The Australian Open begins on Monday in Melbourne and some of the biggest names in the game grace the courts right from the very beginning of the tournament.
In the men’s event the number one seed Novak Djokovic begins his title defence on the Rod Laver Arena in the day session. He follows the defending ladies champion Serena Williams in what is a high quality afternoon on Laver. In the evening session Roger Federer is in action.
As well as that trio there are plenty of other star names in action on the first day of the tournament. The likes of Tomas Berdych, Kei Nishikori, Sam Stosur, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki and Petra Kvitova are all under the microscope right from the off.
As is often the case in the first round the star players generally have what look like one sided matches to kick off with although in fairness to Nishikori there is nothing easy about Philipp Kohlschreiber. That means we either have to take a chance on some big handicaps on the main courts or take a watching brief and I’m largely going to take the latter option.
There are two bets I like in the men’s draw on day one though and the first of them comes in that aforementioned Nishikori match. Nishikori doesn’t have much luck with the first round draws in these things having been drawn against the dangerous Benoit Paire in the US Open last year.
The Japanese star lost that match in straight sets and he’ll be eager to avoid a repeat here but I would be surprised if he won it in straight sets himself just purely because the German is as capable as he is.
Kohlschreiber took Federer to a deciding set in a couple of tournaments last year which highlights his quality so I’m really surprised the total games line here is 35.5 as if this is an automatic straight sets win for one of them.
I really don’t see it that way. I would be very surprised if this one doesn’t have at least four sets in it and if it does we would be extremely unlucky if there isn’t at least 36 games. I’m definitely interested in the overs here.
The other bet I like sees another seed in the form of Gilles Simon. Simon kind of goes quietly about his business. He doesn’t have a particular style or shot that stands out but he doesn’t have many weaknesses either. He faces the Canadian player Vasek Pospisil on Monday.
Pospisil is building a handy reputation for himself and he certainly doesn’t lack for power but the Frenchman has all the tools he needs to repel that power which might force the Canadian to get a bit erratic which just plays into Simon’s hands.
I wouldn’t think Simon would dominate this from start to finish but the parts of the match he is on top in I expect him to really dominate and that can ensure he covers a 3.5 game cap in this one.
Back K.Nishikori vs P.Kohlschreiber – Over 35.5 games for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Paddy Power
Back G.Simon (-3.5 games) to beat V.Pospisil for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Betfred
