Sydney, as long as he is well prepared for the AO.
Then again, if he could have beaten Baghdatis with ease, he would have done so.

BTW the top 4 cannot meet Del Potro before the QF, but Dolgopolov could be there already in the 4th round.

prostaff85 wrote:One question would also be: do these top guys want to play a lot of matches just before the AO starts? I guess Del Potro is not too worried about losing early in Sydney, as long as he is well prepared for the AO.
Then again, if he could have beaten Baghdatis with ease, he would have done so.

BTW the top 4 cannot meet Del Potro before the QF, but Dolgopolov could be there already in the 4th round.

It really depends how Dolgo's leg is as well...........lot of injuries early on this season.

Losing in QF- Tipsarevic, Murray, Del Potro, Berdych
Losing in SF-Tsonga, Nadal
Runner up-Federer
Winner-Djokovic

At last I accessed the draw!! This is a toughie for sure.

Losing in QF - Gasquet, Tsonga, Federer, Nadal

I was ermmming and ahhhhing over Del Potro. I think he meet Mayer and their H2H is 2-2 and Delpo has beaten twice in consecutive years at Melbourne and Mayer defeated him last year in Sydney. I think Delpo will have too much. Federer has an intriguing draw. Melzer and Verdassco are woefully out of form and I don't think offer much in the way of any slip ups. Delpo will be a looming figure. Delpo facing the varied pace of Mayer and then Fish who you would fancy to progress, but then with Muller and Falla in the first 2 rounds is harsh given the near scares Nadal and Federer have had with them at previous Slams. Fancy Delpo over Federer given his back problems at this moment in time.

Murray's side plays into his favour with big game hitters like Monfils and Malisse in his draw who will go for the big points with high risk strategy. Pusher players such as Troicki who has the thought of blowing a 2 set lead as little as 9 months ago at the FO and Ferrero who lurk in his side. Tsonga has a tough draw. Istomin is now push over and on his day could hit Tsonga off the court. With Simon there, I think for Tsonga to over come Simon and Murray in a BO5? Not going to happen in my book.

Gasquet I fancy to have a good tournament. Looking at his draw, the pick of the second round ties could him and Youzhny. I think Gasquet will have too much for Tipsy and Ferrer.

Nadal. Well so much for me hinders on his niggles. In his side of the draw are some big hitters. Ljubicic, Isner, Lopez. I think the 2 names out of the top 8 he would've wanted to miss is Tsonga and Berdych. If his shoulder troubles his serve, the big hitters will be all over it. I think Berdych will have enough to take him out at the quarters.

Losing in the SF's - Berdych, Murray

Murray and Djokovic locking horns again, but this time in a semi of Slam. A different mindset for Murray and different pressure as it is a Semi and not a Final. This will be a battle down to weapons and I think Djokovic's FH will prove too much.

Del Potro and Berdych to collide. I think if Berdych is to come through Nadal, I can't see him upsetting the Argentine who has been this far before and gone all the way. However, Berdych has had some good results in the past beating Federer in a Slam QF. I fancy Delpo in 4.

Losing in the Final - Del Potro

I think Djokovic is the form man and the best man to beat. Delpo I don't think could beat Djokovic and Federer at the same Slam. Djokovic in 4.

Winner - Djokovic

Losing in quarters - Tsonga, Ferrer, del Potro, Berdych

Losing in semis - Federer and Murray

Losing finalist - Nadal

Winner - Djoko

Losing in quarters - Tsonga, Ferrer,Federer, Berdych

Losing in semis - Nadal and Murray

Losing finalist - Delpo

Winner - Djoko

Losing in QF: Gasquet, Tsonga, Del Potro, Wawrinka
Losing in SF: Djokovic, Nalbandian
Runner-up: Murray; Winner: Federer

Nalbandian knocking out Nadal en route to the semis is more wishful thinking than a sensible prediction, but that guy deserves some more good results in the autumn of his career!

I think Murray will play a good final this time, but will fall just short against an in-form Federer.

prostaff85 wrote:
Nalbandian knocking out Nadal en route to the semis is more wishful thinking than a sensible prediction, but that guy deserves some more good results in the autumn of his career!

Can't agree more!

Losing in QF: Ferrer,Murray,Del Potro,Almagro
Losing in SF: Tsonga, Nadal
Losing in Final : Federer, Winner : Djorkovic

Losing in QF: Ferrer, Tsonga, Del Potro, Berdych
Losing in SF: Nadal, Djokovic
Losing Finalist: Federer
Winner: Murray

Maybe more hope than certainty in my predictions but it could happen

Seems like there is a following behind a Del Potro resurgence at the Slams beginning in Melbourne. It shall be interesting to see how the first few rounds go and whether he can build up a buzz with a mighty performance or two. Any momentum behind him will certainly go a long way to unsettling the top seeds and make for an opponent they will all want to avoid.

Losing in quarters - Tsonga, Ferrer, del Potro, Berdych
Losing in semis - Nadal & Murray
Losing finalist - Federer
Winner - Nole

It's tempting just to say the same as someone else just so I don't come last.
On the other hand it's tempting to just come last.

Losing in quarters - Tipsarevic, Murray, Del Potro, Berdych
Losing in semis - Djokovic, Davydenko
Losing finalist - Federer
Winner - Tsonga

Will there be a price for the boldest prediction? JHM has my vote.

Tenez wrote:Will there be a price for the boldest prediction? JHM has my vote.

It's certainly bold. I think mine is just hopeful.

Losing in quarters - Tsonga, Ferrer, Federer, Berdych
Losing in semis - Del Potro & Djokovich
Losing finalist - Murray
Winner - Nadal

Losing in QFs - Gasquet, Tsonga, Del Potro, Berdych
Losing in SFs - Nadal, Djokovic
Losing in Final - Murray
Winner - Federer

Keep the votes for Gasquet reaching the QF's coming

I am hoping he is near his 2007-08 best.

JuliusHMarx wrote:Losing in quarters - Tipsarevic, Murray, Del Potro, Nadal
Losing in semis - Djokovic, Davydenko

I would advise to make a small adjustment Julius: if you see Davydenko making it to the semi-finals, then Nadal would actually get eliminated before the quarters (same section of the draw).
You can still edit your predictions until Sunday 21:00 GMT!

Also if you change your mind about Tsonga

Tenez wrote:Will there be a price for the boldest prediction? JHM has my vote.

It's like when I play tennis - it's no fun if I'm not being a bit bold!

It's all good fun may have to watch it more often to see how badly ive done.

When i play tennis im the kind of the man who plays shots through my legs right until i do it once too often and get hit where it hurts

prostaff85 wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:Losing in quarters - Tipsarevic, Murray, Del Potro, Nadal
Losing in semis - Djokovic, Davydenko

I would advise to make a small adjustment Julius: if you see Davydenko making it to the semi-finals, then Nadal would actually get eliminated before the quarters (same section of the draw).
You can still edit your predictions until Sunday 21:00 GMT!

Also if you change your mind about Tsonga

Oh cr*p - mis-read the draw - I'll edit. Still have Davy beating Nadal and Tsonga winning.
I just think it's ripe for a bit of an upset - Djoko hasn't played for months, Nadal is/was injured and Fed might be injured. Plus Tsonga will have lots of confidence at the moment and Murray...well, I hope he wins it to be honest, but I can't quite bring myself to believe it.

hopefully by then feds will be injury free and back to his scintillating best!

fernando wrote:When i play tennis im the kind of the man who plays shots through my legs right until i do it once too often and get hit where it hurts

Very funny, if you do not hit the ball but the balls?

PS: Did I just make this comment as a moderator?

JuliusHMarx wrote:

Tenez wrote:Will there be a price for the boldest prediction? JHM has my vote.

It's like when I play tennis - it's no fun if I'm not being a bit bold!

I know! I also play the kind of tennis that doesn't bring any silver home!

laverfan wrote:

fernando wrote:When i play tennis im the kind of the man who plays shots through my legs right until i do it once too often and get hit where it hurts

Very funny, if you do not hit the ball but the balls?

PS: Did I just make this comment as a moderator?

It's more of hitting 3 at once

roflmao.

Losing in quarters - Ferrer, Tsonga, Del Potro, Nadal
Losing in semis - Berdych, Murray
Losing finalist - Djokovic
Winner - Federer

Now it looks a lot better!

laverfan wrote:roflmao.

are you actually rolling on the floor laughing whilst laughing your ass off (an extremely difficult feat surely)
Bill bailey summarizes it brilliantly
roflysst 'rolling on the floor laughing yet somehow still typing' XD genius

Losing in QF: Gasquet, Nishikori, Del Potro, Nadal
Losing in SF: Djokovic, Dolgopolov
Runner-up: Berdych; Winner: Murray

I'm not sure there is any reasoning behind these choices, just decided to go a bit random....and heart over head for the last one.

Losing in QFs - Ferrer, Tsonga, Del Potro, Nadal
Losing in SFs - Berdych, Murray
Losing in Final - Federer
Winner - Djokovic.

Losing in quarters: isner, tsonga, del potro, ferrer
semi: Murray, berdych
losing final: federer
winner: djokovic

I'm hoping isner can beat the nadull, but alas, in all honestly I expect the nadull to win and then beat fed in the semi

right going to go ith some wild stabs here, so here goes:

losing in QF: Djokovic, Berdych, Tsonga, Del Potro
losing in SF: Ferrer, Federer
losing final: Murray
winner: Nadal

Losing in qf - Tipsarevic, Murray, Del Potro, Nadal
Losing in semi - Tsonga, Berdych
Runner up - Federer
Winner - Djokovic

Losing in QF- Ferrer, Tsonga, Berdych, Fish
Losing in semi- Nadal, Murray
Runner up- Djokovic
Winner- Federer

Qf's - Ferrer, Tsonga, Berdych, Del Potro
Semi's - Nadal, Murray
Runner up - Federer
Winner - Djokovic

i hope im wrong and feds brings it home

Quarter - Ferrer, Del Potro, Tsonga, Almagro
Semi - Djokovic, Federer
Runner up - Nadal
Winner - Murray

Losing in QF: Ferrer, Tsonga, Del Potro, Wawrinka
Losing in SF: Murray, Federer
Runner-up: Nadal; Winner: Djokovic

Losing in quarters - Tipsarevic, Tsonga, Del Potro, Nadal

Losing in semis - Murray, Berdych

Losing finalist - Federer

Winner - Djokovic