Ricky Dimon

• Australian Open fourth-round expert picks

  2011-01-23 20:56:35
  

  Week 2 of the Australian Open officially begins on Monday and it's time for expert picks to return. The first installment begins with fourth-round action featuring Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and David Ferrer. Join the fun in the comments section and try to beat the experts for a chance to become an expert picker later in the tournament!.
  
  (1) Rafael Nadal vs. (15) Marin Cilic
  
  Ricky: Cilic absolutely destroyed Nadal in their one previous meeting, but that was in the fall of 2009 when Nadal was a different player and even a different person. This one, too, will be much different, especially with Cilic coming off a five-set marathon. Unless Cilic serves extremely well, Nadal is going to give him a free lesson in baseline tennis. Nadal 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2.
  
  Cheryl: This might be harder for Rafa than it would appear. Nadal has said that he's still not recovered from the illness that saw him out of Doha in the semifinals...also, he didn't serve particularly well against Bernard Tomic. The good news for Rafa is that Cilic is coming into this match off an absolutely VICIOUS 5-setter against John Isner. Nadal 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

   

  Kelli: Neither player will be 100% coming into this match. I think Cilic may be a little jaded after surviving a marathon with Isner. He'll have to cut down on his unforced errors and keep his serve percentage high. Nadal, who didn't look his best against Tomic, needs to up his level heading into week two. Nadal 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
  
  (5) Andy Murray vs. (11) Jurgen Melzer
  
  Ricky: Jurgen Melzer did not reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam during his first ELEVEN years on the ATP Tour. Now the guy can't NOT reach the fourth round. He has now done it four straight times and has been dominant in doing so in all four. Unfortunately, Murray is in the way now and Melzer is 0-4 lifetime against the Scot. Another good tournament comes to an end for Melzer. Murray 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(5).
  

   

  Cheryl: Melzer and Murray are both playing good ball right now...in fact Melzer is playing even better than his No. 11 ranking suggests. The bad news is that Murray is playing better than HIS ranking...and he's the No. 5 player in the world. I haven't seen Muzz play this well since he made the finals a year ago. Count on this match producing some of the tournament's best tennis. Murray 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(6).

   

  Kelli: Murray has looked very strong so far, and shouldn't really have much trouble with the veteran Melzer. May go four sets if the Scot starts slowly, but I doubt it. Murray 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2.
  
  (7) David Ferrer vs. Milos Raonic
  
  Ricky: Raonic is having his breakout week on tour, and he's having it a lot sooner than expected. Unfortunately for the big-serving Canadian, Ferrer is a terrible matchup for him. The Spaniard is one of the best returners in the game, and his second-serve return is arguably second to none. If Raonic serves at a low percentage, this will be a rout. Even if he serves well, Ferrer will give him a reality check. Ferrer 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
  

   

  Cheryl: This is Raonic's year. He's the new Tsonga/Baghdatis/Gonzalez/Verdasco at the Australian Open. Ferrer's a tough cookie, no doubt about it, and I wouldn't expect him to just roll over.... That being said, Raonic's serve is working better than Ferrer's return at the moment and that is not good news for the Spaniard. The good news for Ferrer is that Raonic has come all the way through qualifying and he's already been forced to beat the likes of Michael Llodra and Mikhail Youzhny. Because he wins free points with his massive serve, he might have enough left to dispatch Ferrer. Raonic 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
  
  Kelli: Raonic is on a serious roll, and I wouldn't be shocked if he pulls this off. Big serve, big ground game and a calm demeanor has worked wonders for the qualifier this week. Ferrer is a backboard though, and should be able to frustrate his less experienced opponent. The Spaniard for the win, but not without effort. Ferrer 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4, 7-6(4).

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