Ricky Dimon
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Second-round action at the Australian Open gets underway on Wednesday. Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are among those taking the court in the top half of the men’s draw that has been vacated by world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. There is a big opportunity awaiting Nadal, Alcaraz and everyone else. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, Ashleigh Barty, Naomi Osaka, Belinda Bencic and Amanda Anisimova are continuing their campaigns.
Let’s take a look at the best bets to be made.
Parlay: Rafael Nadal -2.5 sets over Yannick Hanfmann and Sebastian Korda over Corentin Moutet (+101)
Rafael Nadal dominated his opening contest 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 at the expense of Marcos Giron. Now the 2009 Aussie Open champion faces an opponent in Yannick Hanfmann who had never won a match in the main draw of a Grand Slam prior to this fortnight. Another straight-set beatdown is almost surely in store for Nadal.
Meanwhile, Korda was disrespected by the oddsmakers in his first-round match against Cameron Norrie. I took advantage of the American’s underdog status and that was a best bet winner on Monday. Now he is a -205 favorite over Corentin Moutet, but that number should be even more extreme. Korda will likely have way too much firepower for the Frenchman.
Carlos Alcaraz -2.5 sets over Dusan Lajovic (+100)
Alcaraz has occasionally been touted as the next Nadal. That is obviously unfair to everyone involved in such a comparison, but the point that Alcaraz is expected to be a great player in the future is right on the money. In fact, he is already becoming great. The 18-year-old Spaniard is up to No. 31 in the rankings thanks in part to a quarterfinal run at the 2021 U.S. Open. He is still in fine form and following an offseason in which he clearly put in some serious weight-room work, Alcaraz erased Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 on Monday. Lajovic is coming off a tough five-setter against Marton Fucsovics — not ideal preparation for this one. Alcaraz should roll.
Amanda Anisimova +3 games over Belinda Bencic (-120)
Amanda Anisimova was almost out of the tournament right away. The 2019 French Open semifinalist was down by a set and a break against qualifier Arianne Hartono before storming back for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory. With a new lease on life at Melbourne Park, I expect her to settle down and start turning in better, more consistent performances. Bencic is obviously a difficult opponent, but the Tokyo Olympics gold medal winner has cooled off since last summer. Anisimova won a smaller tournament in Melbourne two weeks ago, so look for her to keep the momentum going at the same venue. The money line is also a strong play, but +3 games is obviously safer.
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