*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Barring another dramatic twist in the Novak Djokovic visa row, the Serbian star looks set to defend his Australian Open title.
The will he won’t he be sent home saga has been pretty good craic but it looks to be coming to an end as Djokovic has been released from detention, after the Aussie government were told off by a judge for revoking his right to enter the country.
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Unvaccinated Djokovic could still have his visa cancelled by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, but the 20-time Grand Slam winner has announced his intention to stay and compete in the first big tournament of the season.
It’s hardly been an ace preparation for the defending champ so his biggest rivals will be hoping to smash their way to success at Melbourne. We’ve run the rule over Paddy Power’s Australian Open odds to pick out three principal threats to his crown…
I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation. Despite all that has happened,I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen
I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans. 👇 pic.twitter.com/iJVbMfQ037— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 10, 2022
Djokovic is joined at the top of our Australian Open Men’s Outright Betting market by the man he beat in last season’s final, Daniil Medvedev. The Russian went on to exact revenge when claiming his maiden Grand Slam in August’s US Open. The world number two has begun his 2022 campaign in fine style with three wins from four singles matches at the ATP Cup.
Alexander Zverev, the world number three, is, unsurprisingly, third in our book. The Tokyo Olympics gold medallist has never secured a Grand Slam title but did win last season’s ATP Finals to round off a decent year. He has tasted success Down Under before, however, as he won the Junior version of the Australian Open in 2014.
The third of the market principals is one of the greatest player’s of all-time, Rafael Nadal. The Australian Open has been the toughest of the Grand Slams for the Spaniard, who has lifted the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup just once in his entire career all the way back in 2009. Nadal has made just two of the last five finals and heads into the tournament sixth in the world rankings after a foot injury curtailed his 2021 season.
Ashleigh Barty, meanwhile, is the favourite in our Australian Open Women’s Outright Betting market. The home heroine extended her lead at the top of the world rankings by winning the recent Adelaide International 1.
You can find the latest Australian Open odds at paddypower.com including match betting for the Qualifiers.
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