The men’s draw took a backseat today as the top eight seeds in action, Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Stanislas Wawrinka all progressed to the quarter-finals in straight sets.  Tomorrow, the match of the day will come from the men’s side as Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will play each other in the most anticipated encounter of the fortnight so far.  It’s a huge match for both players and please vote in the poll below with your opinion.

1. Roger Federer v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Jo-Willy Tsonga

Neither has dropped a set at this year’s Australian Open and something will have to budge when Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga illuminate the Rod Laver Arena schedule on Monday night.  Federer has looked in fine form so far although that may have something to do with the calibre of opponents he has played.  He has yet to lose more than four games in one set, but hasn’t played anyone inside the top 75.  Tsonga has had a marginally tougher route.  This included a third round match with Gilles Simon, who had rather miraculously won back-to-back five setters with a dodgy ankle, if you believe everything in the media.  I watched the first set and a half of Tsonga-Simon and was distinctly unimpressed with Tsonga as his intensity was akin to a practice session.  He seemed to improve though as he came through comfortably, 7-6(5) 6-4 6-2.

Federer leads the head-to-head with Tsonga by 9 wins to 4; after Tsonga beat Federer at Wimbledon and in Canada back in 2011, the Swiss man won five straight matches.  However it was Tsonga who won their last match in straight sets on the clay courts of Roland Garros in 2013 on by far Tsonga’s weakest surface.  It is also worth noting that they played at last year’s Australian Open in a high quality five setter that Federer won.  Those of you have who have read my original preview for the men’s draw will know that I am backing Tsonga for the final.  I think the step up for Federer from Gabashvili to Tsonga will be a difficult one to adapt too.  Federer is an unpredictable players these days and I have had a feeling from the beginning of the tournament that Tsonga was going to do really well…

Prediction: Tsonga to beat Federer in 4 sets

ATP 4th Round AO Predictions

Rafael Nadal to beat Kei Nishikori in 3 sets

Grigor Dimitrov to beat Roberto Bautista-Agut in 5 sets *ON THE FENCE*

Andy Murray to beat Stephane Robert in 3 sets