Super Saturday

Match Of The Day

Gael Monfils;  boring, uninspiring, clumsy, fragile.  These are words that are not in Gael’s dictionary. In fact, he probably doesn’t know that these words even exist. The vibrant Frenchman is an entertainer and it would be a fair bet to say there is no more dynamic a performer in men’s tennis, then this flexible showman. 

Tonight he comes up against the world number one on the biggest stage.  When asked in French if he would prefer afternoon or night, the playful Monfils answered emphatically, “le soir, le soir.” He gets his wish, prime-time under lights at Rod Laver Arena.

Men’s Round 3 Picks

Teymuraz Gabashvilli v Roger Federer [6]

Teymuraz has beaten some quality (Stakhovsky & Verdasco) on his way to a third round class with the Swiss Maestro.  But is another upset on the cards? Unlikely. Federer in 3 against the world number 79.

Milos Raonic [11] v Grigor Dimitrov [22]

Raonic is aiming to reach his fifth Grand Slam round of 16, Dimitrov his first. Every bit of experience helps. Raonic in four.

Donald Young v Kei Nishikori [16]

Nishikori in 4.

Rafael Nadal [1] v Gael Monfils [25]

Monfils can play like a rockstar, but he hasn’t got a back-up band – and Nadal is all about long solo performances. Nadal in four.

Roberto Bautista Agut v Benoit Paire [27]

After taking out Canberra's Nick Kyrgios in 5 sets, Paire is in for another marathon.

Paire in 5. 

   

Andy Murray [4] v Feliciano Lopez [26]

Murray's record against Lopez speaks for itself.

Murray in 3.

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga [10] v Gilles Simon [18]

Tsonga is playing a weary and worn-out opponent after Simon, sore ankle and all, went five sets in each of his first two rounds. Tsonga in four.

The Action So Far:

A week with heatwaves, epic 5 setters, the emergence of new Aussie stars and the ever present Henri Leconte... Melbourne is having a blast.

But it's fair to say that the weather has been a little weird…

There has also been plenty of action on the courts. Cramping has been a constant throughout the week, but Robredo thought he'd pretend to be hurt in an altogether different way...