Here we take a look at the 2011 Australian Open predictions in Melbourne.

Quarter One of the Australian Open 2011

It would seems that Rafael Nadal, currently raking 1st in the world, has a pretty easy path cut out to the semi-finals. The first quarter will be brimming with Spanish players that he has easily beaten in the past, including Lopez and Ferrer, as well as players that he should have a relatively easy time with in the first few matches such as Cilic and Youzhny.

A possible third round match against Marin Cilic may be a difficult one for him to grasp, but it’s unlikely that Rafa will trip up before he gets to the final four. Nadal is fevoured to be the semi finalist from this quarter.

Quarter Two of the Australian Open 2011

Andy Murray has luckily been placed in Robin Soderling’s quarter. Luckily, because he could quite easily have been placed with the top players such as Federer, Nadal and Djokovic and if he had, Murray would have had a very tough time. Although Soderling triumphed over Murray to get his 4th place ranking, it’s likely that Murray will fight back and might just get his victory here.

Murray’s path seems quite clear, with the highest player that he is likely to face being Jurgen Melzer, because Baghdatis and Del Potro are both currently injured and so not likely to be playing at their best. Robin Soderling on the other hand does not seem to have such an easy road ahead. He is likely to struggle against Tsonga and Gulbis, and it’s unlikely that he’ll make it through. The prediction is that Murray will be the semi finalist of the second quarter.

Quarter Three of the Australian Open 2011

This should be an interesting quarter. Tomas Berdych is likely to be knocked out here easily, with Nikolay Davydenko, Janko Tipsarevic and Richard Gasquet as his rivals. Novak Djokovic should have an easy time here, and is the favourite for a victory in this quarter. He is the strongest player in this quarter and shouldn’t have any trouble.

Quarter Four of the Australian Open 2011

Enter Federer. Currently at the number 2 spot, but this may be very interesting indeed. If Federer goes up against Gilles Simon it might be a tough match for him. Federer, so far, has played Simon twice, and twice he has lost. Perhaps this time he’ll defeat the French champion?

Also in this quarter we’ll see Gael Monfils and Andy Roddick, which would be an exciting match if the two of them are up against one another. Roddick has had some very disappointing games in recent times in the UK and USA, but perhaps the worm will turn.

The favourite in quarter four for a place in the semi finals, though, is of course Federer.

Semi Finals and Finals of the Australian Open 2011

So, it’s predicted that the four semi finalists will be Murray, Nadal, Djokovic and Federer. Now this is tough, because it really depends on who is up against who, but it’s been predicted that Nadal will play Murray, and Federer will be up against Djokovic. No doubt, Nadal will win whether he is against Murray or Djokovic. If Federer is up against Djokovic, Djokovic is favoured to win. That would leave Nadal and Djokovic in the finals together, and if that’s the case it’s going to be a real nail biter. But surpisingly, the favourite to win here is Djokovic.