Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.
Tennis

News

Day Seven Preview

01/21/2012 07:38:50 AM

Ever since the Australian Open draw came out everyone was hoping for a fourth round showdown between boom teenager Bernard Tomic and world No.3 Roger Federer and on Sunday night it becomes a reality.

Tomic has been the story of the tournament so far with three quality victories to give local fans hope of a first Australian champion since Mark Edmonson beat John Newcombe in the 1976 final.

The 19-year-old opened his campaign with a stunning comeback win over 22nd seed Fernando Verdasco before a tight four-set triumph over Sam Querrey.

But it was his epic five-set victory over 13th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov that has people believing he can go all the way.

However, standing in his way is arguably the greatest player of all time who will become just the seventh man in history to notch 1000 ATP Tour matches.

Federer's path to the Round of 16 has been far less spectacular with two workmanlike wins over qualifier Alexander Kudryavtsev and Ivo Karlovic either side of a walkover after Andreas Beck withdrew from their second round match.

The two have met just once before with Federer needing four sets in their Davis Cup clash on grass last September.

Also working in the 16-time Grand Slam champion's favour is the fact he has been on court for just 235 minutes compared to 613 minutes by Tomic.

Whatever happens it promises to be a gripping contest and another opportunity for Tomic to match it with one of the best players on tour.

Following the feature match is world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, who takes on Serbian 13th seed Jelena Jankovic.

Wozniacki, who is still aiming for his first Grand Slam title, has flown under the radar so far with three pretty straightforward victories.

Jankovic has also progressed with relatives ease and will head into the clash full of confidence having beaten the Dane four times from seven meetings, although Wozniacki has been victorious the past three times - all of which were last year.

Headlining the day session is second seed Rafael Nadal, who plays fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in what should be a comfortable victory for the 2009 champion.

Opening proceedings is world No.3 Victoria Azarenka against Iveta Benesova, while defending champion Kim Clijsters takes on fifth seed Li Na in a repeat of last year's final.

Clijsters holds a 5-2 winning record over the Chinese woman, but Li was victorious in the final of the Sydney International last year.

German 22nd seed Julia Goerges plays eighth seed Agnieszka Radwanska at Hisense Arena with men's seventh seed Tomas Berdych's clash against 10th seed Nicolas Almagro to follow.

Finally, ground pass holders can see 11th seed Juan Martin del Potro in action when he takes on Phillip Kohlschreiber on Margaret Court Arena.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

You Might Also Like

Venus into quarters
Venus into quarters
Sixth seed Venus Williams has moved a step closer to a semi-final showdown with sister ...
 
 
 
 

Most Read Articles

Cold tyres almost cost Webber dearly
Cold tyres almost cost Webber dearly
Motorsport
05/27/2012 10:46:36 PM
Monaco Grand Prix winner Mark Webber described the end of Sunday's race as 'very strange' ...
 
 
Inu stars as Dogs deny Roosters
League
05/28/2012 10:54:23 AM
 
Freo's failure comes down to talent
AFL
05/27/2012 11:02:27 PM
 
Gritty Tigers do Sheens proud
League
05/27/2012 10:01:48 PM
 
Knights sign Broncos discard
League
05/28/2012 08:27:12 AM
 
Bombers look to set up season
AFL
05/28/2012 01:41:21 AM
 
Leilua charged and stood down
League
05/28/2012 04:01:25 AM
 
Sea Eagles to accept Matai's ban
League
05/28/2012 05:41:32 AM
 
 
 

Your Say

Galleries

The Weekend That Was
28/05/2012 1:40:06 PM
Take a look back at all the weekend sport from around the world. We have it all covered from AFL to Baseball to Barefoot Running and even some Sailing. So take some time off and look back at what you might have missed.
2012 Australian Open: Final
30/01/2012 1:05:03 PM
Victoria Azarenka claimed her first ever Grand Slam title while Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal produced one of the most remarkable tennis matches of all time.