Australian Open multi picks & market news – Day 6

BOOKMAKERS are reporting steady support for Nick Kyrgios in outright betting for the 2018 Australian Open.

The young Aussie plunged from +1600 to +1100 in the week leading up to the tournament, and that trend has continued.

Kyrgios is now a +900 fancy for the men’s singles crown after negotiating the first two rounds without dropping a set.

That puts him on the fourth line of betting, behind Roger Federer (+180), Rafael Nadal (+320) and Novak Djokovic (+600).

Elina Svitolina has emerged as the +450 favourite in a women’s draw that no longer features Garbine Muguruza, Venus Williams, Johanna Konta, or Coco Vandeweghe.

Top seed Simona Halep is also well backed at +650, while Angelique Kerber has joined Caroline Wozniacki and Karolina Pliskova at +700.

But the big mover is Madison Keys, whose odds have almost halved into +1100.

Ashleigh Barty (+2500) is the last Aussie lady standing.

Several of those big names – and plenty more besides – will be in action on a jam-packed Saturday schedule at Melbourne Park.

Australian Open multi special at Sportsbet

• Barty to beat Osaka
• Zverev to beat Chung
• Del Potro to beat Berdych
• Sharapova to beat Kerber

+645 at Sportsbet.com.au

Best odds for our multi picks are brought to you by Sportsbet, which has a cash-back bonus in play for the first week of the Australian Open.

Pick four or more legs from either singles draw and the bookies will pay back up to $50 in bonus bets if only one leg fails.

For example, let’s say we drop $50 on our four-leg multi as listed above.

If Barty loses and the other three tips get up, we get our $50 back in bonus cash.

Ashleigh Barty vs. Naomi Osaka

Barty (18) – -294.12
Osaka – +218

Australia’s last hope in the women’s singles has had a testing run into the third round.

After a tough opener against Aryna Sabalenka, Barty then had to rally from a set down against the hard-hitting Camila Giorgi.

Osaka has had a much easier time of it, defeating both Kristina Kucova and Elena Vesnina in straight sets.

The big question is whether Barty will be worn in, or worn out.

Although rankings often mean little in women’s tennis, we are backing the 18th seed to progress.

Hyeon Chung vs. Alexander Zverev

Chung – +154
Zverev (4) – -192.31

South Korea’s top-ranked male player is looking to complete a rare double.

Chung walked over Mischa Zverev in the first round and now has the opportunity to knock out the German journeyman’s little brother.

There is no doubting the form lines after a dominant victory over this year’s Sydney International winner, Daniil Medvedev.

The younger Zverev has not quite hit top gear, but perhaps that makes the world number four all the more dangerous.

Expect a lively affair with the favourite winning out over four sets.

Tomas Berdych vs. Juan Martin del Potro

Berdych (19) – +114
Del Potro (12) – -140.85

If you can watch only one Australian Open match this weekend, make it this one.

These are two of the strongest lads on tour, so we should see some monster hitting at both ends of the court.

A head-to-head record of four wins apiece in eight completed matches also suggests an even contest.

Del Potro has enjoyed a better preparation, which is why we are leaning towards the big Argentine.

Either way, this is an ideal opportunity to exploit William Hill’s Chase the Ace bonus.

Angelique Kerber vs. Maria Sharapova

Kerber (21) – -140.85
Sharapova – +114

This is the best matchup of the women’s draw so far.

After sliding down the rankings last year, Kerber has kicked off 2018 in very close to career-best form.

Not far behind her is Sharapova, who has looked as dangerous as ever in her first Australian Open since serving a lengthy doping ban.

The Russian holds a 4-3 advantage in the head-to-head stakes and has won both of her encounters with Kerber on hard courts.

That, combined with superior odds, makes Sharapova a very attractive prospect.