Australian Open: Federer, Murray, Djokovic & Ferrer reach Semi Finals

Contributed by Emma Booth.
Regional Director, USA Sport Group.

So my passion for the underdog was my downfall again, but it could have been all very different if Janko Tipsarevic hadn’t retired through injury, undoing my predictions once more. I was hoping for more than just the Nos. 1 through 4 seeds to reach a rather predictable semi-final match up. But I guess they are the top four in the world for a reason. Andy Murray will face Roger Federer in a semi final for the umpteenth time, and Novak Djokovic will have to squeeze past David Ferrer to reach the Australian Open final for a fourth time.

Australian Open: Sharapova, Azarenka, Stephens & Li Na reach Semi Final

Contributed by Emma Booth.
Regional Director, USA Sport Group.

So my predictions for the semis would have gone three-quarters of the way to plan had Serena Williams not been injured in her loss to 19-year-old Sloane Stephens. My Angelique Kerber prediction was more in hope of an upset than anything, but after watching Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Sloane Stephens and Li Na play, they undoubtedly deserved their places in the final four. So here comes the tricky part. Who will win? These are my predictions (or what some may call “educated guesses”).

Predicting the Final Four of the Australian Open: The Men

Contributed by Emma Booth.
Regional Director, USA Sport Group.

We’re starting to get to the most interesting section of the Australian Open; the deadwood has dropped out, and the contenders have been showing their tennis prowess. But because I am usually very bad at making predictions before a tournament starts, I have refrained from claiming I could work out who may make the semi-finals down under. However with the Round 3 draw now set, and more of a grasp of player’s form and fitness, here are my predictions for the men.

Novak Djokovic has a fairly easy 3rd Round match against 33-year-old Radek Stepanek. The Czech struggled in his first round match, with the game going to 5 sets, but I don’t think he will pose too much of a problem for Novak. This means a 4th Round meeting with either Sam Querrey or Stanislas Wawrinka – and I think the American Querrey will be Djokovic’s opposition. But again, Novak should steam through that round easily, setting up a probable quarter-final with Tomas Berdych, which he will again, win.

Predicting the Final Four of the Australian Open: The Women

Contributed by Emma Booth.
Regional Director, USA Sport Group.

We’re starting to get to the most interesting section of the Australian Open; the deadwood has dropped out, and the contenders have been showing their tennis prowess. But because I am usually very bad at making predictions before a tournament starts, I have refrained from claiming I could work out who may make the semi-finals down under. However with the Round 3 draw now set, and more of a grasp of player’s form and fitness, here are my predictions for the women.

This women’s draw is looking very interesting indeed, with the second half of the draw a lot more competitive than the first. In the top block, the world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka is currently looking to power through to Round 4 with a match up against USA’s Jamie Hampton. Azarenka should stroll through to meet (and probably defeat) Roberta Vinci from Italy, where she will then face 10th seed Caroline Wozniacki in the quarter-finals. This should be a very interesting match, and will be one of the toughest to call. I personally would like to see the Dane reach the semi-finals, but with Azarenka having had such a strong year last year, she looks likely to continue her purple patch and set up a semi-final against Serena Williams. That is, if the American manages to reach that far. And the way she is playing, she should – dropping just 2 games in her first two matches.

Top 10 Sporting Events over the Holidays

Contributed by Emma Booth.
Regional Director, USA Sport Group.

December is now upon us, and as families prepare to gather around tables laden with turkey, cranberries and chocolate, there are some (like me) who are looking forward to the sporting spectacles that take place over the holiday season.

Whatever your sport, whatever your passion, here is a list of the top ten events to keep your eye out for. So buy a ticket, settle down in front of the TV or set your DVR to record. Enjoy!