Australian Open Tennis: Men's Matches over 3.5 sets

Fabbiano v Young Over 3.5 sets 1/2

Tiafoe v Kukushkin Over 3.5 sets 1/2

Albot v Berlocq Over 3.5 sets 1/2

Nishioka v Bolt Over 3.5 sets 1/2

Dolgoplov v Coric Over 3.5 sets 4/9

Muller v Fritz Over 3.5 sets 4/7

Sousa v Thompson Over 3.5 sets 1/2

Youzhny  v Baghdatis Over 3.5 sets 1/2

 

Australian Open Tennis: Dominic Thiem v Jan-Lennard Struff

Dominic Thiem 1/3 to defeat Struff

The Austrian youngster will want to do better at this years Australian Open than in 2016 when he faltered against Goffin. He has the power, the shots and is gaining experience at this level. Struff can be a tricky opponent and did well in the Bangkok Challenger last week but consistency and belief is often the Germans downfall. I cant see Strugg winning 3 sets against Thiem and I think this will be fairly routine.

 

Australian Open Tennis: Reilly Opelka v David Goffin

Reilly Opelka v David Goffin

Tie-break in match Yes 4/7

Over 3.5 sets Yes 5/6

Over 34.5 games Yes 8/11

The American is a rising start and breezed through qualifying with a dominant serve that should find plenty of cheap points even against Goffin. Nerves could play a part though and if Reilly doesn't start well then Goffin has the experience to be able to deal with the American youngster. Opelka could force a tie-break and so over 3.5 sets is a possibility.

 

Australian Open: Irina Khromacheva v Sorana Cirstea

Irina Khromacheva 11/8 to defeat Sorana Cirstea

The Russian has a breakthrough season in 2016 and finally broke the WTA top 100 and will make her debut here in Melbourne. Sorana Cirstea is very inconsistent and a shadow if her former self. When on form she can beat the best but can also lose tamely to lesser ranked players. It could be a good battle and a win would be big for both. Not much of either in 2017 so lets see how pre-season training worked out. Again I go for value and the better player

Australian Open: Anna Tatishvili v Jaimee Fourlis

Anna Tatishvili 13/10 to defeat Jaimee Fourlais

The young Aussie a big talent but is it a year too early? Tatishvili has plenty of experience on her side and can play some very good hardcourt tennis with power. However Anna is not Miss Consistency and therefore Jaimee will always have a chance, especially if the crowd get behind her. This is a big chance for both players but I am going with value and experience

Australian Open Tennis: Destanee Aiava v Mona Barthel

Destanee Aiava 12/5 to defeat Mona Barthel. - All depends on how the young Aussie starts. If she is nervous then Mona will take advantage, if she she continues where she left off in Brisbane then she could cause the German problems. Nerves are bound to play a part, the world is now looking and the expectation is there, ultimately it could be her downfall..... Mona though all her injuries and illneses is back and has qualified here in Melbourne. That gives her match fitness and plenty of time on court, she has experience but even she will be nervous.... Heart says Destanee, head Mona... I am going heart... low stakes only.

Australian Open Tennis: Jelena Jankovic v Laura Siegemund

J Jankovic 4/7 to defeat L Siegemund - This is a tough one to call and Laura won the battle here in 2016 in 3 sets a match that set up her whole year of success. I think Jankovic now as Serbia's number 1 will want to gain revenge and take this match.

Australian Open Tennis: Over 3.5 sets of tennis

N Almagro v J Chardy over 3.5 sets 2/5

A Rublev v R Lu over 3.5 sets 4/6

J Duckworth v P Lorenzi over 3.5 sets 4/9

P Cuevas v D Schwartzman over 3.5 sets 4/9

B Fratangelo v N Rubin over 3.5 sets 8/15

 

Australian Open Tennis: Bernard Tomic v Thomaz Bellucci

B Tomic 2/5 to defeat T Bellucci - We haven't seen much of Bernard yet on 2017 and no one quite knows what form he is in. He has done well here in the past and the crowd should get behind him when he asks for it. Bellucci can play on all surfaces but inconsistencies mean he has underachieved. Tomic to win

Australian Open Tennis: Alex De Minaur v Gerald Melzer

Alex De Minaur 6/4 to defeat Gerald Melzer

Safer Option: Over 3.5 sets 1/2

The young Aussie will be hugely motivated for this match. He has progressed from ITF to ATP Challenger level with ease and although still very young is a star in the making. The Aussie crowd will get behind him also. Melzer had a solid 2016 moved top 75 in rankings but still lacks experience at these big events. The crowd could give him problems. Gerald though played well at Doha against Andy Murray so it could be a tight contest. Over 3.5 sets