There is just one singles match at the Australian Open on Friday and it will determine who faces Rafael Nadal in the men’s final on Sunday as Novak Djokovic takes on Lucas Pouille in the second semi-final.
We are heading towards a showdown between the two best players in the world on the current rankings, but the French star will surely have something to say about that in his first appearance at this level of a major.
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Novak Djokovic
It hasn’t been the smoothest path to this semi-final stage for the Wimbledon and US Open champion but his quest for a third successive Grand Slam title was made much easier when Kei Nishikori retired after barely an hour of their quarter final. Prior to that young bucks Denis Shapovalov and Daniil Medvedev had both taken a set off the six time champion of this tournament.
I think it is fair to say that at this stage of his career Djokovic is going to have to survive some battles to win tournaments because while his serve is accurate it doesn’t create enough free points so opponents can get stuck into it. That said it still takes an insane effort to get through the amazing defensive skills that the Serbian possesses.
Lucas Pouille
This tournament always throws up a surprise semi-finalist given how early it is in the season. We had Kyle Edmund and Hyeon Chung last year and we have Stefanos Tsitsipas and Lucas Pouille this year. The Frenchman will hope to fare much better in his maiden last four clash than the Greek player did but he’s been in good form throughout the tournament and is certainly here on merit.
Pouille announced himself in the event when he dumped out Borna Coric in the last 16 but he really came of age when he outlasted and then outplayed a Milos Raonic who had looked imperious in the event prior to their quarter final clash. Pouille has a wonderful all-court game which is pleasing on the eye but whether he has the game on game consistency required to win this remains to be seen.
Head to Head
This is the first time these two men have met in competitive play and it is a wonderful stage in which for them to meet. Pouille is largely still beginning his career in the big time while Djokovic has been there and done it many times. It might be no bad thing for the Frenchman that he hasn’t been beaten by Djokovic and can go into the match with no battle scars so to speak.
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Betting
After the damp squib in terms of a lack of competitiveness in the opening semi-final I hope this one is more of an event but I have to admit I’m not convinced that it will be because I envisage Novak Djokovic being every bit as dominant here as Rafael Nadal was on Thursday so with that in mind I’ll go with the one bet.
The game line here is as high as 31.5 but that looks a little too high to me. Once Djokovic gets his teeth into this match I expect him to cruise through it and even if the first set is tight while he works the Frenchman out there will be enough movement to get the under in. Pouille doesn’t have a monster serve to keep Djokovic honest and while he has an all-court game nobody in the game loves a target at the new more than the Serbian. Pouille is on the up but Djokovic covers all his strengths. I’ll play under 31.5 games here as a better value to 3-0 Djokovic or the handicaps.
Tips
WON – Back Under 31.5 games for a 4/10 stake at 1.85 with BetVictor
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