Fearless Forecasts - Day Six

Nadal (1) v Haas. Normally, it would be a dangerous match for Rafa, particularly in Melbourne, where Haas has been a semi-finalist three times. Unluckily, the German’s career was badly interrupted by shoulder surgery in late 2007, and his ranking has slipped to 79. Even so, he’s sparkled in the first two rounds. Nadal in five.

Murray (4) v Melzer (31). Last year, the top Austrian put his country into the Davis Cup World Group by winning the fifth and decisive rubber in a qualifying tie against Britain. Less impressively, the left-hander has lost all three of his previous matches with Murray, including a five-setter at the US Open. Murray in four.

Tsonga (5) v Sela. The injury-prone Frenchman, runner-up to Djokovic 12 months ago, has been grimacing and clutching his back during matches. (Fearless feels the same way every day just getting out of bed.) A fully fit Tsonga would be much too good for Sela, one of the few Israelis on the circuit. Tsonga in straight.

Blake (9) v Andreev (18). Blake is the No. 2 American, but few realize that Andreev is the No. 2 Russian (behind Davydenko). The mediocre Grand Slam performances of both men hardly reflect their true ability. But Blake holds a 5-0 margin over Andreev in their head-to-head record, a big psychologival boost. Blake in four.

S. Williams (2) v Peng Shuai. Serena will be wary of the growing band of Chinese players, because they’re all pretty good. Peng, who’s ranked 41, has made the second round here twice, and the third round of Wimbledon, also twice. Williams in straight.

Dementieva (4) v Stosur. The Aussie was back to her best against Lisicki. If she could repeat that form, she’d test Dementieva. But the consistent and always-fit Russian won’t let her dominate. Dementieva in three.

Kuznetsova (8) v A. Bondarenko. It’s five years since Kuznetsova won her lone Grand Slam singles triumph, the US crown. Now she’s hired the highly respected Olga Morozova – Wimbledon champion in 1974 – to see if she can recapture “that first fine careless rapture”. Poetry aside, Kuznetsova will be too solid for the older of the Ukrainian sisters. Kuznetsova in straight.

Azarenka (13) v Mauresmo (20). Mauresmo’s peak year was 2006, when she won the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Now, she’s in her 30th year, with a few niggling pains, and maybe less commitment. Azarenko, on the other hand, is an aggressive and hungry youngster, whose recent Brisbane triumph merely gave her a taste for more. Azarenko in three.