The editors of TENNIS.com preview all eight Australian Open quarterfinals.
What Murray must do to win:
While Nishikori was sweating his way, in high heat, through a five-set upset of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Monday, Murray was off the court in two quick sets after his opponent retired. That means Murray can afford to be patient and engage in long rallies, knowing that he has the physical edge. There’s no need for the normally passive Murray to get out of his comfort zone and try to hit big.
What Nishikori must do to win:
The first Japanese quarterfinalist here in 80 years is in a bind. He should probably, after his effort on Monday, look to shorten the points. But that can be disastrous against Murray, who feeds on his opponents’ impatience and inconsistency. Nishikori, who lost badly to Murray last fall in their only meeting, must play like he has nothing to lose, and try to find the balance between aggression and margin.
The Pick:
Murray in three sets. The Scot is on something of a roll with new coach Ivan Lendl, and has looked very sharp in his last three matches. He’s hitting his forehand with a little more authority, but he should be fine with the old one. Nishikori is in his first Slam quarterfinal, and may be content with that; for Murray, who reached the semis of all four majors last year, a loss in this round would be a failure. I don’t think he’s going to let that happen.
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