Djokovic out – Murray odds-on favourite after Djoko’s shock exit
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Andy Murray is now odds-on to win his first Australian Open, after rival and world number two Novak Djokovic suffered a shock second round exit.
The Serbian lost in five sets to world number 117 Denis Istomin, despite going 2-1 up.
It’s the first time Istomin has ever beaten the five-time Aussie Open champ, and the first time Djokovic has gone out so early in a Slam since Wimbledon 2008.
Ahead of the tournament, Murray and Djokovic shared favouritism in the outright betting at 6/4.
But now the Scot is 10/11 to bag his first Slam Down Under, having been runner-up five times.
And the absence of Djokovic has seen the odds tumble elsewhere too.
Milos Raonic is now just 6/1, havin been 16s a fortnight ago.
And three-time Slam winner Stan Wawrinka has come in from 11s to 8s.
Murray will face Sam Querrey in the next round, and his path looks trouble-free until a potential semi-final clash with Wawrinka.
The news also means Murray is guaranteed to extend his points lead in the rankings.
Had Djokovic won in Melbourne and the Scot fail to reach the last four, the Serbian would have returned to number one.
But now Murray has an excellent shot to put some distance between himself and his great rival, after an incredible rare defeat.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
