2022 Australian Open Predictions: Who Should You Bet To Win Their First Australian Open?

2022 Australian Open Predictions: Who Should You Bet To Win Their First Australian Open?

The Australian Open begins on Monday, January 17th and lasts through the month. The prohibitive favorite, world #1 Novak Djokovic, won't be playing due to a revoked Visa. You can read up on that all you want, but this is a Futures article and that's in the past -- let's get to it. Unfortunately for us, the time to grab these bets was when it was a bit more unclear whether or not Djokovic would be playing. Since he was the clear favorite, there was a lot more value in the market. Despite this, there are still three players that I placed wagers on to take home their first Australian Open.

Be sure to check back for more Australian Open content as the tournament progresses, including some matchup-specific bets and updates on these Futures. Best of luck if you decide to rock with any of these and hopefully I'll see you at the ticket window!

2022 Australian Open Picks

1 Unit - Alexander Zverev: +275 (Bet $100 to Win $275)

This is certainly the one spot I wish I had gotten ahead of, as it was anywhere up to (+600) at some shops -- however, I still think it's worth a play here. It's likely we will see some unexpected outcomes this tournament, but it's most likely that Daniil Medvedev or Zverev win the tournament and the odds reflect that. I think it's closer between the two players than the odds indicate, and I'll lay it on the defending Olympic Champion from Germany to get it done. He's been playing fantastic tennis recently, having fixed the serving woes that ailed him versus Dominic Thiem in the 2020 U.S. Open Finals. When he's on, he can beat anyone in any condition and has shown an ability to play 5 setters well.

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0.10 Units - Matteo Berrettini: +5000 (Bet $10 to Win $500)

This one is a pure number grab, as his odds were even lower than this at some spots before it was announced that Djokovic would not be competing. The Italian reached his first grand slam finals last year at Wimbledon before losing to Djokovic, and although hard courts are not his best surface, his odds here are simply too good for someone who can threaten anyone in the field on his best day. Despite questions on his form and fitness, there's reason to believe in a tournament without the best player alive we can expect some unusual outcomes. I'd be sure to shop around on this line as it's not advisable under (+3800) or so. If Medvedev or Zverev go down early for some reason, it will be advantageous to have some Berretini stock. Just a sprinkle here.

0.10 Units - Roberto Bautista Agut: +15000 (Bet $10 to Win $1,500)

What's a Futures article without a crazy longshot? The Spaniard finds himself in the bottom half of the draw, which is a lot less dangerous than the top half (it's stacked). He is in good form entering this tournament, having won four of five matchups in the ATP Cup. The only loss came against the Canadian Felix Auger Aliasimme, where he was unable to convert 11 break points. In a tournament where I've stressed that we can expect the unexpected, here's where I want a sprinkle on odds I'd probably cut in half. He has a decent path given the draw -- after two relatively easy matches to start, he would face the American Taylor Fritz which should be a battle but he matches up well. After that, he'd have some tougher matchups but at that point, his odds would be a lot lower to win it all - because of this, I recommend making this future on a book that offers a cash-out option.

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