Australian Open Predictions

Now that we have went through the draws, it is time for pick who I think will make the Semifinals and ultimately win the tournament, in both men and women.  Now, just because someone might have an easier draw it doesn't mean that they will necessarily mean they will make a run to the Finals, but they just might.  Let's get started!

What Will the Women's Semifinals Match be?

Victoria Azarenka vs. Serena Williams
Li Na vs. Maria Sharapova

The first matchup is no surprise to anybody.  These two players are clearly the cream of the crop of women's tennis at this time, as evidence by their epic Finals match at the 2012 US Open.  With the way these two are playing, I really don't see anybody outside of the other one even getting a set off these two.

The other Semifinals matchup might surprise you, at least half of it.  I believe Sharapova's hard-hitting game will help her get past tough opponents Venus Williams and Angelique Kerber.  For Li Na, I believe she will get warmed up from early easy competition and then proceed to rip through opponents such as Samantha Stosur and Aga Radwanska, thus setting up a matchup with Sharapova.

What Will the Women's Finals Match be?

Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova

Serena Williams is playing at a very high level right now, a level I am not sure even Victoria Azarenka can match.  I believe Azarenka will keep it close both sets, but Williams will just too much firepower for her to handle.

In the other Semifinal, I think that Li's inconsistent game will catch up to her, with Li trying to do too much to stay on the court with Sharapova.  Maria wins easily.

Who Will Win the Women's Final?

Serena Williams

Serena Williams matches up extremely well with Sharapova, as evidence by her superb record against Maria.  This was brought to the forefront during Williams' walloping of Sharapova in the women's Finals of the Olympics, with Sharapova hardly capable of winning a game.  Serena won't win in that fashion, but she will take it in fairly-easy straight sets.  I will continue to pick her until someone else in the field can show me they can beat her at the level she is playing at, on the biggest stage.

Who Will the Men's Semifinals Matches be?

Novak Djokovic vs. David Ferrer
Andy Murray vs. Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic, guided by a very easy draw, will have no problem navigating himself through the draw.  David Ferrer, unlike Djokovic, is very much in the background for this tournament.  No one really talks about Ferrer, even though he has proven to be a very good player.  I think he will, silently, make it into the Semifinals, ready to prove to the world that this is his time for a breakthrough.

Andy Murray, buoyed by his Olympic and US Open performance, will sail into the Semifinals, relatively unchallenged.  At the bottom of the bracket, Roger Federer will, once again, prove to never go down without a fight.  Federer, engrossed in at least one four set match, and a five setter too, will battle his way into the Semifinals, eager to prove that his Olympic Finals against Murray was not a sign of what's to come.

What Will the Men's Finals Match be?

David Ferrer vs. Roger Federer

Yes, Ferrer will shock Djokovic in the Semifinals.  His getting every ball back will frustrate Djokovic so much so, that he will begin hitting error after error, allowing Ferrer to take the match in four sets.  In the other semifinal, Federer, driven by his spanking at the Olympics, will best Murray in five hard-fought sets.  Federer wants another major, badly.

Who Will Win the Men's Final?

Roger Federer

Federer, his vast amount of experience propelling him, will be patient enough to wait for his opportunities against Ferrer, and take advantage of them.  It might not be easy, but Roger Federer will win the 2013 Australian Open in three tough sets, his 18th major championship.

Yes, you heard it from me.  Serena Williams and Roger Federer will win the 2013 Australian Open championships.  This one will be fun.