Our tennis expert brings you a captivating look at the most exciting third-round clashes at the 2018 Australian Open.
The withdrawals of tennis giants Murray and Nishikori have only ramped up the unpredictability, with shocking early exits including former champion Stan Wawrinka’s rather disappointing defeat, alongside the surprising departures of Goffin and Raonic.
Is this the moment where legends like Nadal and Federer continue their Grand Slam dominance, or will a rising star emerge to challenge the status quo? Let’s dive into the betting outlook for some key matches:
Novak Djokovic 1/10 | Albert Ramos Vinolas 5/1
Six-time champ Novak Djokovic has faced some minor rustiness making his way through to the third round. His smooth victory over Donald Young was followed by a tough four-set battle with Monfils. Despite the test, Djokovic remains undefeated against Monfils with a 15-0 record.
Ramos Vinolas boasts a flawless performance so far without dropping a set, but his head-to-head record against Djokovic stands at 0-4. Djokovic’s straight-sets win in Washington last year (6-3, 6-4, 6-2) highlights his superiority. At 1/10 odds, Djokovic might not be as pricey as when in peak form a couple of years ago. This match is likely his to win.
Dominic Thiem 3/10 | Adrian Mannarino 22/10
Thiem, more at home on clay, had a tough five-set opener. His flawless 6-0 record against the tricky Frenchman Mannarino, including three hardcourt wins last year without dropping a set, gives him a clear edge.
Mannarino’s game is all about disrupting rhythm, which could become a headache for a fatigued Thiem battling the Melbourne heat. While Thiem is the clear favourite, the odds of 3/10 for him don’t offer the best value – keep an eye on Mannarino’s crafty style!
Tomas Berdych 11/10 | Juan Martin Del Potro 7/10
A heavyweight showdown with both players known for challenging the Big Four. Del Potro leads their rivalry 5-4, sharing two wins each on hard courts. Del Potro won their last encounter comfortably in Cincinnati last year. Though Del Potro dealt with some pain to get past Khachanov, 7/10 looks a fair bet given Berdych’s recent career decline.
Alex Zverev 5/10 | Hyeong Chung 31/20
Chung had a breakthrough season last year, capped by victory at the NextGen Finals, which Zverev skipped to prepare for ATP Finals where he underperformed. Chung has a 1-0 record against Zverev, though on clay before Zverev’s rise.
Zverev is still seeking his first fourth-round run in a major. Considering the factors, 5/10 doesn’t offer much value for Zverev; Chung at 31/20 could be an intriguing punt.
Written by Damien Kayat for @Hollywoodbets.net
