Australian Open 2015 Semifinals: Predictions for Matches to Decide Final Four
Every contender still left standing in the 2015 Australian Open is just one win away from the semifinals, which means top contenders' performances and feel-good stories alike will gain traction entering the tournament's final week.
Week 1 of any Grand Slam carries this aura of simply surviving and advancing. The early part of a draw can contain some impossibly dangerous matchups, and just making it through can be all that's asked for when the likes of Roger Federer and Petra Kvitova couldn't do so.
However, that's just the easy part. While a deep run to the quarters or semis in Melbourne can be a career-changing accomplishment for some, their place in history will only be secured by being the last one standing on Rod Laver Arena and hoisting the trophy.
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With Monday's action drawing to a close, the quarterfinal group of eight is set on both sides. With that in mind, let's look forward at the four matches in each draw and decide who will move on to the semifinals.
Men's Draw
| No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 8 Milos Raonic | Djokovic (3 sets) |
| No. 4 Stan Wawrinka vs. No. 5 Kei Nishikori | Nishikori (5 sets) |
| No. 7 Tomas Berdych vs. No. 3 Rafael Nadal | Nadal (4 sets) |
| No. 6 Andy Murray vs. Nick Kyrgios | Murray (5 sets) |
Care if we start at the top?
One person who surely doesn't mind starting at the head of the pack would be Novak Djokovic, and he's showing that with his incredible play in Melbourne. After winning the tournament three straight years before falling in last year's quarterfinals, Djokovic has failed to drop a single set in four convincing victories.
The Serbian faces his first top-10 foe of the tourney in Milos Raonic, the first Canadian man to make it this far since 1968. But after being pushed to five sets by Feliciano Lopez, Raonic won't be ready for a fresh and peaking Djokovic, as Tom Perrotta of The Wall Street Journal noted his impeccable ability:
But while Djokovic looks to position himself for a fourth Australian Open title, he could be just one win away from facing the nemesis who kept him from accomplishing the feat last year. That won't be in the cards, however, as defending champion Stan Wawrinka faces an immense test against No. 5 Kei Nishikori.
Nishikori burst onto the scene with his 2014 U.S. Open final run, and he is proving in Melbourne that he'll be around to stay. His straight-set drubbing of David Ferrer was among the most impressive performances by anyone in Melbourne, and his speed and forehand combination will just barely be too much for the aggressive defending champ.
Elsewhere, Andy Murray will put an end to Nick Kyrgios' Cinderella story by continuing to show his re-emergence on the scene. Kyrgios is a spectacular young player, but Murray is in peak form and will stay on the offensive to keep the hometown favorite from establishing himself.
One thing that didn't seem likely entering the tournament, though, is Rafael Nadal perhaps having the easiest route through the quarters. That may be the case, as the suddenly surging No. 2 seed faces Tomas Berdych—whom he has won 17 competitive matches in a row against.
Women's Draw
| No. 1 Serena Williams vs. No. 11 Dominika Cibulkova | Williams (2 sets) |
| Madison Keys vs. No. 18 Venus Williams | Keys (3 sets) |
| No. 2 Maria Sharapova vs. No. 7 Eugenie Bouchard | Sharapova (3 sets) |
| No. 10 Ekaterina Makarova vs. No. 3 Simona Halep | Halep (2 sets) |
Top-seeded Serena Williams and No. 18 Venus Williams are no strangers to having to go up against their fellow sibling in high-stakes situations, but it's certainly been a while.
The likelihood of that happening is increasing more and more, as now all each has to do is win her respective quarterfinal match to secure an all-Williams semifinal. But doing so at this level is far from a formality.
Serena's chances should be liked, having overcome a couple of different-but-dangerous tests in the tournament's first week to prove nobody other than herself will be able to prevent a title. Even after overcoming a close call from No. 24 Garbine Muguruza, she wasted no time talking up the importance of facing No. 11 Dominika Cibulkova, per the Australian Open:
Serena's heart and determination will get her through to the semis, but her sister won't be waiting for her. Instead, Venus is bound to fall victim to a red-hot Madison Keys in what could be one of the hardest-hitting matches of the year.
Keys is staking her claim as the most dangerous young player, and her mindset reflects that of a player capable of winning it all in Melbourne.
"I think it's a huge opportunity for me," Keys told The Associated Press, via ESPN.com. "I haven't been in this situation before, I'm going to make the most of it. But at the same time, no matter what, I'm not really going to be satisfied with any win. I want to be at the end of the tournament holding the trophy up."
No. 7 Eugenie Bouchard will have something to say about Keys being the best young player, but doing so against Maria Sharapova when she's playing at peak level is practically impossible. The Canadian will find her way to one or more Slams in 2015, but it won't come in Melbourne.
Waiting for Sharapova in the semis promises to be No. 3 Simona Halep, who has been improving by the match thus far and easily handled quarterfinal opponent No. 10 Ekaterina Makarova in their only previous meeting.
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