AUSTRALIAN OPEN – DAY 5 TIPS

The Australian Open begins to heat up as we enter the third round. Federer and Nadal will be in the thick of it, with our very own Alex De Minaur taking on the latter, but my eye is on some up and coming stars that can make a run for the Championship this year – Khachanov and Sabalenka.

Day 5 Tips

Bet Type	Selections
Best Bet	Karen Khachanov -1.5 sets @ $1.93
Circuit Bet	Aryna Sabalenka (-3.5) @ $1.83
Circuit Bet	Frances Tiafoe @ $1.86
Circuit Bet	Ash Barty 2-0 @ $1.62
Circuit Bet	Fritz v Federer over 32.5 total games @ $1.87
Circuit Bet	Aliaksandra Sasnovich @ $1.70
Circuit Bet	Marin Cilic -1.5 sets @ $1.63
Value Bet	Danielle Collins @ $2.78

Karen Khachanov -1.5 sets @ $1.93

Khachanov was slow in his opening round match-up, but certainly found his groove in the second round with a convincing 6-3 6-3 6-3 win. He faces the Spanish wall that is Roberto Bautista Agut, who must be getting tired. Both his wins have been five-setters, and has been on court for a combined total of 8 hours. I expect the Russian to overpower the Spaniard in this one, winning in either 3 or 4 sets.

Aryna Sabalenka (-3.5) @ $1.83

I know I backed Kyrgios to beat the Canadian, but the big fella’s serve was flawless in a straight sets masterpiece against the Aussie. 30 aces, 1 double fault! He’s done enough to sway me into the Raonic camp, although my pre-tournament prediction was that Stan Wawrinka will move into the Round of 16. The 2014 Australian Open Champion cruised into the second round, despite an early scary against Latvian Ernests Gulbis who took the first set before retiring hurt in the second set. The lack of time on court could work both ways against Stan, who will go into this one fresh but also slightly underdone against a big, powerful man who is playing great tennis. Hard to back against Raonic based on his Round 1 performance, and should clear the 3.5 game handicap.

Frances Tiafoe @ $1.86

Could be the big story to emerge from the Australian Open on the men’s side of the draw. Had all the answers against fifth seed Kevin Anderson in the second round, even falling down a set and a break. He’s an excitement machine that plays with both power and finesse, and will be a tricky match-up for Andreas Seppi. The veteran Italian is ranked four spots above him, and has had a great year so far, but seeing what Tiafoe did to Anderson makes him a great price.

Aliaksandra Sasnovich @ $1.70

I tipped her to beat Kontaveit in the second round at around the $1.80 mark, and I think the $1.70 on offer is also great value. Finished 2018 on fire, and has started 2019 in similar fashion with two straight set wins. Her next opponent is a power hitter in Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who will be a tricky match-up but someone she should have no trouble with based on recent form. If you’re looking for some extra value in this match, take Sasnovich in straight sets at $2.62.