PETE ZIEBRON
Andy Murray is seeking his 3rd major and 1st Australian Open title. Pete Ziebron Images
Arguably, of the top 8 seeds, Roger Federer carried the most momentum heading into the 2015 Australian Open. So it was a big surprise when he was the only top 8 seed not to advance to the quarterfinals. In fact, Federer, winner of the 250-level tournament in Brisbane a couple of weeks earlier, fell in the 3rd round to Andreas Seppi, an opponent whom he had dominated in each of their 10 previous meetings. Federer's vacancy in the quarters was filled by 19 year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios, who achieved his 2nd quarterfinal in the last 3 majors.
Upsets early in a major create opportunities for the upstarts but often prevent the tournament from featuring attractive blockbuster matches in the quarterfinals. Despite Federer's absence, each of the other 7 top seeds did indeed advance to the quarters. However, the actual results that happened in the quarterfinals were 4 straight set victories, including an absolute stunner turned in by #7 seed Tomas Berdych.
Berdych headed into his quarterfinal against #3 seed and 2009 Australian Open Champion Rafael Nadal. The Czech was appearing in his 5th consecutive AO quarter and was seeking to repeat the semifinal berth that he earned last year. However, Nadal had won their past 17 previous meetings and Berdych managed to win only 3 of the 40 sets they contested over that stretch. On Thursday, Tomas Berdych needed only 2 hours and 13 minutes to advance to the semis as he swept Nadal 6-2 6-0 7-6(5) and concurrently matched his entire previous set victory tally in their last 17 meetings.
Andy Murray had to breathe a sigh of relief when he learned that the top seed in his quarter, Roger Federer, was eliminated by Seppi. Last November, Federer demolished Murray 6-0 6-1 in 56 minutes at the World Tour Finals. Instead of Federer's anticipated place in the quarters, he was replaced by the young Aussie, Nick Kyrgios. Andy Murray, his sights set on his 3rd major title and first Australian Open crown, easily eliminated the 19 year-old 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 to advance to play Berdych.
The straight set victories in the quarters continued the following day as defending Australian Open Champion and #4 seed Stan Wawrinka swept 2014 US Open finalist and #5 seed Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-4 7-6(5). Many analysts were calling for a Nishikori victory, however Wawrinka smashed 20 aces en route to his comfortable victory.
In the last of the quarterfinals, 4-time Australian Open Champion and #1 seed Novak Djokovic dominated play against #8 seed Milos Raonic, advancing to the semis with a 7-6(5) 6-4 6-2 win. Following the match, Djokovic elaborated about his success in the match: "Tonight there was not much I could complain about. From the first game till the last I played the way I wanted."
Four highly anticipated quarterfinals were completed and tennis fans in Melbourne and around the world watched 4 blowouts. The most lopsided match of the four, ironically, was Berdych's upset of Nadal.
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