AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2019 – MEN’S PREVIEW

Roger Federer goes for his third consecutive Australian Open championship and his seventh title, whilst world number 1 Novak Djokovic will also be aiming for title number 7.

Best Bet	Novak Djokovic @ $2.10
Circuit Bet	Karen Khachanov @ $26
Circuit Bet	Roger Federer @ $5
Value Bet	Borna Coric @ $41
Value Bet	Grigor Dimitrov @ $41
Value Bet	Tomas Berdych @ $101

Wolf’s Best

Novak Djokovic @ $2.15

His career was at the crossroads 12 months ago, seeded 14th at the 2018 Australian Open losing in the fourth round to Hyeon Chung. Fast forward 12 months, and he’s back to the number 1 player in the world with Wimbledon and US Open titles. He’s the clear favourite here, and he’s our pick to win his 7th Australian Open championship. It won’t be easy though – he’ll likely face Tsonga in the second round, up and coming stars Shapovalov and Medvedev in the third and fourth respectively and then the very much in-form Nishikori in the Quarters.

Circuit Bet

Karen Khachanov @ $26

We’ve found the next Marat Safin! This 22-year-old Russian is a 6’6 monster with a big game, making a huge surge in 2018 into number 11 in the world. His year topped off with a win at the Paris Masters which saw him defeat four top-ten players including Novak Djokovic. I believe he’s a huge chance to reach the Final against Novak here in his breakthrough major, and has the game to trouble the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in his half of the draw.

Roger Federer @ $5

The GOAT is looking for his third consecutive Australian Open title and his seventh in total, remarkably at the age of 37. His recent form still holds up defeating Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Hopman Cup. Faces Australian Open giant-killer Denis Istomin in the first round, but his first real test will be in the third round facing flashy Frenchman Gael Monfils before a tantalising fourth round match up with Tsitsipas.

Value Bet

Borna Coric @ $41

Like Khachanov, Coric is a 22-year-old on the rise, and finds himself in the easiest quarter of the draw. Despite never winning a game at the Australian Open in his four attempts, Coric’s rise in 2018 cannot be ignored where he moved to the 12th ranked player in the world. He shouldn’t have any troubles in Week 1, and will potentially face clay-courter Dominic Thiem in the fourth round. Can quite easily reach his first Grand Slam Semi-Final with some luck.

Grigor Dimitrov @ $41

Will be looking to redeem himself in 2019 after a poor 2018, dropping from number 3 to 21 in the world. Has a decent record at the Australian Open though, with 2 Quarter Final appearances and a Semi Final loss to Rafael Nadal in 2017 in an epic five-setter. There’s no question mark on the talent of Dimitrov, and with a relatively weak pool of seeded players in 2019 could certainly go deep in the tournament, especially with Andre Agassi recently joining his team. Will likely face Rafael Nadal in the Quarter Final.

Tomas Berdych @ $101

Great cash out potential with Berdych, who recently made the Final at Doha. Aside from the big 3, Berdych has one of the better records at the Australian Open although he’s yet to win a Grand Slam title. In his last eight Australian Opens, he has reached the Quarter Finals on seven occasions, advancing to the Semi Finals twice. An injury interrupted 2018 saw him drop outside the top 50 for the first time since 2003, but recent form suggests that he’ll be back in there in no time. Good enough to run into Nadal in the Round of 16.

Draw

Quarter Finals

Djokovic def Nishikori
Coric def Zverev
Khachanov def Federer
Dimitrov def Nadal

Semi Finals

Djokovic def Coric
Khachanov def Dimitrov

Final

Djokovic def Khachanov