Aussie Open Preview: Day Six

Aussie Open Day 6...it just started, and now we are almost into the second week.

This preview is for the matches that will mark an end to the first action-packed week down under; thereby blowing the beagle for the second, which will be even rougher and tougher and probably even more eye-raising.

But until the next week's sun dawns, we still have our weekend, which by the looks of it doesn't appear to be dull at all. Let's sit back and enjoy the present. Tomorrow shall rise in its own course...

DAY SESSION MATCHES [11.00 AEST]:

ROD LAVER ARENA:

1. Shuai Peng vs. Serena Williams

Unseeded Peng meets Serena Williams in the first match for the day. Williams, the second seed, comes into the draw oozing confidence after her Grand Slam victory at Flushing Meadows.

Apart from that, considering her personal tennis life, she would be motivated more by her sister's second-round loss.

The match will be exciting if Peng tries to lift her game; but even then, it doesn't give the three-setter match look. Serena should be victorious in two straight ones.

Margaret COURT ARENA:

2. Mario Ancic vs. Gilles Simon

Ancic had a record of his own: The last player to defeat Federer at Wimbledon in 2002 until Rafa did that last year. After that, his career has taken a downswing, due to bouts of glandular fever.

Simon, who had a spectacular run last year, would be hoping to continue it further by reaching his first Slam fourth round.

The match promises to be a real thrill, for both the players are talented and much talked about. Speaking statistically, Ancic leads 1-0, but Simon as determined, as he is now should be the favourite. But in any case, the match should go down to the wire in five sets.

3. Richard Gasquet vs. Fernando Gonzalez

Gonzalez, who packed off Hewitt in the first round, meets "Baby Federer," and the match, in a way, has all the ingredients of a good appetiser for the upcoming second week's main menu.

Gasquet is an all-court player, and Gonzo's powerful baseline game looks interesting. Both have a point to prove and speculatively speaking, the point should be proven in no fewer than five sets.

Other matches in the day session: Dudi Sela vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils vs. Nicholas Almagro, Victoria Azarenka vs. Amelie Mauresmo, Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Alona Bondarenko, and Radek Stephanek vs. Fernando Verdasco.

EVENING SESSION MATCHES [19.30 AEST]:

ROD LAVER ARENA:

1. Samantha Stosur vs. Elena Dementieva

Of all the women top 10 players, Dementieva is the most consistent. 2008 was particularly good because she reached the Semi-Finals of Wimbledon and won the Gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Stosur, in comparison, might not be that consistent but she has the support and expectation of the home crowd. In spite being the clear underdog, Stosur should give Dementieva a run for her money. End result as said before, in Dementieva's favour.

2. Rafa Nadal vs. Tommy Haas

The World No. 1 is doing great so far and has not had a tough draw. Tommy Haas, the former World No. 3, is not in the best of form and therefore its an almost foregone conclusion about Rafa in the second week beginning Sunday. Match should either be a three- or maximum four-setter.

HISENSE ARENA:

1. Andy Murray vs. Jurgen Melzer

99.99 percent result in Murray's favour. The 00.01% is a worst case scenario in case Murray retires or something. This is absolutely an off-chance.

Also, the possibility of Murray losing a set against Melzer appears to be ludicrous. The best Melzer can hope is that Murray doesn't serve him a bagel.

P.S.: All the very best to each reader's favourite [if they are still out there playing] and happy weekending match session to all. Next time we meet, the fight will be neck-to neck with no uninteresting cases.

Till then...Enjoy!