ATP Australian Open 1/64-Finals
Coric – Garin: 14.01.2025 02:30 CEST
H2H: 2-1
Borna Coric has lost three of his last five matches. Coric had a disappointing 2024 season. The former world number 12 has struggled with his form for a while. So far this season, Coric has only played in the United Cup. In the opening match, Borna faced Auger-Aliassime. He won that match in three sets. After that, against the USA, Coric lost against Fritz in straight sets. Last year in Melbourne, Coric lost against Tiafoe in the opening round in four sets. His most significant result was reaching the fourth round in 2019, losing against Pouille.
Christian Garin has won three of his last five matches. In the season’s opening round in Hong Kong, Garin failed to qualify for the main draw tournament, losing against Yevseyev in three sets. Here in Melbourne, Garin successfully qualified for the main draw tournament. He had a favorable draw. In the final qualifying round, Garin won against Dellien in straight sets. Being Chilean, Garin loves to play on clay courts. He never had any success on fast courts like this. Last year in Melbourne, Garin lost in the opening round in five sets.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Coric is the slight favorite in this matchup, and we agree. Even though Borna has been struggling with his form, he is still a better hard-court player than Garin. We expect him to dominate in this match and win easily.
That being said, Coric winning is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Borna Coric winning @1.67 @bet365
Zhang – Rune: 14.01.2025 01:30 CEST
H2H: first meeting
Zhizhen Zhang has lost four of his last five matches. Zhang started this season by winning in the United Cup against Monteiro in straight sets. However, after that, Zhang lost three straight matches. Last week in Adelaide, Zhang lost in the opening round against Shapovalov in straight sets, as we had predicted. Last year in Melbourne, Zhang lost in the second round against Humbert in four sets. He has never made it past the second round in the Australian Open.
Holger Rune has won three of his last five matches. So far this season, Rune has only played one preparation tournament. At the beginning of the season, Holger played in Brisbane, losing against Lehecka in the opening round in straight sets. Rune had a disappointing 2024 season and hopes for a better season this year. Last year in Melbourne, Rune was upset by Cazaux in the second round, losing in four sets.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Rune is the favorite in this matchup, and we agree. Even though Holger is out of form, we still believe he is a better hard-court player than Zhang. Zhizhen is also out of form. He has not had consecutive wins since September last year. We expect Rune to start this season better than last year and win comfortably.
That being said, Rune covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Holger Rune -4.5 games handicap @1.83 @bet365
Main Photo Credit: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
