Australian Open 2015: Updated TV Schedule, Predictions for Remaining Favourites
The Australian Open reaches its final week with legendary player Roger Federer already out of the competition, serving as a warning to the other favourites who still remain that nothing is set in stone.
We are almost down to the final eight players in both the men's and women's draws as Round 4 comes to its natural conclusion.
No. 1 seeds Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are both still on course to capture this Grand Slam tournament, with the Serbian looking to win his fifth Aussie Open and the American trying to grab an astonishing sixth crown.
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Here, we provide you with the latest TV scheduling for the next six days of play as well as make predictions for the remaining favourites in the competition.
Each day's play will be shown live on British Eurosport HD in the UK:
| 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. | Round of 16 | Tennis Channel | |
| 9 p.m. - 6 a.m. | 2 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Quarter-finals | ESPN2 | |
| 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. | Quarter-finals | Tennis Channel | |
| 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. | 2 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Quarter-finals | ESPN2 | |
| 3:30 a.m. - 6 a.m. | 8.30 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Quarter-finals | ESPN2 | |
| 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. | Quarter-finals | Tennis Channel | |
| 9:30 p.m. - 2 a.m. | 2 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Semi-finals | ESPN2 | |
| 3:30 a.m. - 6 a.m. | 8.30 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Semi-finals | ESPN | |
| 11 p.m. - 3:30 a.m. | 4 a.m. - 8.30 a.m. | Semi-finals | Tennis Channel | |
| 3:30 a.m. - 6 a.m. | 8.30 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Semi-finals | ESPN | |
| 11 p.m. - 3 a.m. | 4 a.m. - 8.30 a.m. | Semi-finals | Tennis Channel | |
| 3 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. | 8.00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m. | Women's final | ESPN | |
| 3 a.m. - 6:30 a.m. | 8.00 a.m. - 11.30 a.m. | Men's final | ESPN |
Andy Murray to Topple Rafael Nadal in Semi-Final?
It is difficult to see anyone except Djokovic as the winner of the Australian Open after Saturday—but the improving form of Andy Murray casts doubt on who the Serbian machine will face on the final hurdle.
Murray has suffered from poor health and a lack of top-quality form after his Grand Slam heroics of recent times, and he has found it difficult to catch up with the elite players in the world.
But there are signs the British No. 1 is heading in the right direction after his fourth-round victory over Grigor Dimitrov.
The 10th seed was tipped to overcome Murray in their battle to reach the quarter-finals, but the Scot found an extra gear and powered through for the win: 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5.
It was a much more controlled performance from the former Wimbledon champion and Olympic gold medalist, and he will take much solace in how deep he was able to dig against a dangerous opponent.
Piers Newbery of BBC Sport quoted the No. 6 seed after the match, speaking about his win and his ever-improving confidence:
"For a match that went three and a half hours, physically I felt way better than the last year or so. My body allowed me to play that way for the whole duration of the match. I didn't feel tired. I felt fresh. My back felt good. I wasn't feeling stiff at all.
"
Those words will excite British tennis fans who have stuck with Murray since he was a boy and watched him rise up the rankings to become one of the very best.
But a week ago no one would have considered Murray as a potential finalist—but that has now changed.
Former British kingpin Greg Rusedski spoke about Murray's resolve after the match and praised his countryman's efforts:
Rusedski's positivity is not unfounded, and Murray can really be a threat from his current position.
Rafa Nadal has a tricky quarter-final with Tomas Berdych—the tournament's No. 7 seed—and there is no guarantee he will come through unscathed against such a hard opponent.
Murray could be the wild card in the 2015 edition of the Aussie Open, and if he gets to the final to meet Djokovic—all bets are off.
The Andy Murray of old has returned, and the tennis world will fear his presence.
Serena Williams to Make It Aussie Title No. 6
Over the years, Serena Williams has performed multiple miracles on the tennis court, crushing the best the women's game has to offer.
And there is nothing to suggest the script will not go to plan once more as she drives towards another historic Australian achievement.
The competition has already seen the likes of Ana Ivanovic, Angelique Kerber and Sabine Lisicki crash out in the early stages, leaving the challenge to Williams' supremacy depleted.
But No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova still remains, and she is the only viable obstacle to stop the Serena juggernaut from ploughing on through once more.
Williams now faces the useful Garbine Muguruza for a place in the last eight of the competition, and the Spanish player has a strong enough game to trouble the legend.
However, in reality—it would be a huge shock to see Williams come close to losing this affair, and she should book her place in the quarter-finals.
This is a tournament only Williams can lose, with Sharapova is not showing the form of a champion at present.
There is no doubt Serena is the greatest female player of her generation—and yet another Aussie victory will help propel her to being considered the best of all time.
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