Tomic edges past Dolgopolov, Federer up next

Federer is next up for Tomic

Bernard Tomic broke his duck against Alexandr Dolgopolov as he won 4-6 7-6 7-6 2-6 6-3.  This had five sets written all over it before they took to the court and it totally delivered! It was a really interesting match with a refreshing feel to it with both players having slightly unorthodox games.  The contest was a  battle of the slices and it was intriguing to see who would make the first move in rallies.  I felt in the first three sets, Dolgopolov was the better player and demonstrated his superior power, but Tomic did well to hang in there with the Ukranian.  Both players were guilty of losing concentration throughout the match, but it was an excellent contest and Tomic finished the match off in style.

Tomic will play Roger Federer in the next round, who was pushed hard by Ivo Karlovic, but never looked in danger of losing in a 7-6 7-5 6-3 victory.  The match will be remembered for a sensational Federer lob, which he produced down set point in the first set tiebreak.  Rafael Nadal produced a fine performance to beat Lukas Lacko, 6-4 6-2 6-2.  I'm finding that every player I thought would struggle is passing by each round with flying colours! He will next face fellow Spaniard, Feliciano Lopez who brought out his best tennis at the end of the match to defeat a tiring John Isner in another five set tussle, 6-3 6-7 6-4 6-7 6-1 .

Juan Martin Del Potro's Australian Open is really kicking into gear now as he destroyed Yen-Hsun Lu, 6-2 6-3 6-0.  Del Potro will next play the dangerous, Philipp Kohlschreiber.  Kohlschreiber took out Mardy Fish's conqueror, Alejandro Falla in straight sets and will be a much tougher test for Argentine.  The final quarter final will be contested between Tomas Berdych and Nicolas Almagro.  Berdych produced a excellent performance with a +21 differential of winners to errors in his 7-6 7-6 6-1 victory over big serving, Kevin Anderson.  Almagro was also in good form, but benefited from an error-strewn performance from Stanislas Wawrinka as he surprisingly took their match in straight sets.

Mens 3rd round predictions

Novak Djokovic to beat Nicolas Mahut in 3 sets

Milos Raonic to beat Lleyton Hewitt in 4 sets

Janko Tipsarevic to beat Richard Gasquet in 5 sets

David Ferrer to beat Juan Ignacio Chela in 3 sets

Andy Murray to beat Michael Llodra in 3 sets

Gael Monfils to beat Mikhail Kukushkin in 3 sets

Kei Nishikori to beat Julien Benneteau in 5 sets

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to beat Frederico Gil in 3 sets