Can Novak Djokovic be stopped? That’s the question on everyone’s lips ahead of the 2017 Australian Open after another stellar campaign in the ATP Tour last season. The Serbian star captured seven ATP titles last year, including the Australian Open and the French Open. He has continued that excellent form this year, winning the Qatar Open in thrilling fashion last week. He collected his 67th career title on Doha, beating Andy Murray in the final, 6–3, 5-7, 6-4. 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 five of the last six Australian Opens. Djokovic is pegged at +130 to win his 13th Grand Slam title Down Under.
If there’s one player, though, who can stop Djokovic here in Australia, it’s got to be Murray. He is coming off a highly-successful 2016 season wherein he captured nine ATP titles, including his second Wimbledon crown. The world no. 1 came oh so close to winning the Australian Open last year, losing to Djokovic in three tough sets in the final. Murray has finished runner-up in this event a whopping five times. He is listed at +150 to go one better and finally win the Australian Open this year.
Sleepers – Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka
One player you can’t sleep on in this tournament is Roger Federer. The Swiss legend knows how to win on the big stage, capturing a record 17 Grand Slam titles in his storied career. He loves playing here in Melbourne, as evidenced by his four Australian Open victories. That being said, Federer is still feeling his way back after a long six-month injury lay-off. He had a mixed performance at the Hopman Cup team tournament in Perth last week, finishing with a 2-1 singles record. His odds of winning the 2017 Australian Open are priced at +1,000.
Another player who can definitely surprise in this tournament is Stan Wawrinka (+900). He has clearly established himself as one of the world’s best, already winning three Grand Slams in his career. Over the last three years, Wawrinka has won more Grand Slam titles than Murray, Federer and Nadal combined. Think about that. Defending champion Novak Djokovic knows the threat Wawrinka can bring as he was clinically destroyed by the Swiss star in the U.S. Open final last year.
Long Shot – John Isner
Looking for a worthy long shot in this year’s Australian Open? How about American John Isner? Last year, he reached the fourth round of the Aussie Open for the first time since 2010 defeating Spaniards Feliciano López and Marcel Granollers before losing in straights sets to David Ferrer. What makes Isner such a threat in every tennis tournament that he competes in is his tremendous serve. He’s tops in the ATP Tour in serve rating, posting a 319.7 clip the past 52 weeks. To further illustrate Isner’s dominance with his serve, he has put into play 69.3 percent of his first serves and has won 82.2 percent of those points the past year. Isner is pegged at +10,000to win the Australian Open for the first time in his career.
Writer’s Prediction
Andy Murray (+150) finally gets over the hump Down Under and wins his first-ever Australian Open title.
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