Australian Open 2015: Day 6 Schedule, Matchup Predictions for Melbourne Bracket
The first goliath finally fell in Melbourne during the 2015 Australian Open.
The tournament's first four days saw the likes of Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova pushed to the brink before staying alive, but such wasn't in the cards for No. 2 Roger Federer. He couldn't overcome a magnificent performance from Italian Andreas Seppi, falling in four sets to end a stunning streak of 11 consecutive semifinal appearances in Melbourne.
While Federer stumbled, both Nadal and Sharapova found their footing with straight-set wins on Day 5, and Andy Murray did the same. But don't be surprised if the shocking loss on Day 5 has the world's best players locked and loaded entering Day 6 to prevent themselves from similar embarrassment.
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Here's a complete look forward to Day 6 of the bracket, including predictions for the top matchups. As always, the complete schedule can be found at AusOpen.com.
| No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 31 Fernando Verdasco | 3 a.m. | Rod Laver |
| No. 4 Stan Wawrinka vs. Jarkko Nieminen | 9:30 p.m. | Rod Laver |
| No. 9 David Ferrer vs. No. 18 Gilles Simon | 3 a.m. | Margaret |
| No. 5 Kei Nishikori vs. Steve Johnson | 2 a.m. | Hisense |
| No. 8 Milos Raonic vs. Benjamin Becker | 8:15 p.m. | Hisense |
| No. 19 John Isner vs. Gilles Muller | 2 a.m. | Show Court 3 |
| No. 12 Feliciano Lopez vs. Jerzy Janowicz | 9:30 p.m. | Margaret |
| No. 1 Serena Williams vs. No. 26 Elina Svitolina | 8:15 p.m. | Rod Laver |
| No. 4 Petra Kvitova vs. Madison Keys | 4:15 a.m. | Rod Laver |
| No. 6 Agnieszka Radwanska vs. No. 30 Varvara Lepchenko | 7 p.m. | Rod Laver |
| No. 18 Venus Williams vs. Camila Giorgi | 7 p.m. | Margaret |
| No. 25 Barbora Zahlavova Strycova vs. Victoria Azarenka | 9:30 p.m. | Margaret |
| No. 24 Garbine Muguruza vs. Timea Bacsinszky | 7 p.m. | Hisense |
No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 31 Fernando Verdasco
Leave it to the top seed on the men's draw to be the only one among the top four to face a seeded foe in the opening three rounds.
Alas, top-seeded Novak Djokovic comes into Round 3 rolling off of two straight-set wins to get started in Melbourne. While Nadal has been nearly tripped up once and Federer isn't even left standing, Djokovic has hardly broken a sweat.
Even against a worthy opponent like No. 31 Fernando Verdasco, all that Djokovic should be concerned with is his own play. When he's attacking with his forehand and flying across the court like he has been thus far in Melbourne, he's practically unbeatable.
On top of that, he's easy money in Melbourne after having won the event from 2011 to 2013, per the tournament's Twitter:
Djokovic is experienced enough to know what Verdasco is capable of, having lost to him four times in 10 career matches. He's also spry enough to overcome adversity, which shouldn't be the case with Verdasco four years his senior.
The Spaniard will keep himself close with powerful service, but Djokovic will be on top of his game and fail to drop a set en route to Round 4.
Prediction: Djokovic wins, 6-4, 6-3, 7-5
No. 1 Serena Williams vs. No. 26 Elina Svitolina
Think Serena Williams' opening two matches have lacked for drama just because they were straight-set victories? Think again.
Williams' first-round win over Alison Van Uytvanck didn't come without excitement as the underdog nearly rallied to win the second set and force a third decisive one. In Round 2, she had to see off a pair of set points in the opening set before winning the match's final 10 games to secure another lopsided win.
Heading into Round 3 action against 26th-seeded Elina Svitolina, the tests will only get tougher, but Williams' form promises to follow suit.
Svitolina is one of the true rising stars in women's tennis, yet is still performing in the third round of a Slam for the very first time. With her only match against Williams a resounding straight-set loss back in 2012 on clay, there's no telling how she'll react to the big stage.
Meanwhile, we know what we're going to get from Williams—an inspired and energetic performance, even if her shots aren't falling. And in the opening two rounds, that was more than enough to notch the easy victory.
Prediction: Williams wins, 6-1, 6-4
Victoria Azarenka vs. No. 25 Barbora Zahlavova Strycova
If it's possible for someone who won this event in 2012 and 2013 to be the underdog of the tournament this year, mark Victoria Azarenka as that person.
She did take the title in Melbourne twice in the last three years, but she has otherwise suffered a huge fall from contention in women's tennis. That didn't impact the way she came into 2015, however, toppling No. 8 Caroline Wozniacki in Round 2 to serve as one of the big early upsets.
Now the question becomes whether she can truly make another deep run, per ESPN Tennis:
"Victoria Azarenka looked impressive in her straight set win over Caroline Wozniacki yesterday. How far can #Vika go? pic.twitter.com/4P8iwuCVHr
— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) January 22, 2015"
She's only getting started, heading into a third-round bout with No. 25 Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.
History is on Azarenka's side in a massive way. Most relevantly, she has defeated Strycova in both of their two competitive matches in the past. Also, Strycova has only made it past Round 3 of a Slam once—last year's Wimbledon.
Form is the biggest thing in these tournaments, but experience is a close second, and Azarenka has both on her side as she looks to add Australian Open title No. 3 to her resume.
Prediction: Azarenka wins, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
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