With Novak Djokovic out of the Australian Open, the title is now completely up for grabs—similar to the 2020 U.S. Open after Djokovic was defaulted in the fourth round.
Who is going to take advantage of what has become an amazing opportunity? Let’s take a look at seven players who could step up in the world No. 1’s absence.
Daniil Medvedev – Medvedev was already the co-favorite for the title even when Djokovic was still in the field. Now the Russian is a +140 favorite (Alexander Zverev is second at +220). You can bet on tennis at WinnersBet. We highly recommend you to read this WinnersBet review before betting. This way you will be able to get all the information you need to know to make a safe bet with high possibility of winning. As the No. 2 seed, Medvedev would not have faced Djokovic until the final. But if the 25-year-old makes it there, he will be happy not to face the Serb. It is true that Medvedev beat Djokovic for the U.S. Open title last summer, but Djokovic beat Medvedev even worse in last year’s Australian Open final and is a nine-time champion in Melbourne.
Alexander Zverev – Zverev is a solid 4-7 lifetime against Djokovic, but the German is 0-3 in the head-to-head series at Grand Slams. Needless to say, if Zverev makes it to the semifinals this fortnight it will be a huge boost for him to face anyone other than 20-time major champion. The world No. 3 has to like his chances against everyone remaining in the draw. Djokovic was the only one to stop him at the hard-court slams last season and Zverev wrapped up the 2021 campaign with a title at the Nitto ATP Finals. Based on his recent success at majors, his current form, and Djokovic’s departure, the 24-year-old may be in line for his first slam triumph.
Rafael Nadal – At this point in his career, Nadal probably isn’t going to defeat Djokovic on anything other than clay—at least not consistently. The Spaniard certainly wouldn’t have been given a good chance in that matchup this fortnight, as their most recent meeting Down Under resulted in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 beatdown in the 2019 final. With one of his arch rivals gone, the door is open for Nadal. The 35-year-old has only lifted the Aussie Open trophy once, but he has been to the final four times since his 2009 success. Nadal going all the way this time is by no means out of the question.
Matteo Berrettini – For nobody is Djokovic’s withdrawal more beneficial than it is for Berrettini. While Nadal would not have faced Djokovic until the semifinals, Berrettini had been on a collision course with the top seed for the quarters. Moreover, the Italian did not lose to a single player other than Djokovic at Grand Slams last year. He went 0-3 against Djokovic and an amazing 16-0 against everyone else. It is plainly obvious from those numbers that Berrettini is a legitimate title contender now that Djokovic is out.
Carlos Alcaraz – But will Berrettini even make it far enough in the draw for Djokovic’s absence to become a factor? Maybe not. The world No. 7’s projected fourth-round opponent is Alcaraz, who made a run to the U.S. Open quarterfinals last summer and then capped off his season with a title at the NextGen ATP Finals. If the 18-year-old Spaniard can upset Berrettini, he may be on his way to his first Grand Slam semifinal appearance.
Gael Monfils – Monfils is 0-17 all time against Djokovic. No, that is not a misprint; 0-17. It probably would have been 0-18 in a matter of days if the Serb had stayed in the tournament, because they were on course to collide in the round of 16. Suddenly Monfils’ draw is wide open, so the recent Adelaide champion has a great chance to reach the semifinals in Melbourne.
Tommy Paul – Paul is the immediate beneficiary of Djokovic’s ouster. They would be going head-to-head in the second round on Wednesday. Instead, Paul will meet a much more beatable Serb—Miomir Kecmanovic, who defeated Salvatore Caruso on Monday (Caruso was the lucky loser who replaced Djokovic). They say it’s better to be lucky than good, and right now Paul is both.
big opening for Monfils
Alcaraz for the semis!
I said beforehand if Novax is out I am picking him for the semis and I am sticking to that.
He’s a way better player than Berrettini imo and Monfils, for all his talent, is erratic and injury prone.
I’m not betting on Zverev and I definitely don’t think that Monfils can make it to the SFs. I predict that both will have unexpectedly complicated matches early on, which will sap them of energy. I think that it’s much more likely that Alcaraz plays the SFs here.
Indeed, it’s a major boost for Nadal not having to face Novax so early. Even if he won the clash, it would have probably exhausted him. I’m concerned about Rafa’s fitness; his training was derailed by Covid-19 so it’s hard to tell where he’s at right now. He admitted that he lost the 2019 final because he wasn’t physically prepared to beat Djokovic – he might have the same issue this year.
Medvedev might actually not benefit that much from Novax’ exit. He may get a rather fresh Nadal instead of a rather tired Djokovic. Anyway, I have a feeling that Rublev will beat Medvedev, so the latter will not get to benefit at all.
Monfils is 0-17 vs Joker??…..Wow!….plenty of opportunity at the AO.
It’s wide open that quarter section of the draw with many possibilities. I don’t think Djokovic omission makes much difference to Zverev because he probably beats him in the semis, anyway.
Alcaraz and Paul both have great chances.
Carreno and Berettinni can’t be underestimated, as well.
Neither can a few of the others. It only takes one of them to peak to have a chance of breaking through.
Its huge insult to say Nadal will not beat Djoker outside clay. I don’t see Nadal afraid of him mentally the way he was before. Its just the matter of time to flip the trend.. just like Fed turned it against Nadal.
Yeah, just keep on hoping…