My Prediction of the Australian Open

Congratulations to the Australian Open Quarterfinalists (as if they read this blog). But we've got ourselves a couple of surprises. Some big ones: no Americans or Australians in the quarterfinals. Australia is shut out of the singles matches despite having Samantha Stosur seeded at No. 5. American Venus Williams left with an injury and Andy Roddick once again disappoints as his career seems to be coming to a decline. No. 4 Robin Soderling was ousted in the 4th round by some Ukrainian whose name is way too long to spell (Alexandr Dolgopolov). Andrea Petkovic takes advantage of the injury to Venus Williams and wins her next game against Maria Sharapova. So the quarterfinalists are set, and stories abound, but here are my picks for the winners on the men's and women's side.

Men's semifinalists: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal
Murray essentially was given a semifinal match by Soderling's loss (as long as Murray keeps his composure). Nadal gets to face off against David Ferrer, which has typically gone Nadal's way (just too good to be beaten by someone not named Djokovic or Federer). Djokovic beats Tomas Berdych, to no one's surprise other than Berdych's. Federer beats fellow Swiss player and doubles partner Stanislas Wawrinka. These four are just too mentally and physically good to be beaten at this stage (other than Murray, who is the weakest of the four).

Women's semifinalists: Caroline Wozniacki, Na Li, Kim Clijsters, Petra Kvitova
Wozniacki is looking for her first Grand Slam title and hopes to solidify her number 1 status in the world by beating a probably tired Francesca Schiavone (after her record-breaking longest match). Na Li returns to the semifinals of the Australian Open in consecutive years by beating Petkovic. Clijsters continues her unbelievable run by topping the very vulnerable Agnieszka Radwanska (hopefully with her racket intact). Petra Kvitova beats Vera Zvonareva after a horrific meltdown in the third set by the number 2 seeded Russian. The women tennis players are typically more prone to meltdowns and inconsistent play (as shown by the carousel of number 1 players), but other than Zvonareva, I'm expecting pretty much the expected.

Women's finalists: Wozniacki, Clijsters
You can't bet against these women right now because they are just too good. Wozniacki and Clijsters breeze through their semifinal matches and face each other in what would be a good, but not great, three set match. Wozniacki takes home her first ever Grand Slam title by beating Clijsters, who is still looking for a title in a Grand Slam tournament not in the United States.
Winner: Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)

Men's finalists: Nadal, Djokovic
Djokovic ekes a win out against Federer in a five-set match, while Nadal overpowers the mentally weaker Andy Murray, requiring only three sets to oust the Scotsman. Nadal then takes on the still-tired Djokovic, and though he has been battling illness and fatigue throughout the tournament, Nadal does something that no one has done since Rod Laver in the 1960s and takes control of all four Grand Slam tournaments at once. Nadal wins in four sets (giving him a 20-1 record in sets this tournament).
Winner: Rafael Nadal (ESP)

Agree, disagree? Call me at 1-800-COMMENT (or just comment without calling that probably already taken number).

Update: I was almost entirely right on the women's side. Zvonareva had the match under control for its entirety. So semifinals will be Zvonareva v. Clijsters and Wozniacki v. Li. I was also almost entirely right on the men's side, though my championship pick was downed in three sets. So semifinals will be Federer v. Djokovic and Murray v. Ferrer. Back to women's tennis where Na Li will be the first Chinese tennis player in a Grand Slam final and she will face Kim Clijsters. And in men's tennis, you have Djokovic v. Murray. Men's and women's winners are Novak Djokovic and Kim Clijsters.