The Scout: Australian Open Preview

Posted on January 17, 2020 | Posted by The Scout

Men’s Winner – Novak Djokovic @ $2.10*

The winner of seven Australian Open’s and the current defending champion is clearly the player to beat. Now 32, Novak seems to save his best tennis for Australia with an incredible record of 68 wins and just eight losses.

The world number two has started 2020 in great fashion, leading Serbia to victory in the ATP Cup. In this tournament he won all six of his singles matches including wins over Rafael Nadal (world #1) and Daniil Medvedev (world #4)

Novak withdrew from the lead up tournament in Adelaide to better prepare for the Australian Open, so expect him to be hitting his straps in the quarter finals and beyond.

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Daniil Medvedev Stage of Elimination – Semi Final @ $4.20*

If not one of the “big three” then world number four Daniil Medvedev looks the man most likely.

The 23 year old Russian had a breakout 2019, reaching six consecutive ATP finals and winning four of them.

Medvedev plays with energy, has a great defensive side to his game and owns one of the most potent serves in world tennis. The only concern has been the mental side to his game, but these issues look in most part (fingers crossed) to be behind him.

All going to plan, Medvedev’s first real test should come in the third round against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before a potential quarter final clash with Alexander Zverev.

Both of these look like good match ups for the Russian before what would be a mouth-watering clash with Rafael Nadal in the semis.

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Women’s Winner – Karolina Pliskova @ $12*

The current world number two is arguably the best current women’s player not to have a Grand Slam title to her name.

Her performances at the highest level have been frustrating but 2020 looks different under her new coach Danny Vallverdu.

Pliskova won the Brisbane International in the lead up, defeating defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka (world #3) and rising star Madison Keys (world #11).

At 6’2” the Czech has a devastating serve a range of powerful ground strokes that can end points quickly.

Pliskova reached the quarter finals in 2017 and 2018 and then the semis last year. The Australian Open conditions suit her game perfectly, and she looks primed (and great value) to break her Grand Slam duck in 2020.

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Madison Keys – Quarter 1 Winner @ $5.50*

Madison Keys is currently 11^th in the world but looks on the cusp of a major breakout. The American has started the year well, making the final of the Brisbane International, narrowly going down to Karolina Pliskova in three sets.

Keys might be the best pure ball hitter in all of women’s tennis. Her serve and ground strokes are elite and she is a genuine contender to win this tournament.

Some tough matches loom on this side of the draw. A clash with Petra Kvitova (world #8) is on the cards, but Keys has already beaten her this year, and I would back her to repeat the dose if they meet again.

The biggest hurdle might come in the quarter finals against world number one, Ash Barty. Overcoming Barty will be an almighty task, but Keys has all the tools required to progress to the semis, and beyond.

*Odds correct as at 2pm, 17th January 2020.

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