Australian Open 2012 live stream

The giants of modern tennis have come into their own at the halfway mark of Australian Open 2010.

Ivo Karlovic, a 208cm Croat with a win over Roger Federer in his CV, stands in the path of defending champion Rafael Nadal, while American John Isner, all of 206cm, takes on fifth seed Andy Murray of Scotland.

Other tall timber in the men’s field includes US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro and Croatia’s 14th seed Marin Cilic, who clash today. Both measure 198cm.

Among the tall women in action are No. 2 seed Dinara Safina, fellow Russian Nadia Petrova, who eliminated popular favourite Kim Clijsters, and Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium. They are all about 183 cm, six feet in the old scale.

Extremely tall players usually hold an advantage in reach and service power, but are not as quick and agile as their shorter rivals. An exception to the rule is the diminutive Justine Henin, who has developed a serve that belies her modest height. Today, her opponent, Wickmayer, will tower over her.

Nadal says tall players like Karlovic are always difficult because a match is decided in just a few points. “So the thing is, be very concentrated with my serve all the time and try to convert the small opportunities I can have on the return.”

Easier said than done.

Trengove’s Fearless Forecasts

Nadal (2) v Karlovic
Karlovic’s serve flashes like lightning, and Rafa knows he has to wait patiently for a brief break in the clouds. Nadal in four.

Del Potro (4) v Cilic
They have similar baseline styles, but del Potro looks weary and may be still nursing a wrist injury. Cilic in five.

Murray (5) v Isner (33)
The American colossus is celebrating his recent triumph in Auckland. This, though, is a different league. Murray in straight.

Roddick (7) v Gonzalez
Roddick, a gritty competitor, has won eight of his previous 11 matches with the flashy Chilean. He’s in good form and confident, and rarely has he been so determined. Roddick in five.

Safina (2) v Kirilenko
They both hail from Moscow, but have met only twice, Safina winning each time. Kirilenko, at 22 a year younger, and the conqueror of Sharapova last Monday, has moved up a gear. Kirilenko in three.

Kuznetsova (3) v Petrova (19)
The inconsistent Petrova always threatens to give the top women an anxiety attack, as she did against Clijsters. In the same form, she has the ability and experience to beat the French Open champ. Petrova in three.

A.Bondarenko (31) v Zheng
Both caused impressive upsets in the third round. Zheng in three.

Henin v Wickmayer
With Clijsters and Jankovic out of the way, Henin can make the final. That is, if she isn’t upstaged by the young Belgian qualifier, who already owns three titles. Henin in straight.