2018 Australian Open Preview

Read through our best bets for the 2018 Australian Open. We’ll provide a betting preview of the Men’s draw, Women’s draw and Australian players.

2018 Australian Open Men’s Winner

The field has really opened up for Roger Federer this year as he looks to defend his title. Andy Murray is already out injured and Nadal, Djokovic and Wawrinka are struggling with injuries. It’s hard to forget the epic five-set final between Federer and Nadal last year in the Australian Open. But in 2018, Federer should enjoy an easier run. He’s kicked off the hard-court season with four straight wins and victory at the Hopman Cup. Last season in 38 matches, he dropped just 4 matches and it’s hard to see the competition beating him again.

Last year, Novak Djokovic was out in the second round and hasn’t competed in the last two slams. A knee injury is again concerning for Rafael Nadal and will see how he competes at the Kooyong Classic before betting against him. The same can be said for Djokovic.

Some of the outsiders to watch are Juan Martin Del Potro and Kevin Anderson.

Juan Martin Del Potro made the semi-finals at the US Open (which included defeating Federer) and hard-court is arguably his best surface.

Kevin Anderson would be the best outsider in the $50-$81 range considering he made the US Open final last year.

Prediction

In potentially his last ever Australian Open, Roger Federer is the best bet to win again in 2018.
Best Bet: Roger Federer ($2.75)

2018 Australian Open Women’s Winner

The Women’s draw is up for grabs this year as Serena Williams is out. The current favourite is Karolina Pliskova. She made the Quarters last season and also finished in the Quarters at the US Open. However, she’s a bit overpriced considering she hasn’t won a Grand Slam yet.

Garbine Muguruza made the Quarters here last season for the first time in her career. She is 13-5 in Melbourne. However, retiring with cramps in Brisbane is a concern. Melbourne’s weather can be brutal and that’s something to watch in her early matches.

Simona Halep is a bit overpriced as well as she lost in the first round at both hard-court slams last season. She is world number 1, so if she can push through the early stages, she’s one to watch.

In the value markets Johanna Konta, Coco Vandegehe and Venus Williams are the players to watch.

Johanna Konta is 9-2 at the Australian Open in her career. She made the Semi-Finals in 2016 and the Quarters in 2017. She’s a bit hit or miss in the early stages so that explains the $16 price tag. She also retired with a hip injury in Brisbane.

USA’s CoCo Vandeweghe had a breakout season in 2017. She made the Semi-Finals here and at the US Open. She seems to be hitting her prime and could cause a few upsets.

The veteran Venus Williams is back. She’s played here since 1998 and has a 51-17 record. $21 is under the odds for her, especially since her sister is out.

Prediction

In the end, the Women’s draw can be tough to pick as games are much closer and the early rounds are full of upsets. So the player with arguably the best record in Melbourne is Venus Williams. She made the final last year and the veterans are generally safe bets at a Grand Slam. So we’re taking her at the price of $21.
Best Bet: Venus Williams ($21)

How will the Aussies fare?

Nick Kyrgios warmed up for the Australian Open with his first win on Aussie soil at the Brisbane International. It’s great to see him in form and he’ll entertain the Melbourne crowd. However, his knee was strapped in Brisbane and could be a concern as he plays throughout the tournament.

We should enjoy watching Daria Gavrilova again this season. She made the fourth round last year and won her first three matches via three sets. We can’t see her winning but the fourth round and more is in reach. Ash Barty had an improved 2017, especially on hard-court as she went 28/8. She made the third round last year and will likely finish around that mark. She’s lost in the first round at Sydney and Brisbane this season, so her form isn’t great.

The Contenders

Andy Murray:

Odds $2.45
Murray had an outstanding 2016. He made the Australian Open final while his impending wife was on the other side of the world. He won Wimbledon and finished the year as the number one player in the world. He produces match winning shots, but his strength is his defence and court coverage. He was prone to losing focus during games and moving the battle from the court to his head, however with age, experience and fatherhood those moments are less common now. He seems a lock for the semi-finals and then he is only two wins away.

Novak Djokovic:

Odds $2.60
Djokovic plays his best tennis at Melbourne Park and has won 5 of the last 6 Australian Opens. He was almost unbeatable for eighteen months, but early exits at Wimbledon and the Olympics saw his invincibility wane. He then had an uneasy split with his coach Boris Becker and ended the year as world number two. His game, accuracy and defensive skills are elite. Expect him to be at the pointy end of the tournament and challenging for his seventh Australia Open.

Stan Wawrinka:

Odds $12.00
This Swiss veteran can hit winners from deep in the baseline. His forehand is strong and his backhand is lethal. He stopped Djokovic’s, Nadal’s, Federer’s and Murray’s dominance by winning the 2014 Australian Open. He then won the 2015 French Open and the last Grand Slam of 2016, the US Open. He might not have the finesse of Djokovic or Federer, but he is a dangerous player. He is a chance as his best is good enough.

Rafael Nadal:

Odds $13.00
Nadal has won 14 Grand Slams, including the 2009 Australian Open. His game is built on tenacity, speed and a vicious forehand. Unfortunately, his high-energy game and heavy training regime has taken a toll as his last few years have been hampered by injury. For all of Nadal’s success he has only won one Grand Slam away from clay since 2010. The odds are against him, but Nadal never goes down without a fight.

Milos Raonic:

Odds $17.00
The big serving hard hitting Canadian is entering his prime. He is 26 years old, world number three and made his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon last year. He also impressed at last year’s Australian Open by making the semi-final. His serve is as good as anyone in the game and he backs it up with a solid forehand. His time is coming, but Murray and Djokovic stand in his way.

Roger Federer:

Odds $17.00
The Grand Slam record holder returns to Australia for another campaign. His grace, humility, skill and popularity is undeniable, but the facts are Federer is 35 years old, is coming off an extended break due to knee surgery, has not played a five-set match since July and has not won a Grand Slam since 2012. It is testament to his character, ability and motivation that he is still considered a possibility considering the demands on modern players.

The Roughie

Grigor Dimitrov:

Odds $34.00
The Bulgarian was widely tipped as a potential Grand Slam winner at a young age. His game grew with experience on the tour and in 2014 he peaked at world number eight, reached the Wimbledon semi-final and was a quarter finalist at the Australian Open. His game has stagnated since then, but talent doesn’t disappear. If he can get on a roll and a few things fall his way, the world number 15 might live up to early expectations.

The Australians

Nick Kyrgios:

Odds $34.00
A 19-year-old Kyrgios captured a nation in 2014 when he defeated world number one Nadal and made the quarter final at Wimbledon. In the years since Kyrgios has battled the fame and scrutiny associated with professional sport. He has an abundance of talent and enjoys the centre stage before his home crowd. His mentality and at times application remains questionable. His aim is to get to week two and then challenge himself against the best players in the world.

Bernard Tomic:

Odds $151.00
Like Kyrgios, Tomic shot to prominence at a young age and has been plagued by off-court troubles. The other similarity to Kyrgios is he can play. Tomic’s technique is unconventional. He has a flat swing and doesn’t employ a lot of dip and top spin on his shots. His height helps him with his ground strokes. A quarter final appearance would be a good result considering he has only made one Grand Slam quarter final in his career.

For the latest Australian Open market, click here.

Click here for the full Australian Open Men’s Draw.

2017 Australian Open Women’s Preview

2017 Australian Open Women’s Preview. Serena Williams has enjoyed the Australian Open winning 6 titles. She is hoping to add to that tally and move one away from Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slams. To do so she will have to overcome rising star Garbine Muguruza, crowd favourite Daria Gavrilova and world number one and defending champion Angelique Kerber. Can she do it?

The Contenders

Serena Williams: Odds $3.80

Williams is the best player of her generation and a destined hall of famer. At 35 she still intimidates opponents with her strength and power. Her other great assert is her competitiveness. She despises losing. She only won one Grand Slam last year, but did make three finals. The younger Williams sisters has won 6 Australian Opens, but only one since 2011. The former world number 1 is still a force and as good as chance as any to win the tournament.

Angelique Kerber:

Odds $4.00
Kerber announced herself at last year’s Australian Open by upsetting Serena Williams in the final. She backed it up with a US Open trophy and a runners-up plate at Wimbledon. She is Williams’ greatest threat and unlike many female competitors she is not afraid of her. Kerber’s all round game should see her go deep into the tournament.

Simona Halep:

Odds $8.00
It was a steady climb for Halep on the WTA circuit. She won her first title in 2013, made her first Grand Slam final in 2014 and reached world number two. Her career hit a slight hurdle last year with a first round exit at the Australian Open. Now 25, Halep has the physical attributes and tennis smarts to atone for last year. Her strength is her hitting accuracy, however beating Williams or Kerber requires more.

Garbine Muguruza:

Odds $8.00
The 23-year-old became a Grand Slam winner last year. She was victorious at the French Open, which is the Spaniard’s preferred surface. Unfortunately, she followed that up with second round exits at Wimbledon and the US Open. Muguruza attacks the court and goes for her shots, which makes her dangerous but also vulnerable. Consistency remains her concern.

Karolina Pliskova:

Odds $8.00
Pliskova was a top ranked player for a couple of years, but only impacted Grand Slams at last year’s US Open. She beat Serena Williams in the semi-final before losing to Kerber in three sets in the final. Since then her form has been okay. Her height and power is her strength. Whether she is consistent enough to go all the way at the Australian Open remains to be seen.

The Roughie

Johanna Konta:

Odds $26.00
Konta was born in Australia, but represents England after moving during her youth. She has developed her game and made the semi-final at last year’s Australian Open. The world number 10 has made the last two US Open quarter finals and cracked the top ten near the end of last year. She enjoys the hardcourt and is at the right age, 25. Konta has never played Serena Williams and lost both her encounters against Kerber in straight sets.

The Australians

Sam Stosur:

Odds $101.00
For years the nation’s hopes were lugged upon Stosur’s shoulders. The unassuming Queenslander did not respond as she would have liked and underperformed at the Australian Open. With the arrival of Gavrilova and the focus on Kyrgios and Tomic, hopefully Stosur can concentrate on her game and reduce the unforced errors that pop up during Australian Open time. Her physical preparation is always outstanding and she is a true professional. Hopefully she is still around in the second week.

Daria Gavrilova:

Odds $151.00
‘Dasha’ represents everything the Australian sporting public cherishes in sportspeople; an underdog that never give ups. She displayed her character at last year’s Australian Open when she made the fourth round and she will be hoping to do the same again. The nuggetty Aussie has lifted her world ranking into the twenties, so it is a realistic aim.

For the latest Australian Open odds, click here.

Click here to see the full 2017 Australian Open Women’s draw.