We’re less than a day away from the start of the Australian Open and excitement is definitely building for the year’s opening Grand Slam tournament. All eyes will be on Novak Djokovic who looks to defend the Men’s Singles title he won so convincingly last year. Read on below as we break down the favorites, sleepers and long shot for this prestigious tennis event and while you’re at it you can check out the latest odds update for the Women’s Singles tournament.
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2016 Australian Open Men’s Singles Odds Update
Favorites – Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray
Can Novak Djokovic be stopped? That’s the question on everyone’s lips ahead of the 2016 Australian Open after his dominating performance in the ATP Tour last season. The world no. 1 captured 11 ATP titles last year, including the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. He won 84 of 91 matches last year, reaching the final in 15 of the 16 ATP events that he entered.
[sc:AUS15-250 ]He has continued that excellent form this year, winning the Qatar Open in emphatic fashion last week. He collected his 60th career title on Doha, crushing Rafael Nadal in the final, 6–1, 6–2. Djokovic will fancy his chances of extending that hot streak in the Australian Open as he has dominated this tournament of late. He has won four of the last five Australian Opens. Djokovic is pegged at -180 to win his 11th Grand Slam title Down Under.
If there’s one player, though, who can stop Djokovic here in Australia, it’s got to be Roger Federer. The Swiss maestro knows how to win on the big stage, capturing a record 17 Grand Slam titles in his career. He loves playing here in Melbourne, as evidenced by his four Australian Open titles. Federer’s experiencing a career renaissance, finishing runner-up in the US Open and Wimbledon last year. His odds of winning the 2016 Australian Open are priced at +700.
Andy Murray’s another guy who can derail Djokovic’s Australian Open bid. He comes into this Grand Slam tournament on the heels of leading Great Britain to its first Davis Cup title since 1936. The British no. 1 came so close to winning the Australian Open last year, losing to Djokovic in four sets in the final. He is listed at +550 to go one better and win the Australian Open this year.
One player you can’t sleep on in this tournament is Rafael Nadal. He’s starting to regain his old form, climbing up to fifth in the world rankings after dropping out of the top 10 in the early part of last season. Nadal has a history of success here in Melbourne, reaching the quarterfinals or better in all of his last eight appearances at the Australian Open. He is pegged at +1,000 to win the year’s opening Grand Slam.
Another player who can definitely surprise in this tournament is Stan Wawrinka (+1,000). He has clearly established himself as one of the world’s best, already winning two Grand Slams in his career. Over the last two years, Wawrinka has won more Grand Slam titles than Federer, Nadal and Murray combined. Djokovic knows the threat Wawrinka can bring as he was clinically destroyed by the Swiss star in the French Open final last year.
Long Shot – Lleyton Hewitt
Looking for a worthy long shot in this year’s Australian Open? How about Australian legend Lleyton Hewitt? The former world no. 1 will be making his final appearance in his home Grand Slam as he brings his illustrious 20-year career to a close. He knows how to play in the big stage as evidenced by his two Grand Slam wins so expect Hewitt to go out with a bang.
