We are set for another huge day of Australian Open action.
The BetDeluxe tennis experts have gone through all the best bets ahead of day nine with Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis likely to steal all the headlines again!
Denis Shapovalov vs. Rafael Nadal
Scheduled for 2:00pm
Two big-hitting left handed guns will trade rally for rally when 20-time grand slam winner Rafael Nadal takes on Canadian prospect Denis Shapovalov at Rod Laver Arena.
Nadal cruised along to a straight-set victory (7-6, 6-2, 6-2) in his fourth round encounter with Adrian Mannarino under sweltering conditions, while Shapovalov made light work of Alexander Zverev to record a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 win.
Nadal’s opponent might very well be the first in not only this tournament, but on the entire tour, that boasts a swashbuckling left-handed forehand capable of matching and beating his own.
The 22-year-old Canadian’s Australian Open surge has so far been his best effort at this tournament in his career and Nadal is going to need to be at his best to put a stop to it.
The power, nerve and daring base-line game of Shapovalov is sure to have Nadal on edge for moments in this game.
Nadal looked a bit shaky against Mannarino before excelling and powering away after a first tiebreaker.
This has the making of a five-set thriller.
No real value at the head to head, but we are taking the overs in this one.
Suggested Bet: Total games over 37.5 at $1.75
gael monfils vs. matteo berrettini
scheduled for 8:00pm
French veteran Gael Monfils is on cloud nine when he enters his quarterfinal clash with Italian star Matteo Berrettini.
Monfils has been one of the main talking points heading into the second week of the Australian Open.
The 35-year-old Frenchman equalled his career-best performance at the Australian Open which dates back to 2016 after defeating Miomir Kecmanovic.
However, Berrettini is going to try to put a halt to all the fervour around Monfils’ dream run at the tournament.
The number seven seed showed great poise in his straight-set triumph over Pablo Carreno Busta.
Berrettini has not looked his premium best through the first few rounds needing four sets and five sets against his opponents prior to his fourth round victory.
But the Italian looks to be building into this tournament and hitting form at the right time.
He boasts 2-0 head to head record over Monfils of which both came on the hardcourt and that gives us the confidence he will progress through to the semi final.
Suggested Bet: Matteo Berrettini 3-1 at $3.80
T. Kokkinakis/N. Kyrgios vs. T. Puetz/M. Venus
scheduled for 3:30pm
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis team up yet again when they take on Tim Putz and Michael Venus in the Men’s Doubles Quarterfinal at Show Court Arena.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis have arguably been the drawcard of the Australian Open this year with their close friendship enamouring fans at Melbourne Park.
It is safe to the say opponents of both these Australian stars have not exactly been pleased with the on-field and off-field antics of the fans when these two play, so it will be interesting to see how Putz and Venus deal with the noise.
Putz and Venus have the advantage of an extended break between game after their third-round match was rendered a walkover, while Kokkinakis and Kyrgios battled away to win a pulsating three-set match against Gonzalo Escobar and Ariel Behar.
The two big factors in this game are going to be how Putz and Venus handle the ‘caged zoo’ crowd as well as the booming, demonic-like serving of Kyrgios.
Both Kyrgios and Kokkinakis have the swagger and talent to put the fans into a delirious state.
Cannot tip against the momentum of the Australian boys.
‘SIUUUUUUUUUUU!”
Suggested Bet: Kyrgios/Kokkinakis 2-0 at $2.55
ashleigh barty vs. jessica pegula
scheduled for 7:00pm
Ashleigh Barty enters Rod Laver Arena tonight with the hopes of the nation on her shoulders as she gets set to face Jessica Pegula in the Australian Open Quarterfinals.
In what is only the second time these two women meet in a competitive match, Barty holds sway with a 6-3, 6-3 victory back in 2019, albeit on clay.
Pegula will be looking at this match with a bundle of nerves given how well Barty has played in the tournament so far.
Our great Australian hope in the singles is yet to drop a set and has looked in scintillating form in the lead-up to this match.
Barty crushed Lesia Tsurenko in the first round, hammered Lucia Bronzetti in the second round, crushed Camila Giorgi in the third and then picked apart Amanda Anisimova to book this clash against Pegula.
Her form is ominous and it is reason she is the outright favourite to bring home the grand-slam bacon for the first time in Australia.
Suggested Bet: A. Barty 2-0 at $1.40
