Men’s Australian Open: Djokovic shortened for 10th title in Melbourne
Published:
Men’s Australian Open odds: Tsitsipas 4/1 in the betting
The Australian Open is at the business end of the tournament and champion Novak Djokovic is just two wins away from a record-equalling 22nd grand slam title.
The 35-year-old Serb was unable to defend his title last year after being deported by the government over his Covid vaccination status and seemed in danger of pulling out of this year’s tournament with an injury, but is on course for a 10th Australian Open title.
Djokovic faces Tommy Paul for a place in the final and has been cut to 2/9 in the men’s Australian Open odds.
Novak Djokovic
Age: 35
Grand slams: 21
Djokovic’s hopes of double-digit successes in Melbourne looked over when the hamstring injury he sustained in Adelaide flared up during his second-round victory over Enzo Couacaud, but he made an almost miraculous recovery to win his next three matches in straight sets.
9-0 in AO semis
9-0 in AO finalsOn RLA, Djokovic dominated Rublev to return to the final four stage and looks poised to add to his unprecedented legacy.#AusOpen • #AO2023
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2023
Grigor Dimitrov gave him a stern test in round three, but Alex De Minaur and Andrey Rublev were swept aside with ease as Djokovic moved into the semi-finals where he has never lost at the Australian Open.
He said: “So far I have a perfect score in Australian hard courts, in Adelaide and here. I’ve been playing better and better. I couldn’t ask for a better situation to be in at the moment.”
Chances: Hard to look anywhere else for this year’s winner.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Age: 24
Grand slams: 0
The world number four has won all of his matches bar one in three sets as he prepares for his fourth Australian Open semi-final in five years.
Only Jannik Sinner in round four has truly tested the Greek over the course of the fortnight and that’s how it’s likely to stay ahead of his clash with Karen Khachanov, who has lost all five matches against Tsitsipas, four of which came on hard courts.
Tsitsipas still has a chance of becoming the world number one on Monday but he has never won a grand slam, losing his only final at the French Open two years ago.
He said: “I’m feeling great with my tennis. I don’t think I felt so good in a long time. I’m a different player, playing different. My mentality is different. When I’m out on the court, I don’t really think of negatives, to be honest. I just go out there and play the game.”
Chances: Finalist yes, champion no.
Karen Khachanov
Age: 26
Grand slams: 0
The Russian is appearing in his second successive grand slam semi-final having lost to Casper Ruud at the US Open in September.
"I think I kind of reinvented myself."@karenkhachanov • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/QtwAb4sz6W
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2023
Khachanov has had a comfortable run to the last four and did not drop a game in the first two sets of his fourth-round tie against Yoshihto Nishioka, while Sebastian Korda retired with a wrist injury when trailing 3-0 in the third in what had been a tight quarter-final.
Chances: His record against semi-final opponent Tsitsipas does not bode well.
Tommy Paul
Age: 25
Grand slams: 0
The American has exceeded all expectations by reaching a maiden grand slam-final having never previously advanced beyond the fourth round in 13 attempts from the main draw.
"I'm not satisfied. I'm going to go out there to win." –
With mum flying in from the US to catch the match, the 25-year-old's first Slam semi felt extra special 🥰#AusOpen • #AO2023
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2023
Paul, who will break into the top 20 for the first time after the tournament, becomes the first American man to reach the semi-finals here since Andy Roddick in 2009 when he beat compatriot Ben Shelton in four sets.
Chances: The world number 35 won three of his eight matches against top-10 players last season, but Djokovic is a different animal and his dream run is likely to end in the semis.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
