The Australian Open is now over, but who were he winners and losers of the opening Grand Slam of the year?
It certainly was a memorable tournament, with a first home winner in the women’s singles in 44 years and a record Grand Slam success in the men’s, but as the dust settles on this year’s event in Melbourne, we have delved into the details and taken a look at what it means for the rest of the season.
Barty Underlines Superiority
It was a perfect two weeks for world number one Ashleigh Barty, as she not only became the first Australian to win the men’s or women’s singles in Melbourne since Chris O’Neil in 1978, but she did so in some style and without dropping a set throughout the tournament.
Barty’s Aussie Open success follows on from her victories at the French Open in 2019 and last year’s Wimbledon, meaning she now only needs to triumph at the US Open to complete the career Grand Slam.
Given the form she showcased in Melbourne, it would be no surprise to see the 25-year-old achieve that feat later this year – she is 4/1 to win the 2022 US Open.
Nadal Completes Record Success
If Barty’s victory in the women’s singles was memorable, then Rafael Nadal’s comeback success over Daniil Medvedev in the men’s showpiece has to go down as one of the great sporting moments.
The Spaniard was competing in just his third tournament since June due to fitness issues, but despite those concerns he was able to dig deep, not least during the final as he came from two sets down to beat world number two Medvedev 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 7-5.
That was Nadal’s first Australian Open title success since 2009, but more importantly, it was also his 21st Grand Slam title, taking him one ahead of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on the all-time list.
Nadal could extend that record further on his favourite surface, as the next Grand Slam taking place will be on the clay at the French Open, where he is priced at 1/1 to lift the title for an unprecedented 14th time.
Americans Underline Strength in Depth
It was a good couple of weeks for Americans in the women’s singles, not least Danielle Collins, who made it through to her first Grand Slam final just months after undergoing endometriosis surgery.
Compatriot Madison Keys also had a good tournament, reaching the semi-finals, while Jessica Pegula made it to the last eight and Amanda Anisimova beat defending champion Naomi Osaka before being stopped by Barty in round four.
In terms of underperformers, Osaka would have certainly hoped to have gone further than the third round, while Simona Halep had also looked in good form prior to her last-16 exit at the hands of Alize Cornet.
Third seed Garbine Muguruza was dumped out in the second round, as was Emma Raducanu – the British star was unable to match the heroics she produced en route to her memorable victory at last year’s US Open.
Medvedev Must Take Positives From Defeat
Although Sunday’s men’s singles final ultimately ended in heartbreak for Medvedev, the Russian must still take positives from his run to yet another Grand Slam showpiece.
The 25-year-old, who won the US Open in September, had been bidding to become the first man in the Open era to follow up his first Grand Slam success by winning his second in the very next tournament.
The fact Medvedev went so close to achieving that feat underlines what a world-class player he is and it would be no surprise to see him add another Grand Slam title later in the year – he is priced at 10/1 to win Wimbledon.
Alexander Zverev was the second-highest seed at the tournament, but his wait for a maiden Grand Slam success goes on after he was dumped out in the fourth round, while Andrey Rublev also underwhelmed.
Perhaps the breakthrough performance of the tournament came from Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was so impressive on his run through to the quarter finals before being edged out in five sets by Medvedev.
Auger-Aliassime has reached at least the quarter-finals on his last three Grand Slam appearances and he is another at 25/1 who may have aspirations of winning Wimbledon later in the year.
*All odds correct at time of writing
