The first major of the tennis season already underway as the Australian Open is rolling towards the third round down under in Melbourne.
Both sides of the men's and women's draws offer a range of interesting matchups down the line in the later rounds, including a Serena Williams-Victoria Azarenka battle in the semifinals. Roger Federer and U.S. Open champion Andy Murray have a possible date in the semifinals as well, with Juan Martin del Potro also lurking on their side of the draw.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic has the clearest path to the finals of all the top players, but he still could face tough matchups against Tomas Berdych and Sam Querrey. Here is a prediction for both the men's and women's championship as well as possible battles they may face on the way to the Grand Slam title.
Men's Final Round:
Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic
Djokovic is the two-time defending champion at the Australian Open and has the easiest road to the finals of any of the top seeds. He coasted through the first two rounds of the tournament, defeating both Paul-Henri Mathieu and Ryan Harrison in straight sets, including a 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 line against the American in the second round.
Djokovic has a third round match against 31-seed Radek Stepanek, but likely won't have any trouble, as the last time he did not advance past the third round in a major was back in 2008. He has potential matches against Tomas Berdych and Sam Querrey, who is the highest ranked American left in the tournament.
Berdych advanced to the third round and will play Jurgen Melzer, while Querrey faces a tough match against Stanislas Wawrinka. Djokovic has the advantage against all of these players and likely will not face a true test until the quarters or the semifinals. Querrey will be a tough challenge, as he upset Djokovic at the Paris Masters in October. He will keep his mind on that performance if he takes on the defending champion.
Federer has a much tougher part of the draw, but he should be able to move through to the finals despite having to play against Murray if he advances that far.
Another break for Federer is that Juan Martin Del Potro and Murry will have to face off in the quarters, meaning at least one of them will be gone if he advances out of his bracket. Del Potro is the only other man besides Rafael Nadal, Federer, Djokovic or Murray to win a major over the past four years (U.S. Open) and could provide a tough match for either player if he advances.
Federer has been extremely successful at the tournament, making it to the semifinals every year since 2004. That will not be an easy streak to break for the other players. Federer eased past Benoit Paire 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 in the first round and will face off against Nikolay Davydenko in the second.
Past the beginning of the draw, Federer can look forward to playing either Richard Gasquet or o-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals. Both players are skilled, but neither are up to par with Federer, who should breeze his way into the semifinals.
If both top seeds can make their way through the draw, it will offer another exciting matchup in what has become the dominant tennis rivalry in the sport. Federer-Nadal has fallen by the way side since Nadal has been hurt and the ascension of Djokovic has made Federer a target.
The two have played 29 times in their careers, with Federer leading 16-13. Djokovic defeated Federer the last time they played in the finals of the Barclays ATP World Tour in November, prevailing 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 after a tough first set tiebreak, but this time things may be different.
Federer has looked like his younger self over the past few months and has been in top shape. Djokovic likely will be the favorite since he won this major the past two years, but Federer will be determined this year to get another Australian Open title after not winning one since 2010.
Murray is the wild card in all this, since he will have a chance to defeat Federer in the semifinals if he advances that far. He defeated Robin Haase 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 in the first round and will play against Joao Sousa in the second. Murray has beaten both Djokovic and Federer on big stages this year-Federer in the Olympics and Djokovic in the U.S. Open-meaning he is likely the only man in the tournament to have beaten both men last year.
If Murray can get past Federer in the semifinals, the championship round will be a rematch of the 2012 U.S. open, which the British star won in epic style with a 7-6 (12-10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 result.
Women's Final Round:
Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova
The women's side of the draw is a bit simpler, but there are still challenges for the top seeds.
Defending champion Victoria Azarenka has a tough road to the finals, with Serena Williams in her half of the draw as the No. 3 seed, but she should at least get to the semifinal round. If she does, she will face off against Williams in a rematch of the U.S. Open final, which Williams won.
Although Azarenka is the top seed, Williams is playing extremely well and has a good chance to get to the finals. Things are a little muddled since no one knows the true extent of Serena Williams' ankle injury, but chances are she will advance to the finals for the second straight major after winning the U.S. Open in 2012.
"I would really rather not know. I know one year I won this tournament and had two bone bruises in both knees," Williams said to ESPN after her opening match. "I had no idea. I just knew I was in pain."
Williams has a draw that includes young stars such as Sloane Stephens and Melanie Oudin, but unless her ankle gives her trouble, she should be clear. Azarenka easily dispatched Monica Niculescu in the first round, while Williams took care of Edina Gallovits without dropping a game.
Maria Sharapova, who is the No. 2 seed, luckily will not have to face off against Williams or Azarenka until the finals, making her an early favorite to make it through. She will face off against Venus Williams in the third round, while No. 15 Dominika Cibulkova could be there in the fourth. Sharapova has looked sharp through two rounds, winning in straight sets while not dropping a game against Olga Puchkova and Misaki Doi
He finals will likely be Williams/Azarenka against Sharapova, but Li Na, Sara Errani and Caroline Wozniacki could play spoiler. A Williams/Sharapova final would offer some amazing tennis and would give both stars a challenge to start the season.
As long as her ankle is healthy, Williams is the pick down under. If she wins the tournament, she will retake the No. 1 ranking from Azarenka.
