Australian Open 2013 - Revisiting my Predictions

I predicted Li's run to the final

Australian Open 2013 - Revisiting my Predictions

Well the dust has well and truly settled on the year's first major and Novak and Vika have defended their titles and tucked away their trophies. 

Pre-tournament I predicted both singles events from the quarter finals onwards.  So who did I have too much faith in and who came through for me?

Women's Singles - Best Predictions

I scored 6 of the 8 quarter finalists correctly but my best call overall was unquestionably Li Na. 

After winning Shenzhen and playing well in Sydney I had a feeling the powerful 30 year-old would be on top form in Melbourne and thought she would take down Radwanska and Sharapova to reach her second final. 

I felt that rising star Sloane Stephens would have a breakout Slam and thought she's reach a first major quarter final - in Kvitova's section - but did not expect a semi-final for the American teen.  At the rate she's moving up she could finish the year in the top 10.

Men's Singles - Best Predictions

I guessed 5 of the 8 quarter finalists but my accurate guesses were not rocket science! 

I thought Novak would beat Berdych in the last eight and then correctly called the semi-final line-up and wins for Novak and Murray over Ferrer and Federer.  I foresaw the Serb gaining US Open revenge in the final.

I would have liked to have to have predicted a surprise quarter finalist like Jeremy Chardy who played some wonderful tennis to beat Del Potro and Seppi.

Women's Singles - Worst Predictions

Like all of the tennis world I was 100% sure Serena Williams would take her 16th Grand Slam. I would predict it again and am still shocked she did not lift the trophy.  Injuries came into play and had a major impact on her performance but surprising unexpected nerves also surfaced.

I had too much belief in Brisbane finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.  I thought the Russian 24th seed would get through to her third Grand Slam quarter final. 

I should have looked at her first round draw more closely and considered that Ukrainian Tsurenko qualified and then reached the semi-finals in Brisbane where she ironically fell in three sets to the Russian.

Men's Singles - Worst Predictions

I have no doubt Grigor Dimitrov will reach major quarter finals in the not too distant future but I called it a bit too early. Both Brisbane finalists did not come through for me! 

I knew that Julien Benneteau was a tough opener for the young Bulgarian but saw him coming through a gripping encounter before going all the way to the last eight, not going down 4, 2 and 4.

Frustratingly I initially called Nicolas Almagro in that section and should have stuck with the Spanish 10th seed who not only did reach his first Australian quarter final but should have been in his first major semi.

I had a feeling that Richard Gasquet would overcome compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last 16 but the talented 9th seed can be so frustrating and faded badly after an impressive second set.  Gasquet is never a safe bet!

Overall I'm reasonably happy with my predictions, they'll be more to come as the 2013 season progresses.

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