There have been thrills and spills aplenty at this year’s Australian Open, but the cream has ultimately risen to the top.
World number one Novak Djokovic was forced to skip the competition in Melbourne but second seed Daniil Medvedev has lived up to his billing and teed-up a mouth-watering title decider with legendary Spaniard Rafael Nadal.
Medvedev is chasing back-to-back Grand Slam wins after his success at the US Open in September, while Nadal is pursuing history in Melbourne, bidding to claim a record-setting 21st Grand Slam crown.
An epic battle between champions sits on the horizon
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— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2022
In the women’s showpiece, all eyes will be on world number one Ashleigh Barty, who is hoping to become the first Australian player to win the home Grand Slam in 44 years.
The Aussie ace is a warm favourite to clinch a third Major title at the expense of American Danielle Collins, who is appearing in her maiden Grand Slam final.
Medvedev Looks Likely to Spoil the Party
Nadal has won only once at the Australian Open – way back in 2009 – but victory over Medvedev would see him surpass Djokovic and Roger Federer at the top of the all-time Grand Slam rankings.
However, the Spaniard has subsequently been beaten in four finals at Melbourne Park and now faces a fired-up Russian, who has announced himself as one of the best hard-court players of recent times.
The 35-year-old Majorcan is 33/20 for a fairytale success Down Under and recent wins over Denis Shapovalov and Matteo Berrettini read well.
But Medvedev has also shown his class with wins over Felix Auger-Aliassime and Stefanos Tsitsipas and surely younger legs will prevail were this to turn into an epic battle.
The second seed is 20/41 for silverware but backing him to win and drop a set may be the best approach for punters.
Medvedev has conceded sets in four of his six tournament wins and a determined Nadal should also make his mark, which points to a 3-1 triumph at 14/5. The Russian has already beaten Nick Kyrgios, Maxime Cressy and Tsitsipas by that scoreline in Melbourne.
Home Favourite Barty Can Cement Her Place at the Top
World number one Barty is also chasing a piece of history in her homeland and it is difficult to see those celebrations being halted.
Australia’s favourite takes on Collins in Saturday’s silverware-decider and, for all her qualities, the American must be fearing the worst.
Not only is it Collins’ first taste of a Grand Slam final, but she squares-up against the best female player on the planet, who will also have advantage of her home crowd.
What makes matters worse is that Barty is operating at the peak of her powers and confidence is flowing following six bloodless victories.
The 25-year-old Queenslander is yet to drop a set in Melbourne and, in fact, has let up only 21 games.
Her 6-1 6-3 semi-final demolition of a red-hot Madison Keys, who was on a 10-game winning run, highlights the current level of her performance.
More than 40 years in the making
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Collins is also enjoying a dream tournament but she came from a set down to get the better of Clara Tauson and Elise Mertens, while also capitalising on a rare off day from last-four opponent Iga Swiatek.
A battle with Barty on home soil is a completely different test and it is easy to see why the Australian is 1/5 to prevail and 2/5 for a seventh consecutive straight-set win.
With a straight-set likely, bettors can consider backing the match to feature under 20.5 games.
None of Barty’s Australian Open assignments have hit that total and only one has surpassed 17 games, so a bet on the unders is well worth considering.
Collins is 19/5 to spoil the Barty party but on recent evidence it is difficult to envisage that happening here.
*All odds correct at time of writing.