Old warhorse Muguruza was great on hard courts last year, back to her best, think 5 finals, Azarenka, not quite but good enough to win 5 matches here with her draw. Karetsev has a million points to defend, but getting through Hurkacz Nadal/Zverev probably too much.
The boring and the inevitable would be Barty or Osaka and Nadal or Medvedev winning.
In the womens' I suspect the key match in the second round is Kontaveit vs Tauson. My spidey sense is telling me the winner of that match wins the Australian Open. Period.
Badosa @18.5 seems ready to win a slam if she gets past the dangerous and motivated Kostyuk @220 in a potentially explosive third round encounter.
Leylah @7.2 to win her quarter could have written her own draw having beaten both Kerber and Sabalenka in NY and not meeting one of Swiatek/Kvitova till late on.
As a huge price long shot for the clinically insane, I'm not giving up on Ocean Dodin @1000s who nearly landed me a nice tip in Sydney although she has a scary first week draw.
Ozaka looks terrible value, Barty I wouldn't begrudge after her lovely and stateswoman like behaviour in recent weeks.
In the womens' I suspect the key match in the second round is Kontaveit vs Tauson. My spidey sense is telling me the winner of that match wins the Australian Open. Period.Badosa @18.5 seems ready to win a slam if she gets past the dangerous and motiv
In the men's I'm backing Alex de Minaur to win his nation's open at a tasty @230s.
He's had everything bar the kitchen sink thrown at him but is on the upcurve, beating Berretini handily at New Year. He has a sweet early draw and is in the right state of mind to win his first Slam.
Can't ever write off 'Metal Hip Muzza' at 140. the bagpipes may yet ring out across melbourne.
Cameron Norrie's quarter has obviously opened out post-Novak and currently @8.4 to win his Quarter.
At a massive price @840s Holgar Rune is my longshot.
In the men's I'm backing Alex de Minaur to win his nation's open at a tasty @230s.He's had everything bar the kitchen sink thrown at him but is on the upcurve, beating Berretini handily at New Year.He has a sweet early draw and is in the right state
good luck JM, worst time of year for the body clock, but usually worth it as long as the site doesn't crash, good to see others stapling their balls to the mast, so to speak.
good luck JM, worst time of year for the body clock, but usually worth it as long as the site doesn't crash, good to see others stapling their balls to the mast, so to speak.
Kostyuk survives a tricky first round match in straight sets. If she can reign in her need to beat herself up she's a contender.
The British Crown prince of Indian Wells has just been put over a bin and given the Korda treatment. So my mens tips off to a terrible start, but yeah yeah I'll take the hit
What's important is get Sebastian Korda onside. Still available at 100s ! I have seen the flippin light. Wow. Just wow.
Kostyuk survives a tricky first round match in straight sets. If she can reign in her need to beat herself up she's a contender.The British Crown prince of Indian Wells has just been put over a bin and given the Korda treatment.So my mens tips off to