Outright betting tips & best Aussie picks for Wimbledon 2017

THIS time last year, people were saying Roger Federer’s days at the top were done and dusted.

It was a similar story for Rafael Nadal after years of injury complaints and erratic form.

Things have rather changed since those two faced off in a classic final at the Australian Open five months ago.

Three more high-profile titles later, Federer enters Wimbledon 2017 as the outright +225 favourite with online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au.

Nadal, having won his 10th French Open a few weeks back, is hot on his heels at +400 odds.

Sharing the second line with Rafa is Andy Murray.

The defending champion was very well liked in the early going, but punters have started looking elsewhere after his shock first-up exit to Jordan Thompson at Queen’s.

Also out of sorts this season is Novak Djokovic – the last of the big contenders at +600.

It appears those four are drawing all the money, because it is a big leap from there to Milos Raonic at +1800.

He had shared a +1400 quote with Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, who has blown out to +2500 amid concerns over his chronic hip injury.

As was the case at Roland Garros, the absence of Serena Williams has opened up the women’s draw considerably.

Petra Kvitova (+500) and Karolina Pliskova (+550) are the standouts, locked in a fluctuating tussle for the top line.

Next best is Johanna Konta at +1200, ahead of Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber, Garbine Muguruza and Venus Williams in a tight-knit group at +1400.

Jelena Ostapenko – the surprise winner of the French Open – is paying +1600.

Australia’s top lady is Ashleigh Barty (+3300), who lost to Kvitova in the AEGON Classic final the other week.

Roger Federer betting specials

• Federer or Nadal double chance – +100 at Sportsbet
• To win without losing a set – +1000
• Most tournament aces – +1250

It is hard to look past the Fed Express.

The veteran Swiss took some flak for skipping Roland Garros, but the decision to prioritise his favourite event could pay huge dividends.

Since his fairytale run at the Australian Open, Federer has conquered Indian Wells, Miami and Halle.

That’s four titles in six tournaments played this season.

In fact, Roger has lost only twice since his semi-final exit at Wimbledon last year.

There is nobody better on the turf of the All England Club, so a fit and firing Federer should be a real chance to title number eight.

Best bets in the women’s singles

• Kvitova or Williams double chance – +275 at Sportsbet
• Pliskova or Konta double chance – +320
• Ostapenko or Halep double chance – +600

The double chance markets at Sportsbet.com.au are an attractive proposition for those brave (or stupid) enough to bet on the Wimbledon women’s draw.

Sportsbet has suspended betting on the Kvitova-Pliskova option, but there are plenty of decent options still that feature one of the favourites.

Venus has won Wimbledon five times and should fancy her chances of a run to the final without the younger Williams around the spoil the party.

Konta reached the final in Nottingham a few starts back and will enjoy plenty of home support, so she is worth a look as well.

There is good money to be made in the eventuality that Ostapenko and Halep defy the odds to tee up back-to-back Grand Slam title fights.

Best Australian picks for Wimbledon 2017

Nick Kyrgios – +1400 at Sportsbet

Even with his fitness concerns, Kyrgios is far and away Australia’s best hope in the men’s draw. We know what he can do when he digs in and stays healthy. We also know that neither of those attributes are strengths of Nicky’s game. See if he can get through two sets before you even think about putting some money down.

Ash Barty – +3300 at Sportsbet

While Kyrgios is the best hope for the men, Barty may be the most dangerous of all the Aussies at Wimbledon this year. She reached the last eight at both Nottingham and Birmingham, losing to an eventual finalist in one and the champion in the other. Keep a close eye on the 21-year-old former cricketer.

Thanasi Kokkinakis – +20000 at Sportsbet

Kokkinakis stunned the galleries at Queen’s when he dumped out Raonic in the first round. Then he spoiled it all by losing to Daniil Medvedev for the second week running. The 21-year-old is not a realistic chance to reach the latter stages, but he might provide good value to sneak through the early rounds.