Tennis fans, gear yourself up for another epic year of Grand Slam action–starting with the eagerly anticipated Australian Open in Melbourne during the middle and latter stages of January. Roger Federer was crowned men’s champion in 2017 after defeating familiar foe Rafael Nadal in five sets, and the Swiss star–now a winner of a record 19 major titles–will be in the mix to go on and lift the famous trophy next month.
"It's (2017) been a massive year – perhaps my favourite! If 2018 is half as successful, then I'll be happy." – @rogerfederer #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/S1WiL6bVtU
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) December 14, 2017
If you’re going to be looking at betting on this festival while you follow it, then give the tips for tennis matches a look on Oddschanger. Checking their dedicated tennis page out during big tournaments can prove extremely valuable to even the most experienced punter.
Men’s tennis is now more competitive than it has ever been and there are a handful of elite names who could challenge for glory in the first Grand Slam event of the calendar year. The likes of Nadal, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic will all be desperate to stop Federer in his latest bid to secure a 20th Grand Slam crown. Meanwhile, new kid on the block Alexander Zverev will be quietly confident of displacing his older and more experienced rivals.
Federer is still the one to beat
Currently ranked No. 2 in the world, Federer continues to turn back the clock. At 36 years old and arguably the greatest male tennis player of all-time, he should be in his twilight years of his career. But Federer has shown time and time again that he is more than capable of holding his own against his younger opponents.
As of right now, Federer has won a staggering 19 Grand Slam titles and No. 20 may be just around the corner. Capturing another Australian Open title won’t be easy despite his incredible winning percentage in Melbourne. Federer has won 87 percent of his Grand Slam matches at this event and that ratio could rise even further if he finds his best form ahead of the 2018 competition.
Zverev destined for Grand Slam success in the future
Zverev is almost certainly a future Grand Slam champion. The German is playing at a level well above his age and experience. He may be just 20 years old, but the world No. 4 is on the road to greatness–and he knows it. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a true tennis prodigy in action. If this is his tear to shine, though, Zverev will have to fare better in majors–including at the Australian Open (lost in the third round in 2017).
One interesting statistic of note is that Zverev has an excellent record against Federer. On grass Federer has been the better player, but Zverev got the best of Federer on the hard courts of Montreal this past summer. Yes, he is young and still very raw but he can take his own game to the next level in 2018 with a surge to the latter stages of the Australian Open.
Don’t discount Djokovic despite disappointing 2017
Last season quickly turned into something to forget for Djokovic. He failed to overcome a series of niggling injury issues and was eventually ruled out for the final few months of the season. Now, he is back and ready to challenge for the biggest prizes on offer. Can he get back to his brilliant best? Only time will tell….
The Serb was ranked No. 1 in the world for well over a year, but Djokovic’s struggles in 2017 were well-documented and he has now slipped down to 12th in the official ATP rankings. Despite his fall from grace, Djokovic is valued at 4/1 to win the Australian Open with most bookmakers available via Oddshecker. Punters may want to scour the promotions and offers before betting on the inconsistent 30-year-old.
Grigor Dimitrov has been solid in recent months
At 26 years old, Dimitrov is approaching his prime and he will be tough to stop on what is arguably his best surface. Having reached the semifinals of this event in 2017, the Bulgarian may be able to go two steps farther in 2018 as he looks to prove his worth as one of tennis’ modern greats. Do not write him off just yet; he is well worth considering for Grand Slam glory.
Dimitrov beats Sock to progress to the final
History beckons…Grigor Dimitrov will face David Goffin in the 2017 #NittoATPFinals final after beating Jack Sock 4-6 6-0 6-3.
Posted by Tennis TV on Saturday, November 18, 2017
Nadal: the one to oust Federer?
The “King of Clay” is about so much more than Roland Garros. Personality wise, Nadal is able to match Federer stride for stride and he is one of tennis’ most likable characters. His own record at the Australian Open isn’t outstanding, but he did push to the brink of defeat in 2017 and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see this one go in his favor.
Now considered the best player on the planet in the official rankings, Nadal can cement his status alongside Federer as the top two men to have ever graced the sport. With Federer favored and Nadal a general 3/1 shot to go on and win Down Under, there isn’t much between the two all-time greats. Most bookmakers are struggling to split these two legends of the game.
Australian Open Prediction
It may see a little clichéd to look at Federer and Nadal, but nobody else really stands out too much at this moment in time. Although Zverev is a future champion and possesses the skill-set to succeed, backing the youngster so soon may be foolish. Neutrals want another titanic clash between two of the greatest players ever to have lived and we could be set for another installment in the classic Federer-Nadal rivalry.
[polldaddy poll=9885985]
who ya got?
Lol Ricky!…Must u ask?Rrrafa of coz!!
Great chance for Zverev and Dimitrov.
When the best are not at their best, Federer will win.
#RememberHerbert
I disagree
I’ve got Fed then next in line is Rafa Novak Dimitrov and dark horse for me is Goffin or Stan. I still don’t trust Zverev in slams yet. We’ll see if he changes my mind bout that.
Got to like THE GOAT, but ZV could be ready. Rafa will make the quarters…maybe.
ZV is not ready to take down Fed in BO5.
As far as THE GOAT is concerned, depends on his knees whether he makes it past the quarters or not. I have my doubts which is why I’ve picked Fed for the second year running. Courts will be kept historically slick again to give him best chances to hit 20 (not to mention below averaged ranked players for the first couple of rounds and evening matches a la 2017). Last year Fed played the No. 300 and 200 ranked players in first two rounds, compared to Nos 36/49 for Rafa, 40/117 for Nole, 30/34 for Wawrinka and 95/152 for Murray.
All completely random of course.
Agree with you Hawkeye. Zverev’s yet to prove himself at Slams,didn’t reach a QF until now,let alone beating an ATG in best of five.
He has the mental strength,for sure,but there’s a big room for him to improve in the physical department and on his second serve,I don’t find it that great.
If the surface gets back to 2015 speed,I consider that it could be wide open and many players could step up to the plate,causing big upsets. If it’s similar to last year conditions,then Fed will be in the pole position to win it all. It would be interesting to see a Dimitrov-Fed match there,to see if Dimi finally has what it takes to turn the tables on Fed or if he folds again. I don’t really want to think about the draws being rigged,that will be a real shame for the sport.
Look at US Open draw though. Fed got in the section with Verdasco, Lopez, Kyrgios, Del Po.
Verdasco and Lopez? Seriously?
What are their combined records vs Big 4?
Combined record vs Fed in particular – 0-19! That says it all.
I’m just saying that’s easier than the path Nadal had.
Harder than the path*
Ive no clue who will win. Federer’s game best suited to the fast conditions, but to win back to back titles at his age seems almost impossible even for him.
Not with favouritism and modern day science.
#RememberScovilleJenkims
Ricky, “Now considered the best player on the planet in the official rankings, Nadal ………….”
Isn’t there only one ranking? Where is the unofficial ranking on which someone other than Nadal is the current #1?
nadline10 AT 3:32 PM,
Rafa is World #1 in the REAL tennis world, but Fedfans have their own alternate universe…
World #1 means best player in the ATP over the past year. Doesn’t really say who’s best at the moment, or who will win AO. Gotta play the matches to find that out.
We do know a few things. 1) Rafa’s knees aren’t the best in the world. 2) Roger’s back is not the bitw 3) Andy’s hip is not… 4) Djoker’s elbow is not…5) Raonic seems rather rusty and that’s being kind.
Who said anything about the current #1 winning the AO?
Ramara, AT 8:45 PM;
I commented on nadline10’s (AT 3:32 PM) post.
????
In my opinion, it’s wide open. There are many variables and until I see Rafa play I have no idea how his knee is holding up. If Djoker wasn’t fit to play AD and Doha how on earth could he be a likely winner of the AO?
As for the certainty that Sasha is definitely a future slam champion – based on what? There are quite a lot of great players in his age group so nothing should be taken for granted. Sasha did well last year but he has to make SFs and finals consistently to be taken seriously as a future slam champion and #1.
None of the young guns are ready imo. They’re too one dimensional; watched Khachanov vs Fed in Hopman Cup; he just hit as hard as possible, stayed at the baseline almost all the time, didn’t know how to approach the net well, etc.
Rublev is another hard hitter; A. Zverev not much better at the net even though he plays doubles with his brother. Shapo has more weapons and varieties but he goes for broke almost all the time. Chung too is another hard hitting counter punching baseliner. It’s only Kyrgios whom, if he puts his heart into it, could be the only one from the young generation, who has the skill set and talent to go deep at the slams. Sadly, he’s either injured or too immatured to put in his 100% efforts at the slams.
Russell Fuller (BBC’s tennis correspondent):
Kei Nishikori confirms his wrist is still not strong enough and pulls out of the Australian Open;
Yes he won’t come back until March. Rafa’s knee was fine for Abu Dhabi and Brisbane. It was the lack of preperation he had. He’s now has two whole much months off so that’s plenty time.
who?
Yeah, I think Rafa is fine; he just needs some quick match competition to get his competitive juices flowing. After nine weeks of rest and recovery, I do believe his knee should be fine for two weeks competition, after which he can always take Feb off.
If he’s playing Miami this season, I really hope he wins it, so that he can start skipping it come next season, and so will build in four weeks rest (after IW) before starting his clay season.
Sorry he (Kei) will start season at a challenger in California on January 22nd
no way
Yep Oliver is right. Check it out: http://www.tennispanorama.com/archives/60844
Yeah
Stuart Fraser (Tennis writer for The Times) 50 minutes ago:
“BREAKING: Andy Murray has withdrawn from the Australian Open. He departed Brisbane on a flight just after noon local time and is heading back to the UK via Melbourne.”
Prediction: Andy will RETIRE by the end of 2018
I think, Andy will continue trying to come back because he is tenacious – but I now doubt that he will succeed reaching earlier lofty heights 🙁 Bad hips are nasty and have ended many careers prematurely. As I said earlier, Guga Kürten was only a shadow of his earlier self after hip surgery and eventually retired. Andy is older than Guga was then…
According to British media (as cited by Tignor on Tennis.com) Andy has a torn labrum, which is a ring of cartilage. Kuerten and Hewitt had the same problem. The surgery would be arthroscopic so minimally invasive and hopefully techniques have improved in the past years. Still, I think Andy’s chance of returning to the top is pretty low.
Federer for his 20th.
#NID
#DoubleDown
#TheLastJedi
#HawkstradamusCrusing
#TheReturnOfTheWeakEra2.0
Never been overly fond of the AO, my least favorite GS, never been a happy hunting ground for my favorites anyway urgh, advantage Federer, thank goodness for football ….
Fed ftw
#LongevityGOAT
I watched Fed vs Khachanov and vs Sock. Fed wasn’t really great and that’s why he was pushed by both these guys but Fed still managed to win in straight sets.
I was thinking, had the Rafa of 2014 or Djoko of 2015/2016 met this Fed, I was sure they would beat this Fed relatively easily. Such a shame, both had their injuries and no one of note to challenge this Fed.
I hope Delpo at least could be healthy and fit, and well rested to be ready for the AO and challenges Fed all the way, if others are not up to par.
Great players raise their level against other greats. You don’t know that Fed plays at the same level if he plays Nadal or Djokovic.
Benny is right.
Gotta agree with you Benny,Federer played well in his three matches,was a bit rusty in the first match against Sugita but that’s normal after the layoff.
He really didn’t need to raise his game that much to win convincingly,despite he needed tiebreakers,he was really clutch on the big points. If his back doesn’t act up,he will go far in Melbourne again.
Isn’t that a given, that Fed would go far at the AO? He had reached at least the SF (bar once in 2015) since 2004! In fact the AO is/was his second best performing slam, after Wimbledon.
Ha, Fed had played both of them and lost, don’t you remember?
Fed wasn’t impressive that’s all I’m saying; Djoko is injured, obviously he’s not up to par, so if Fed meets him, obviously it’s advantage Fed. Do remember 2015 and 2016 though, when Djoko wasn’t injured, and he’s 3-0 vs Fed at the slams!
IMO,if we place the best 2017 version of Fed against 2015 Djokovic at the AO,Djoko would be the overwhelming favourite. Against 2016 Djoko and 2014 Rafa would be a close call,the improvements on his backhand would give him a good shot.
The question is:Would Federer have the consistency to be able to take them down in a best of five match? If he was oscillating during that matches like he did in 2017 AO,he would lose to both versions of Nadalovic.
Seems that Benny couldn’t understand what I was saying!
Well,maybe not.I think Benny meant players only play as well as they have to? All part of Feds energy saving and injury avoiding .
He can certainly bring out his A game for important matches
R. Nadal will win Australian Open(2018)😂.