Australian Open Preview, Quarterfinals
It’ been a wild opening week at the Australian Open with top seeds falling like flies on both the men’s and women’s sides of the fixtures. Within the space of 24 hours, we lost the No. 2 seeds, Rafael Nadal and Ons Jabeur, while Daniil Medvedev and Iga Swiatek failed to make it to the second week.
As we head into the quarterfinals, Bet Nation looks at the top chances remaining in the tournament and how they will fare in the second week of action.
Novak Djokovic
January 16-29
Can anybody take down the Serbian superstar? Or is his $1.50 the most justifiable short-priced quote in recent history?
Djokovic has not missed a beat since returning to Melbourne Park this year as he searches for his 10th Australian Open title.
He’s dropped just one set on his way through to the quarters – a tiebreaker against Enzo Couacaud in the 2nd round – but has otherwise been unfazed by Roberto Carballés Baena, Grigor Dimitrov and Alex de Minaur.
He was faultless in his 4th round clash against the Australian, dropping just five games for the match on the back of 26 winners to 9.
He has commented on a tight hamstring throughout the tournament, but his performances and no Nadal suggest he’s more than healthy enough to go all the way.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
January 16-29
The Greek Freak is the highest-ranked player remaining in the tournament.
He had a cruisy run until the 4th round, where he met an in-form Jannick Sinner. After taking a 2-0 lead in the first two sets, Stef lost the third and fourth before regaining his composure and running out victorious in four hours of play.
Perhaps most importantly, he held his nerve and saved 22 of 26 break points. Incredible.
Was it the competitive outing he needed? The 24-year-old’s strike rate is outstanding in Australia, making the semifinals three times in five attempts. He likes our hard court, loves our crowd and clearly poses the biggest threat to Djokovic.
Aryna Sabalenka
January 16-29
On the women’s side of the draw, Aryna Sabalenka has taken favouritism following Iga Swiatek’s loss to Elena Rybakina.
The 5th seed is yet to drop a set throughout the tournament as she looks ready to take that next step and win her first Grand Slam.
After dropping no more than five games in any of her first three matches, Sabalenka was pushed by Belinda Bencic in the 4th round but still managed a 7-5, 6-2 win.
She faces Donna Vekic in her quarterfinal and enters as the shortest-priced favourite at $1.24 with Bet Nation.
Elena Rybakina
January 16-29
The punters have come for Rybakina following her 4th round mastery against World No. 1, Iga Swiatek.
Rybakina won 80% of her first serves and drove home 24 winners in a straight-set upset, 6-4, 6-4.
She’s quickly becoming the giant killer at this Open after defeating 2022 finalist Danielle Collins in the 3rd round.
The reigning Wimbledon champion is playing as well, if not better, than last year’s successful Grand Slam campaign and looks well-placed to progress to the semis.
