ATP Australian Open 1/16-Finals
Draper – Vukic: 17.01.2025 10:30 CEST
H2H: first meeting
Jack Draper has won four of his last five matches. The last match he played before the Australian Open was the previous year in Paris. In the opening Australian Open round, Draper defeated Navone in five sets after spending four hours on the court. Draper spent over four hours on the court in the second round against Kokkinakis, winning again in five tight sets. Jack was injured at the beginning of the season with a hip injury. He was due to compete for Great Britain in the United Cup but withdrew from the tournament. Last year in Australia, Draper reached the second round, losing against Tommy Paul in four tight sets.
Aleksandar Vukic has won three of his last five matches. Last week in Adelaide, Aleksandar lost in the opening round against Giron in three tight sets. In the opening round of the Australian Open, Vukic defeated Dzumhur in five sets, as we predicted. It was a roller-coaster match, with both players being inconsistent throughout. In the second round, Vukic defeated Korda in five tight sets. Last year in the Australian Open, Vukic lost in the opening round against Jordan Thompson in five tight sets.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Draper is the big favorite in this matchup, but we disagree. Since the injury, Jack has been far away from his best level. On the other hand, Vukic defeated Korda as an underdog with the help of the crowd. He will again have the packed crowd on his side, and we believe he will keep this match tighter than the bookies think.
That being said, Vukic covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Aleksandar Vukic +5.5 games handicap @1.83 @bet365
Djokovic – Machac: 17.01.2025 09:00 CEST
H2H: 1-1
Novak Djokovic has won four of his last five matches. So far this season, Novak has played only one preparation tournament. Last week in Brisbane, Djokovic reached the quarterfinals, losing against Opelka in straight sets. As we predicted, in his opening Australian Open round, Novak defeated Basavareddy in four sets. After that, in the second round, Novak also won against Faria in four sets. Last year in Melbourne, Djokovic lost in the semifinals against Sinner in four sets.
Tomas Machac has won four of his last five matches. In the opening Australian Open round, Machac defeated Nagal in straight sets. In the second round, Tomas defeated Opelka in five tight sets yesterday. Tomas trailed 1-2 but stayed calm when it was most important and turned the match around. Last year in Melbourne, Machac reached the third round, losing against Khachanov in four sets.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Machac is the big underdog, but we disagree. Tomas played well this season so far. On the other hand, Djokovic had a favorable draw but still lost a set in his opening matches. We expect a tight match that could go either way.
That being said, Machac covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Tomas Machac +5.5 games handicap @1.83 @bet365
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
