The first Grand Slam of the year is upon us as the world’s best battle it out to lift the Australian Open trophy. Novak Djokovic will be vying to beat current holder Rafael Nadal to win a 10th title in Melbourne, whilst the retirement of Ashleigh Barty means we are guaranteed a new women’s champion.
We’ve previewed the upcoming tournament and picked out our best betting tips for both the men’s and women’s draw.
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Australian Open: Tennis Betting Preview
Djokovic will be hoping to put last year’s controversy aside as he goes in search of a fourth Australian Open in five years and 10th in total, a record bettered only by Rafael Nadal’s French Open dominance. The two are locked in battle as the most decorated men’s players of all time, but it won’t be smooth sailing in the first major of the year.
The withdrawal of world number one Carlos Alcaraz leaves Nadal as the highest ranked player competing at the Open, followed by Norway’s Casper Ruud and Greece’s Stefano Tsitsipas. Last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev is widely regarded as the greatest threat to Djokovic’s title charge, but divisive figure Nick Kyrgios’ power and flamboyance leaves him as a fancied outside shot.
Women’s world number one Iga Swiatek is leading the odds to win a fourth Grand Slam. The 21-year-old had a breakthrough 2022, winning both the French and US Open. The bookies have her closest competition as Aryna Sabalenka, with world number two Ons Jabeur and Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on the outskirts of the top five favourites.
Emma Raducanu, 2021 US Open champion, is yet to be declared fit for the tournament after suffering a twisted ankle. The 20-year-old had a tough 2022 and will be hoping to kick off the new year with a bang in Melbourne.
Men’s Australian Open Odds and Betting Tips
Daniil Medvedev to win the Australian Open – 6.00
There simply isn’t any value in backing Djokovic, and Medvedev looks a close second. The Russian has a proven track record in Melbourne in recent years, reaching back-to-back finals, where he ultimately lost to Djokovic and Nadal.
Medvedev has also won four of his 12 meetings against Djokovic – a record better than most – including a 2021 US Open final victory. If anyone can topple the Serb’s Aussie Open dominance, it’s Medvedev.
Nick Kyrgios to win the Australian Open – 15.00
Now this would be quite some story – the controversial Kyrgios claiming the crown in front of a home crowd. His form is unpredictable to say the least, but reaching the Wimbledon final and winning gold in the Australian Open doubles means 2022 was comfortably his best year.
It’s also worth mentioning he is one of only three tennis players ever to beat all three of Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer. On his day, he can hang with the best.
Here are NetBet’s current top 10 men leading the tennis odds:
Novak Djokovic – 1.85
Daniil Medvedev – 6.00
Stefanos Tsitsipas – 12.00
Rafael Nadal – 12.00
Felix Auger Aliassime – 15.00
Nick Kyrgios – 15.00
Holger Rune – 21.00
Jannik Sinner – 21.00
Casper Ruud – 21.00
Matteo Berrettini – 25.00
Women’s Australian Open Odds and Betting Tips
Iga Swiatek to win the Australian Open – 2.75
Swiatek is currently the best female tennis player in the world. Should anyone have a chance of contesting the Pole, we would need to see significantly reduced performance levels from Swiatek, which seems unlikely given she finished 2022 with an incredible 67-9 record.
Jessica Pegula to win the Australian Open – 12.00
Pegula provides the biggest threat to Swiatek’s first major win down under. She lost in the 2022 quarter-final to eventual champion Barty, but went on to reach the quarter-finals in both the French and US Open. The world number three is very consistent and even beat Swiatek 2-0 (6-2, 6-2) in the United Cup semi-finals on the way to lifting the trophy just two weeks prior to the Australian Open.
Here are NetBet’s current top 10 women leading the tennis odds:
Iga Swiatek – 2.75
Aryna Sabalenka – 8.00
Caroline Garcia – 12.00
Jessica Pegula – 12.00
Cori Gauff – 12.00
Ons Jabeur – 12.00
Elena Rybakina – 21.00
Barbora Krejcikova – 21.00
Maria Sakkari – 21.00
Veronika Kudermetova – 31.00
Australian Open TV Schedule
The tournament gets underway Monday 16th January and runs for just under two weeks, with the men’s final taking place on Sunday 29th January. The schedule is as follows:
16th-17th – First Round
18th-19th – Second Round
20th-21st – Third Round
22nd-23rd – Fourth Round
24th-25th – Quarter-Finals
26th – Women’s Semi-Finals
27th – Men’s Semi-Finals
28th – Women’s Final
29th – Men’s Final
The Australian Open will be broadcast live on Eurosport, with the day session beginning at midnight UK time and the evening session commencing at 8am UK time (due to time difference).
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