AUSTRALIAN OPEN – DAY 8 TIPS

Australian Open Day 8 presents the last of the Round of 16 matches, as the Quarter Finals take shape. Expect another tight one for Novak and Serena to continue to steamroll her way through the draw.

Day 8 Tips

Bet Type	Selections
Best Bet	Karolina Pliskova @ $1.82
Circuit Bet	Djokovic v Medvedev over 34.5 total games @ $1.88
Circuit Bet	Serena Williams 2-0 @ $1.96
Circuit Bet	Pablo Carreno Busta win a set @ $1.70
Circuit Bet	Madison Keys (-2.5) @ $1.94
Circuit Bet	Alexander Zverev @ $1.76
Value Bet	Naomi Osaka 2-1 @ $4.10
Value Bet	Borna Coric 3-0 @ $2.76

Karolina Pliskova @ $1.82

Although Pliskova has found the going slightly tougher than Garbine Muguruza this tournament, I expect the Czech to win this. Despite dropping sets in the second and third round, she’s responded well with strong final sets. Pliskova has a dominant record against Muguruza dating back to 2013, standing at 7-2 with one of Muguruza’s two wins over the Czech being on clay. With this in mind I’m backing the Czech in as my best of Day 8.

Djokovic v Medvedev over 34.5 total games @ $1.88

I’m expecting the world number 1 to click into gear soon, and this could be the match – but it won’t be easy against one of the in-form players on tour. Daniil Medvedev reached the Final in Brisbane accounting for Raonic, Murray and Tsonga on the way before losing to Nishikori, and is yet to drop a set at the Australian Open. He hasn’t met Djokovic before which may play in his advantage. A similar player to fellow Russian Karen Khachanov and German Alexander Zverev, both these players had wins against the world number 1 last year. I think the Russian can force a few long sets and force a fourth set in this one.

Serena Williams 2-0 @ $1.96

I don’t think Serena is yet to raise a sweat this tournament, but does have the world number 1 Simona Halep in the fourth round. Although this contest looks difficult on paper, Williams has never lost to Halep in eight appearances. There’s clearly a mental edge there, and the way Serena is hitting them I cannot see Halep taking a set in this one.

Borna Coric 3-0 @ $2.76

Coric had to recover from a set down in his last match, but despite a flattering scoreline in the second, third and fourth sets it wasn’t the Croatian’s best performance. With 62 unforced errors last match, I expect Coric to tighten up his play against an opponent he’s beaten twice across his career in Lucas Pouille. Incredibly, Pouille has never won a match at the Australian Open before this year and has had one of the easier draws to get himself in the fourth round. I expect his luck to run out when he takes on Coric.