I love Gasquet's game & like to see him play well, but Tsonga did the necessary job & well done to him for getting to the QF.
I saw a game I like, in Chardy's performance against Del Potro and have never warmed to Seppi, so I'm pleased to see Chardy through.
Expectedly, Simon had little left in the tank & this match with Murray was a formality. I have little doubt the GS would have been given his marching orders by Murray regardless, but there is little doubt that his previous 5 set debacle was of help to Murray in this match. Murray gets through without dropping a set. He'll next face Chardy who is unlikely to cause him much concern either.
I disagree that Raonic didn't put up a challenge and that this match was comparable to the Murray / Simon one in that respect. MR's serve was not easy for Federer to break & the first 2 sets were difficult for that reason. What this match highlighted was that, despite a continuing improvement in his game, MR remains a one dimensional player, and often struggles when he needs more than his serve. I much prefer Tomic's game. Federer needs his full energy against Tsonga, so a less than riveting match against Raonic gets no complaints from me!
A quick & undramatic match will no doubt be most acceptable to Federer, and it certainly is to me!
For those who enjoy statistics, this was Federer's 251 GS match win & I think this is his 35th consecutive GS quarterfinal. Another outstanding achievement by the great man.
Results for 21st January:Federer bt Raonic 64,76,62.
Murray bt Simon 63,61,63.
Tsonga bt Gasquet 64,36,63,62.
Chardy bt Seppi 67,63,62,62.
Schedule of play for the 22 January:http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.htmlCan the semifinal be between anyone other than Ferrer / Djokovic? Will pigs fly in Melbourne this year?
