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.
