Australian Open preview: Medvedev to go all the way in Melbourne?

The 2022 Australian Open gets underway in Melbourne on Monday 17th January.

Ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year’s start, we’ve previewed the action below.

Medvedev to go one better?

The last 20 years of tennis have been dominated by three men – Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. Between this trio, they have won 16 of the last 18 Australian Opens, but a new era finally seems to have arrived.

Last year’s big titles were all won by Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Alex Zverev.

With Federer injured and Rafael Nadal only just back after several months on the sidelines, Medvedev may seem best placed to capitalise in Melbourne.

He was the man who ended Djokovic’s 2021 calendar year Grand Slam bid, dominating their US Open final.

Joint-favourite Medvedev was runner-up in Australia last season and can go one better here at 6/4.

Barty set to make history?

It’s now been 44 years since a home player has won one of the Australian Open singles titles, but the odds suggest the drought could be about to end.

World number one Ashleigh Barty is the 11/4 favourite to win the competition this year and to emulate Chris O’Neil’s 1978 success.

However, the pressure will be on for Barty as she is yet to reach the final of her home Slam and must deal with reigning champ, Naomi Osaka – who should be ready to roll.

The Japanese star was also an Australian Open winner in 2019, as well as last year, and looked good on her return to action in Melbourne last week before withdrawing from her semi-final, citing an injury.

It was probably a precaution but also a worry for potential backers, who will know that if Osaka is fully fit, she’ll take some stopping. Osaka to repeat last year’s success is priced at 11/2.

Check out all the latest tennis betting odds at William Hill