Australian Open 2015 Results: Day 10 Scores and Day 11 Bracket Predictions
After more surprises came with Day 10 of the 2015 Australian Open, we're getting down to the final stages as action gears up for Day 11.
Wednesday brought with it the final tickets punched for semifinalists, with Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka both taking care of business against top-10 competition to set up a semifinal rematch. Madison Keys continued her takeover of the women's draw, toppling No. 18 Venus Williams and setting up a showdown with No. 1 Serena Williams, who breezed to a straight-set win herself.
You won't have to wait long, however, to get your first samples of semifinal action with two enticing matches on tap for Day 11.
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Here's a look at the top matchups on the slate, fit with predictions.
| No. 1 Novak Djokovic def. No. 8 Milos Raonic | 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-2 |
| No. 4 Stan Wawrinka def. No. 5 Kei Nishikori | 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(6) |
| No. 1 Serena Williams def. No. 11 Dominika Cibulkova | 6-2, 6-2 |
| Madison Keys def. No. 18 Venus Williams | 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 |
Note: Full Day 11 schedule courtesy of AusOpen.com.
Day 11 Predictions
No. 6 Andy Murray vs. No. 7 Tomas Berdych
It's not Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal running away with the men's bottom half of the draw; rather, it's No. 6 Andy Murray and No. 7 Tomas Berdych who will face off in Thursday's semifinal.
The British star has been on a tear since beginning play in Melbourne, easily cruising past his opening five opponents and even drubbing young sensation Nick Kyrgios in three dominant sets. He's only dropped one set all tournament long.
But the foe in Berdych he's set to face comes in even hotter, having failed to lose a single set in five victories. That includes a 6-2, 6-0, 7-6 smacking of Nadal in the quarterfinals that took plenty by surprise.
Along with an incredible hot streak, Berdych also brings an advantage in having Murray's former coach Dani Vallverdu in his corner. With few coaches more aware of Murray's style of play, the Brit believes it could work to his disadvantage.
"Dani knows my game inside out. I would expect he would come up with a great game plan," Murray told BBC Sport. "It should be perfect with how much time I've spent with Dani. He knows my game probably better than anyone."
Murray added, per BBC, that Berdych should be considered the slight favorite based on how well he's been playing and that he has Vallverdu in his corner. Whether he's selling himself short or participating in a bit of gamesmanship, Murray wasn't telling the complete truth there.
When it comes down to it, Murray's return game has been absolutely unstoppable, and Berdych won't be able to crush all of his first serves. Taking care of business on his own serve, Murray will have no trouble eking out a win in four sets despite a test from Berdych.
Prediction: Murray wins in four sets.
No. 2 Maria Sharapova vs. No. 10 Ekaterina Makarova
Maria Sharapova has seemingly had finalist written all over her since she touched down in Melbourne, and only one obstacle remains in her way of getting there.
That would be No. 10 Ekaterina Makarova, who has overcome a plethora of notable tests down the stretch to secure a meeting with the second overall seed.
Makarova only had to defeat one seeded foe before the quarterfinals, but then she was given the tough test of facing No. 3 Simona Halep. She didn't blink, winning in straight sets and also winning all of her matches this tournament by that same distance.
Sharapova has had to face her own tests, however, and passed them with flying colors, including her most recent win over No. 7 Eugenie Bouchard, as told by SportsCenter:
It will take Sharapova's best to overcome a red-hot Makarova, who still has failed to lose a set in singles, but she looks leaps and bounds ahead of where she was in the early stretches of the tournament. Her play has been picking up by the match, and with one win keeping her from another trip to the final, she won't budge.
Prediction: Sharapova wins in three sets.
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