The Australian Open moves to day two with woman’s world number one and local hope Ashleigh Barty taking centre court.
Men’s world number two Rafael Nadal is also in action with a first round clash against Laslo Djere.
WIth 14 Australians set to do battle today we’re set for a big day of tennis.
#1 Ashleigh Barty v Danka Kovinic
rod laver 7:00pm
Current Woman’s world number one Ashleigh Barty takes centre court at Rod Laver Arena tonight in a bid to carve a path to her first ever Australian Open title.
Barty was in fine touch when winning the Yarra Valley Cup over the weekend with straight sets 7-6, 6-3 victory over Garbine Murguruza.
The 24-year-old Australian now has good momentum heading into her round one clash.
She comes up against world number 77 Danka Kovincic who has only managed going as far as the second round in grand slams.
Highly doubt Kovincic will trouble Barty in this game and it should be a comfortable victory for the local girl who will likely progress deep into the tournament.
Suggested Bet: Total games under 17.5 at $1.99
feliciano lopez v li tu
court 7 2:15pm
This would have to be one of the most intriguing games of Round 1 given the circumstances surrounding both players in this match.
Li Tu is a 24-year-old Australian hailing from South Australia who was working as a tennis coach.
Tu has since found the zest for a professional tennis career again after he represented Australian in the Davis Cup at junior level back in 2012 .
Amazingly, Tu does not even have an ATP ranking which shows how much is really expected of him here.
He was the last to be awarded a 2021 Australian Open wildcard entry after he was narrowly defeated in straight sets (6-4, 7-6) by Pedro Sousa in the Murray River Cup.
Meanwhile, Feliciano Lopez has hit the ripe old age of 39 and continues to be competitive on the ATP Tour.
However, the Spaniard has not made it past the first round of an Australian Open for four consecutive years.
Tu will have the home crowd cheering him on as well as the fresh legs.
Let’s get the Aussie boy over the line in this one.
Suggested Bet: Li Tu at $3.26.
#2 rafael nadal v laslo djere
ROD LAVER ARENA 1:30PM
Spanish champion Rafael Nadal will begin his 16th Australian Open campaign with a first round match against Serbian Laslo Djere.
Both Nadal and Djere have never played against each other which always adds intrigue but the 20-time grand slam winner should make light work of his opponent today.
There is a bit of a question mark over the fitness of Nadal leading into the tournament but he looked in good nick at hitting practice on the back court of Melbourne Park over the weekend.
Nadal complained of a stiff back which led to him pulling out of the lead-up matches he was scheduled to play.
It means he has not played a competitive match for nearly three months.
The market is suggesting a walkover here with Nadal being $1.01.
However, to add to his back complaint, the hardcourt is his least favourite surface.
He has been bundled out of the first round here before but that’s highly unlikely to be happening today.
Nadal should progress to the second round with a straight set victory but he might not destroy Djere and it could take a few games for him to really get warm.
Suggested Bet: Total games over 25.5 at $1.90
