Sportsologists

91-44-6 on tennis in 2018 up 42.63 units

18-15 on tennis in 2019 up 2.47 units

Congrats to Osaka. Not going to lie, I was worried when she dropped the second set after being up 5-3. Kvitova had not played in a 3 setter the whole tournament and I think Osaka wore her down. Osaka’s ability to jump on Kvitova’s serve in the first set tiebreak, after struggling with it for the whole set prior, was a thing of beauty. Osaka has now won back 2 back majors and will be a force in women’s tennis for the next decade or more. Osaka’s serve, mental fortitude, and movement make her the best. Osaka is the first Asian man or woman to achieve the #1 World Ranking. Congrats to Naomi!!

Djokovic at -132 for 7 units. The 53rd meeting between two of the best tennis players of all time happens in Australia tonight. Djokovic leads 27-25. Nadal hasn’t beat Djokovic on a hardcourt since the US Open in 2013 (8 meetings since then). Both players have been on the court for around 12 hours this tournament. That is a little amount of time, which shows their dominance. The Serbian has won this tournament all 6 times he has been to the semis. Nadal is 1-3 in Finals here. Djokovic is 34-0 as the top seed in this tournament. That’s silly dominant. Djokovic had only 5 unforced errors in the last round and did not even give up a break point. He tuned himself up. Novak will have to attack Nadal’s backhand with depth if he wants to win. He will. Watch Novak’s serves to Nadal’s backhand. Rafa will “struggle” with handling that shot.

Djokovic/Nadal over 40 at -140 for 4 units. Nadal hasn’t dropped his serve all tournament. This number went over the last time these two met and the last time they met here in Australia too. Nadal’s improved serve should keep him in it, but Djokovic will win in 4 or 5 sets.

91-44-6 on tennis in 2018 up 42.63 units

13-11 on tennis in 2019 down 5.72 units

Taylor Fritz is going against Roger Federer tonight. I have never liked Fritz as much as Tiafoe and other American youngsters, but his play against Monfils was fun to watch. He challenged one call and him and Monfils had a fun interaction while waiting. Fritz is 0-3 vs top 10 players in his career with a loss to Federer. In a few years he may have the ability to beat Federer, but it should still be a fun watch.

Tomas Berdych at -410 for 3 units. Schwartzman has not looked his best so far this tournament, but this isn’t his favorite surface. Berdych has looked great. Berdych hasn’t lost a set yet. Berdych has won 10 of 11 third round matches here. This would be a higher unit play, but Berdych has only played 7 matches over the past 6 months. He is 6-1 in those matches though.

Andreas Seppi at -105 for 6 units. Let me start off by saying I love Frances Tiafoe and his story. He is an uber-talented player than can be a role model and even more to young people around the World. The 5 seed Kevin Anderson was up a set and a break on Tiafoe, then Tiafoe won every set to win the match 3 sets to 1. I think Kevin Anderson’s tweaked elbow played a major role in Tiafoe winning. Tiafoe mixed up his shots and placed some great winners. The young American stepped up to the occasion. Seppi had 14 aces and 38 winners in the last round. Seppi has a 4-1 record in the third round here, with one of those wins being against Federer. Tiafoe may be more athletic and spry, but Seppi’s experience and form will get him the win.

Bautisita Agut +2.5 sets at -318 for 4 units. I like the Bautista Agut ML a lot. Karen Khachanov may be the best tennis player in the World that hardly anyone talks about. Bautista Agut just played 2 grueling 5 setters to get here. Agut’s over 8 hours of court time will catch up to him here, but not before he grabs at least a set.

Marin Cilic at -364 for 3 units. Cilic has beat Verdasco the last 5 times. Cilic is in great form. Not going to overthink this one.

91-44-6 on tennis in 2018 up 42.63 units

8-6 on tennis in 2019 down 1.77 units

Murray is sadly out, but Nadal and Federer are immortal it seems. I will enjoy watching both of them tonight. I do think Nadal has a better chance than the last few years to win his second AO title. Federer and the Joker are obviously the favorites, but I wouldn’t be shocked if a youngin like Zverev won it. The second round is usually one of my favorites because there are usually some big upsets. Last year had the most upsets at an Australian Open ever, but I think this year will be more tame… (besides all the Murray press conference and all that obviously).

Fognini won the first two sets in close tiebreaks where Munar could have won, but he kept hitting the ball into the net. Then in the third set, Munar tweaked his leg and retired to give our boy Fognini the 3-0 win. Munar left the court for treatment and Fognini started putting Munar’s racquets and stuff up for him. That packing of the bag for a fallen opponent is the type of good karma/juju I like to see in the players I bet on frequently. That is all.

Nikoloz Basilashvili -5 at -123 for 4 units. Stefano Travaglia is playing in his first main draw at the AO. Travaglia won against Andreozzi in the first round, which is mildy surprising, but Andreozzi is not a hardcourt specialist. Basilashvili has been in the best form of his life over the past 12 months. Nikoloz will be able to find a lot more baseline winners than the Italian he is facing will. Travaglia has a great serve, but Nikoloz will be able to force enough break points to win the match.

Fernando Verdasco -6 for 4 units. Radu has the talent to beat Verdasco, but Verdasco has too much experience to let that happen. The Moldovan #1 Radu Albot secure his first main draw win here by beating Michael Mmoh. Verdasco has only made it to the quarters here once, but he will take advantage of this easy draw.

Kevin Anderson -6 at -103 for 5 units. Frances Tiafoe is not in the type of form it takes to return Anderson’s serve. Anderson is 3-0 against Tiafoe. Anderson is 4-0 in the second round of this tournament. Adrian Mannarino made Anderson look bad in the second set of his last match, but then Anderson turned it on and dominated. Anderson leaves the switch on here.

Roberto Bautista Agut at -303 for 2 units. Bautista Agut hasn’t lost since October and he is 3-0 against Millman.

Schwartzman/Basilashvili/Anderson/Verdasco/Opelka/Monfils/Bautista Agut Parlay risking 2 units to win 10.24 units. Schwatzman’s return game and ability to place winners will be too much for Denis Kudla. Opelka = Isner; therefore, Opelka will beat Fabbiano. Monfils has the experience to beat Fritz.