ATP Australian Open 1/64-Finals
Draper – Navone: 13.01.2025 04:30 CEST
H2H: 1-0
Jack Draper has won four of his last five matches. The last match he played was last year in Paris. So far this season, Jack has not played any competitive matches. 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.
Mariano Navone has lost four of his last five matches. Being an Argentine, Navone is a clay-court specialist but never succeeded on hard courts. So far this season, Mariano has played two preparation tournaments. In his opening tournament in Brisbane, Navone lost against Jarry in tight straight sets. Navone reached the second round this week in Auckland, losing against Borges in three sets. Last season, Mariano secured only three hard-court wins. Last year in Melbourne, Navone failed to qualify for the main tournament, losing against Prizmic in three sets.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Draper is the big favorite in this match, and we agree. Draper is a way better hard-court player than Navone, and we expect him to dominate. Mariano has no weapon for Jack’s game, so we believe Draper will win easily.
That being said, Draper covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Jack Draper -7.5 games handicap @1.67 @bet365
Fognini – Dimitrov: 13.01.2025 06:00 CEST
H2H: 2-5
Fabio Fognini has won four of his last five matches. So far this season, he has only played one preparation tournament. It was this week in Adelaide that Fongini retired against Bonzi in the opening qualifying round. However, Fognini looks fit and ready for his upcoming Australian Open match. The last time Fognini played in Melbourne was in 2023. He lost his opening match against Kokkinakis in straight sets.
Grigor Dimitrov has won three of his last five matches. So far this season, Dimitrov played in only one preparation tournament. Last week in Brisbane, Dimitrov retired mid-match against Lehecka in the semifinals. Dimitrov received treatment on his groin and hip region but could not continue the match. Last year in Melbourne, Grigor was upset by Borges in the third round, losing in four tight sets. His biggest result in the Australian Open was in 2017 when he faced Nadal. It was an epic match, with Nadal winning in five rough sets.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Dimitrov is the big favorite in this match, but we disagree. Fabio is one of the most experienced players in the tournament. Dimitrov got injured last week, and we are still unsure if he is 100% fit. We expect Fabio to put up a big fight and cover the games handicap easily. Fognini loves to play at the big events and with the packed crowd.
That being said, Fognini covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Fabio Fognini +8.5 games handicap @1.80 @bet365
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
