The 2023 Australian Open is here, with the main draw kicking off at Melbourne Park on Monday. The sun is set to be shining and it shapes as a massive day of tennis.
Our tennis "Ace" himself, Steve, is back to take a look at two women’s match-ups for day one, and gives us his best bets for both below so why not have a dabble on his tennis tips!
Also don't forget to check out our Australian Open futures bets article for some predictions about overall winners!
2023 Australian Open - Day 1 Betting Tips
Monday, January 16th 2023
Iga Swiatek vs Jule Niemeier
It’s a rematch from the 2022 US Open here to kick things off on the night session on Rod Laver Arena, and Iga Swiatek, a semi finalist here last year, will be looking to kick off her campaign with a strong performance here. Swiatek has received some interesting publicity over the last week or so, and after a loss to Jessica Pegula in the United Cup, has found herself drifting in the outright market for the tournament. While it is justified a touch by the tricky draw that lays ahead, I don’t feel as though Jule Niemeier is as much of a threat here as many may think.
Niemeier got the jump on Swiatek at the US Open, taking the first set 6-2 and leading by a break in the second set as well. Swiatek steadied the ship, took the second set, and wrapped things up with a bagel in the decider, and continued on her merry way to the title at Flushing Meadows. As a result of that match-up, there should be absolutely no surprises for Swiatek tonight, and she is likely to be aided by the night session conditions here.
The loss to Pegula last week was slightly concerning, however Swiatek certainly has excuses. She had to make the quick transition from the courts in Perth to Sydney, where Pegula had played all week, and by all reports there were certainly some difference in how the courts were playing. Niemeier’s form has been a little disappointing in the back end of 2022 and in the beginning of 2023, and I just question her ability to threaten Swiatek based on form and the conditions. I will take the -6.5 games for a unit.
Swiatek -6.5 games vs Niemeier
$1.89 (1 unit)
Caty McNally vs Laura Pigossi
Caty McNally has gone from a large underdog to a heavy favourite in the blink of an eye, all due to the withdrawal of Paula Badosa from the tournament. As the tournament draw had already taken place and everyone had already found their spot in the draw, Badosa was replaced by a lucky loser, Laura Pigossi. This is an incredibly fortunate turn of events for McNally, who produced some very impressive tennis in the back end of 2022 at ITF and 125k level to push her ranking from 150 to back inside the Top 100 and part of the Australian Open main draw. She lost a tight three-setter to Bonaventure in Auckland, which looks to stack up as reasonably solid form, and she should be far too strong for Pigossi in the conditions. Pigossi lacks firepower to be able to hold serve comfortably, which lends itself to a touch more confidence when opposing her with a decent sized handicap here. Pigossi is 11-14 on hardcourt in the last 12 months, 0-5 versus top 100 ranked players, and averaged 2.6 games per set through those loses, to players I would back McNally to beat in her current form. Happy to make a small play on the -5.5 games.
McNally -5.5 games vs Pigossi
$2.00 (0.75 units)
