The editors of TENNIS.com preview all eight Australian Open quarterfinals.
What Federer needs to do to win:
When these two met in the 2009 U.S. Open final, del Potro was able to use his height and power to make the court on Federer’s side impossibly large. Federer needs to play from further inside the court whenever possible and dictate a brisk pace that will keep del Potro back on his heels—and unable to load up and hit those dangerous, deep drives.
What del Potro needs to do to win:
It may sound simplistic, but del Potro needs to exploit Federer’s return game, which isn’t as strong as his hold game. If the Tower of Tandil can get a high percentage of first serves in and take charge of the rallies with the first swing off the return, he could dictate the way he did in New York. As for his own return games, del Potro must keep Federer from taking charge of rallies by taking big cuts.
The Pick:
Federer in four sets. Del Potro missed almost the entire 2010 season with a bad wrist that required surgery, and 2011 was a self-described comeback year in which he was careful not set unrealistic goals. The way he tailed off in the summer last year was disappointing, and while he’s off to a great start in Melbourne, I don’t think he’s ready to win this major.
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