Australian Open 2015 Results: Winners, Scores, Stats from Day 9 Singles Bracket
Could Day 9 of the Australian Open have been any more shocking? Of the four top-seeded players going into the day, two were dropped by lower-ranked opponents.
Of course, No. 3 Rafael Nadal was the most surprising upset with his recent success against No. 7 Tomas Berdych. The Czech player has torched his way through the field, but the win over Nadal might mark one of the biggest moments of his career.
In the women's bracket, third-seeded Simona Halep was dropped by No. 10 Ekaterina Makarova. The Russian will now meet the top player from her country in No. 2 Maria Sharapova after she dismissed No. 7 Eugenie Bouchard.
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Here's a full look at the scores from Day 9 and a breakdown of the matches.
| No. 7 Tomas Berdych def. No. 3 Rafael Nadal | 6-2, 6-0, 7-6(5) |
| No. 6 Andy Murray def. Nick Kyrgios | 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 |
| No. 10 Ekaterina Makarova def. No. 3 Simona Halep | 6-4, 6-0 |
| No. 2 Maria Sharapova def. No. 7 Eugenie Bouchard | 6-3, 6-2 |
Berdych Bests Nadal in Dominant Fashion
Seventeen straight wins. That's how dominant Nadal has been over Berdych in their recent history. On Day 9 of the Australian Open, that all changed.
Berdych not only beat Nadal, but he did so with conviction. The No. 7 player in the world took Nadal down in straight sets, including a 6-0 win in the second. Berdych discussed the decisive victory following the match, per Piers Newbery of BBC Sport:
"It feels great. The really good thing is the plan that we put together was the right one.
Everything was working. I was able to execute it really well. But still, until the last point you can't think about anything else.
When it's done, it's done. It's great. I might be think about it and enjoy the time until tomorrow morning. When I wake up, I need to get myself ready for another one. There is a still long way to go in this tournament and I need to be ready for it.
"
Moving forward, Berdych will no doubt have even tougher tests. Nadal was the No. 3 player, but he came in with questions about his health. Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka have had no such concerns.
Given the fact that both Djokovic and Wawrinka have won the Aussie Open in the past, one of the two would likely be his matchup in the final. For now, Berdych will have to worry about another Big Four member in Murray, who looked equally as impressive in the quarters.
Makarova Makes Second Straight Semis; Will Face Sharapova
Throughout her career, Makarova has enjoyed plenty of success in Grand Slams. However, neither of her major wins have been in singles, making her recent run all the more impressive.
Her dismissal of Halep marked just the second time in the last four majors that she has been ousted before the semifinals. Now she's destined for a huge matchup with Sharapova, as the Australian Open account notes:
Her individual success is beginning to shine through, but Makarova needs a win over Sharapova to place herself in the discussion as a major contender. Regardless of who wins, tennis fans will be in for a treat on Day 11 with the two Russians facing off.
Andy Murray Knocks Out Hometown Kid
If anyone knows how difficult it is to win at home, it's Andy Murray. After eight years of trying, Murray famously won Wimbledon back in 2013.
On Day 9 of the Aussie Open, he dismissed Nick Kyrgios, who was en route to his first semifinals appearance in a Grand Slam. The 19-year-old Australian was simply no match for the cool, calm and collected Murray in the quarters.
Not only did Murray advance, but he takes on Berdych rather than Nadal. Coming in at full health and looking dominant, Murray has a chance to make his first final since the 2013 Wimbledon on Day 11.
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