ATP columnist Nick Nemeroff discusses each of the four men’s matches as the remaining Australian Open quarterfinal lineups take shape.

Roger Federer vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

This match is certainly the pick of the fourth-round matches to be contested in Melbourne, considering these two have never squared before the quarterfinals of any major.

Following the French Open quarterfinal that Tsonga and Federer played last year, neither found success at Wimbledon or the US Open. Tsonga was forced to retire two sets to one down against Ernests Gulbis in their second round Wimbledon match due to a knee injury, which ultimately prevented the Frenchman from playing the US Open. Federer was shocked by Sergiy Stakhovsky in the second round of Wimbledon and was then taken out by Tommy Robredo in the round of 16 in New York.

While reaching the quarterfinals of a major is not a foreign experience for either player, a victory would mean a lot for both. Federer leads the head-to-head 9-4 and has won five out of their last six hard-court matches, including a five-set victory in the Australian Open quarterfinals last year. Tsonga won their most recent meeting, the aforementioned quarterfinal match at last year’s French Open. Federer got off to a quick start before being overpowered by the Frenchman in straight sets.

There are two big ifs in this match. If Federer isn’t able to stabilize and control the titanic strikes that Tsonga will be delivering into his backhand side, he will struggle to prevent Tsonga from controlling the middle of the court. Meanwhile, if Tsonga doesn’t serve well and also exploit the Federer chip backhand return, he will reduce his chances of being able to dictate the points and move his 32-year-old opponent around the court.

The backhand-to-backhand exchanges will be particularly intriguing in this match. With it being the weaker side of both players, especially Tsonga, these exchanges will be prove vital in determining the winner.

Prediction: Tsonga in four sets

Rafael Nadal vs. Kei Nishikori

For the second consecutive match, Kei Nishikori will be facing a lefty who loves ripping topspin. But the career of his fourth-round opponent, Rafael Nadal, is just a bit more decorated than the career of his third-round opponent, Donald Young.

The Australian Open is the only major in which Nishikori has progressed past the fourth round. Nadal has not made it past the quarterfinals in Melbourne since he won the tournament back in 2009. Nishikori and Nadal come into their match having fashioned together dominating performances in their round matches. Donald Young and Gael Monfils, the third-round opponents of Nishikori and Nadal respectively, were each only able to manage to win six games in three sets.

Nadal has owned Japan’s highest-ranked player and has only lost one set in the five matches they have played. Their last match came in the fourth round of last year’s French Open, which Nadal won in straight sets.

Like almost anyone else, Nishikori matches up poorly against Nadal as evidenced by the one-sided nature of their previous matches. Nishikori thrives upon making his opponent hit that one extra shot. That strategy won’t bother Nadal, who clearly has the shot-making ability to conquer Nishikori.

Nishikori isn’t a one-trick pony and can play effective offense, but he doesn’t play the type of offense that will beat Nadal. He typically only takes the initiative on shorter balls, balls that Nadal rarely provides his opponents. Nishikori doesn’t possess the overwhelming power where he can strike winners from around the baseline, like a Robin Soderling or Lukas Rosol.

Nadal has looked excellent throughout this tournament, and there’s really no reason to believe his fortunes will change.

Prediction: Nadal in three sets

Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Grigor Dimitrov

This is far and away the biggest match of each man’s careers. Prior to this tournament, Bautista-Agut had never reached the third round of any major, and Dimitrov had never been past the third round of any major.

Both men have been giant killers in a literal and figurative sense. Bautista-Agut scored the upset of the tournament thus far on the men’s side with his five-set victory over Juan Martin Del Potro, a match that saw him hit 72 winners.

Dimitrov cemented his first fourth-round appearance at a major with a highly entertaining four-set victory over fellow young gun Milos Raonic. Dimitrov played superb tennis, hitting 49 winners to only 13 unforced errors. He did well to break Raonic’s serve in the first and third sets.

Bautista-Agut and Dimitrov have only played one time. This match took place last fall in Beijing and was won by Bautista-Agut in straight sets.

The x-factor in this match should be Dimitrov’s serve. Bautista-Agut and Dimitrov are both forceful ball strikers, move well, and don’t have any gaping weaknesses. With that said, Dimitrov has a much better serve and should find himself winning more free points on serve than Bautista-Agut.  Thus, Bautista-Agut should feel much more pressure on serve in this match.

With a spot on the quarterfinals on the line, the nerve of both men will be tested. But both have proven their capacity to stay calm and approach the biggest points like any other, which makes this match a potential blockbuster battle.

Prediction: Dimitrov in five sets

Stephane Robert vs. Andy Murray

Andy Murray’s draw has been kind to him throughout the first three rounds. His fourth opponent, lucky loser Stephane Robert, is only the ninth lucky loser to ever reach the fourth round of any major. Ranked 119th in the word, the 33-year-old Frenchman had never won a second-round match at a major in his entire career, let alone reach the fourth round.

Predictably, Murray and Robert have never played. Robert has only beaten a top-10 player once in his career. This was at the 2011 French Open, when he stunned Tomas Berdych in the second round in five sets after coming back from two sets to love down. Murray has not lost a set this entire tournament, and Robert has only lost one.

Robert, a steady player with no real weapons, will need major help from Murray if he wants to get through this obstacle. Murray will have to play an error-ridden match because there is virtually no chance of Robert hitting through him.

Prediction: Murray in three sets