The first week of the Australian Open came to an end this morning and by the time you read this article the men’s quarter final line up should be complete. The bottom half of the draw threw up plenty of shocks and surprises along the way and the biggest so far came yesterday when NextGen star and fourteenth seed Tsitsipas from Greece produced the biggest performance of his fledgling career to beat defending champion, the great Roger Federer from a set down 6-7 7-6 7-5 7-6.

Tsitsipas faces another experienced pro in the quarter finals, twenty second seed Bautista Agut, who produced another giant killing performance on Sunday by knocking out sixth seed and 2018 finalist Cilic in his third five set epic of the tournament. Both players were aiming to reach their first Grand Slam semi-final and because they are at the peak of their powers and playing so well it’s a tough result to call, but I expect it will go the distance.

Whoever reaches the semi-final will potentially have an even bigger mountain to overcome and climb as second seed and 2009 champion Rafa Nadal had swept aside all his competition in ruthless fashion without dropping a set last week, and i expect he will dish out the same medicine tomorrow against the surprise package at this year’s men’s tournament, the unseeded American and NextGen star Tiafoe.

The top half of the draw fourth round matches were due to be played this morning headed by top seed and six-time champion Djokovic, who was due to face the dangerous young NextGen Russian star and fifteenth seed Medvedev. The winner of this match will face either eighth seed Nishikori or twenty third seed Carreno-Busta in the quarter finals. Fourth seed Zverev was due to face sixteenth seed Raonic for a place in the quarter finals and the winner of this match will face either eleventh seed Coric or twenty eighth seed Pouille in the quarter finals.

Selections:

None.