The first tennis major of the year gets underway on Monday in Melbourne. The 103rd edition of the Australian Open will see the world’s best compete in scorching heat inside Melbourne Park. Expect drama filled late night tennis sessions and plenty of upsets over the two weeks, and use our guide below to place your bets. Visit Sportsbet Australia to get a 25% bonus on all 4 leg multi-bets that come in. They also have a useful Tennis Predictor if the seeds below crash out early.
Mens Preview
Who won last year?
Something strange happened in mens tennis at the Australian Open last year. Namely, one of the big four didn’t win. Instead, Stan Wawrinka shocked Rafael Nadal in four sets. It was only the second time since 2005 that a player from the big four didn’t win a grand slam final.
Who are the seeds?
1. Novak Djokovic – The number one seed is also the overwhelming bookmakers favourite. The four time Australian Open champion at all tournaments, on all surfaces, and against every opponent. Djokovic is the most consistent of the big four, he won seven times in 2014, and after winning his third consecutive World Tour Finals title in London in November will be difficult to beat here. Odds = $2.00
2. Roger Federer – The timeless gentleman of the game is still one of its best. The 33-year-old may be without a grand slam win since Wimbledon in 2012, but his competitors will right him off at their peril. His 2014 featured a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, a Davis Cup win, and semi finals at the Australian and US Opens. He has also recently chalked up his 1000th career win. Odds = $6.50
3. Rafael Nadal – Nadal comes into 2015 short of fitness and short of match practice. That doesn’t necessarily rule him out of contention given he’s battled with knee injuries for much of his career, but it will take every inch of his significant mental ability to make the final rounds. Nadal started 2015 by being upset in the third round at the Qatar Open where he was defending his title. On the plus side, he did manage to win the doubles title with Juan Monaco. Odds = $8.00
4. Stan Wawrinka – With an Olympic gold medal and now an Australian Open in his trophy room, 2015 could be another bumper year for Wawrinka. The Melbourne courts are also a favourite of the aggressive Swiss veteran. With a bit of luck he’s a big chance to go back to back if he continues his hotmkaing approach. Odds = $13.00
5. Kei Nishikori – The highly aggressive baseline player from Japan enjoyed a breakout season in 2014. The peak of which was his runner up effort in the US Open, where he played some sensational tennis in the lead up to the final, but unfortunately let nerves effect him too much in the final where he was cast aside by Marin Čilić. Nishikori won four times in 2014, defeating quality players on the way including Wawrinka and Djokovic. Odds = $17.00
6. Andy Murray – The two time grand slam winner did not particularly enjoy 2014. Amongst major injury and form inconsistency, Murray made only one grand slam semi-final (Roland Garos). Potentially contributing to the disappointing results was his decision to replace coach Ivan Lendl with Amélie Mauresmo in June. However, Murray was able to play some better tennis towards the end of the season, making the ATP World Tour Finals and finding a way back up the world rankings. Odds = $11.00
Who is in form?
Federer, Wawrinka and David Ferrer have all had wins in early 2015. Nadal and Djokovic lost unexpectedly in Doha.
Who are we predicting?
Djokovic’s record in Melbourne is too good to overlook. We’re predicting him to take out the 2015 Australian Open from Andy Murray in the final.
Womens Preview
Who won last year?
Last year’s Open final was an affair featuring two surprising names. They were, 21st seed Dominika Cibulková and China’s 4th seed Li Na. As it transpired, Li Na was the winner in two sets. 2014 was Li’s final year on tour; she won’t be back to defend her title.
Who are the seeds?
1. Serena Williams – Serena on her day is far better than the other five names on the seeded player list below. Her dominant serve and power forehand are generally too much for her opponents. That said, 2014 wasn’t all that kind to her; a win at Flushing Meadows was the only time she made it past a grand slam quarter final. Odds = $3.75
2. Maria Sharapova – A win in a week ago will do her confidence the world of good and has seen her enlisted as one of the draws favourites. She also took home $195,000 for the win. The glamour girl of tennis is big chance to add to her 2008 Australian Open trophy. Odds = $5.00
3. Simona Halep – If 2014 was unkind to Maria Sharapova, it was generous to Halep. She made it to the top two ranked players in the world, made her first major, and debuted in the WTA finals debut. The diminutive Romanian is worth a punt. Odds = $8.00
4. Petra Kvitova – Winning Wimbledon is the highlight of Kvitova’s career thus far, but that doesn’t mean she’s a one year pony. Not at all. Her 2102, featured two semi-finals, a quarter final and a 4th round in the four majors, meaning she has plenty of experience at the business end of tournaments. Odds = $10.00
5. Ana Ivanovic – The Serbian has bounced around the top echelon of women’s tennis for nearly ten years. We say bounce because she has yo yo’ed up and down the rankings when confidence and form disappeared, sometimes as low as number 22. However, last years 4th round win against Serena Williams was as impressive a performance as you’re bound to see, so she may be able to feed off that and compete this week. Odds = $19.00
6. Agnieszka Radwanska – The Polish number 6th ranked player has been consistent over the past few years without being able to find a way to a grand slam final. After reaching number two in the world, her nation hoped she would become one of their sporting superstars in a similar manner to Robert Lewandowski and Marcin Gortat. A win at the Australian Open will achieve that. Odds = $21.00
Who is in form?
Venus Williams won the ASB Classic in Auckland, Simona Halep the Shenzhen Open, Maria Sharapova won the Brisbane International, and Petra Kvitova won in Sydney.
Who are we predicting?
Form isn’t always the best indicator in the women’s game. Conceivably, 15 players have a chance in the sweltering heat. Probability though tells us Serena and Sharapova will be there or thereabouts, and if we had to pick one we would go with Williams (that’s a way of hedging our bets on either of the sisters).
