UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly
One of the most famous Grand Slams is about to start and the American players at the Australian Open are hoping to take their chances this year. For the first time in the last few years, Americans have a real chance to go to the end with some exciting prospects and more experienced players.
Since the 1970s, the Americans were always the main force in the world of tennis, bringing talent after talent to the top level. Connors, Sampras, McEnroe, and Agassi are just the top of the cherry. All of them competed at a high level for many years and the Australian Open was one of their favorite competitions.
The Australian Open starts on Monday 16th and will last till the 29th of January 2023. Make sure you are familiar with the timing and order of play.
History of American Players at the Australian Open
Contents
In the last 40 years, the American winners were Jimmy Connors, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, and Andre Agassi in the male circuit with Agassi winning for the last time for the Americans in 2003, 20 years ago. It would be great to see winning on this anniversary and the talents are there with the names of Fritz, Tiafoe, and Korda to make the headlines.
When it comes to women at Australian Open, the winners going back to the late 80s were often Americans, with Chris Evert, Monica Seles, and Jennifer Capriati all capable of winning before the arrival of Serena Williams who won it 6 times. The last American winner was Sofia Kenin in 2020.
Australian Open 2023: American Men’s Singles Chances and Odds
The United States just won in the final of the first United Cup and here we have seen the players on great form for the team USA. Here are the ones that stood out in the last 2 weeks and can go toward the end of the next Australian Open.
Taylor Fritz
The 25 years old from San Diego seemed to be very comfortable during his last weeks on the court. He beat Matteo Berrettini, former no. 7 and assisted the team USA in winning the first Union Cup of history. With his performances he beat both Hurcasz in the semifinal and the
Italian towering player, both with the same score, 7-6 7-6 meaning he can also maintain his nerves during the hot moments of the games. He’s currently the number 1 American player in the ATP, standing at no.9 in the world.
Showcasing his booming serve, Fritz had to break a bit of a sweat, but ultimately beat Nikoloz Basilashvili in four sets on the back of a 32-ace performance. Yes, you read that right: the American was dominant on most of his service games.
In a second round filled with upsets for top 10 players, Fritz was another victim. The American fell to young Australian Alexei Popyrin in a long, five-set battle. As expected of a match featuring two big-time servers, the encounter was filled with aces and had few breaks. Fritz only managed to take one of Popyrin’s service games, while the Aussie was slightly more effective, winning four.
The American won the first set on a tiebreak, but saw Popyrin fight back to take a 2-1 lead into the third. After saving a match point and winning another tiebreak to force the fifth set, Fritz had his service broken twice. His Australian Open campaign, thus, comes to a disappointing early end.
Odd to Win: 24/1 (+2400) @ bet365
Our Prediction: Reach the quarter-finals to level his best result at Wimbledon 2022.
Frances Tiafoe
The 24-year-old is currently American number 2 and Top 20 in the ATP ranking. Tiafoe assisted Fritz in the victory at the United Cup. He won against Zuk, a Polish player in the Top 200, and Musetti, the Italian future star in the final. He doesn’t have a great chance to go all the way at AO 2023. A great result for him would be reaching the quarter-final as his best result so far is the semifinal in the last Us Open, a few months ago.
Tiafoe survived a tricky first round matchup against German Daniel Altmeier. In a hard-fought contest, the two players exchanged aces, leading to a long and dragged out match. Tiafoe ultimately won in four sets, needing a tiebreak in the decisive game to wrap up his victory.
The 24-year old American took on 17-year old Chinese Shang Jungcheng in the second round. Jungcheng did not concede a single break in his round 1 win over Oscar Otte. But Jungcheng was no match for Tiafoe.
The American controlled the match from start to finish, with 16 break points. Jungcheng impressively saved most of them, but Tiafoe was never threatened. Tiafoe won in straight sets, advancing to take on the #18 seed Karen Khachanov in a tough third round matchup.
In the end, Khachanov came out on top. The Russian went up two sets to start the match, but Tiafoe managed to fight back and force a fourth set. Tiafoe then looked well on the way to forcing a fifth set, going up four points in the fourth set tiebreak. But Khachanov scored four unanswered points and ultimately closed out the match, eliminating Tiafoe on the day of his 25th birthday.
Odds to Win: 65/1 (+6500) @ bet365
Our Prediction: Most likely we can see him reaching the quarter-finals with a good tournament and a good draw.
Sebastian Korda
Youngest of the top 3 from the United States. Korda was born in Florida, he’s 22 years old, and surely with the potential to reach the Top 10 as he’s the ascendant star of the United States team. His latest performance in Adelaide shows the fighting spirit he gained in the last weeks, beating Bautista, Sinner, and Nakashima and reaching the final where he battled Novak Djokovic. He ended up losing 7-6 6-7 6-4 after an amazing match where he showed he ca play with the very best.
Korda defeated Chilean Cristian Garin in four sets during round 1. The young American struggled at moments with his serve, hitting multiple double faults and losing the second set in bad fashion. But Sebi ultimately got his head back in the game and comfortably won the final two sets.
Korda took on Japanese Youske Watanuki in his second round match. Despite the 3-0 score, Korda had his work cut out for him. The young American saved an impressive 15 break points out of 17. Sebi struggled with Watanuki’s aggressive style, but managed to make the most out of his opponent’s multiple unforced errors.
Korda had an enormous challenge ahead in the third round as he took on Daniil Medvedev. But the moment wasn’t too big for the young American. Korda controlled the action in the first set on the back of multiple breaks, but Medvedev fought back to force an unlikely tiebreak. The American triumphed, closing out a 1h25-long opening set. From then on, it was all Korda. Sebi scored an early break to close out the second set, and again went up a break in the third. This time, Medvedev managed to claw it back and force a second tiebreak, which Korda won to complete the upset in straights.
The 22-year old had to take on another top 10 opponent in the form Hubert Hurkacz. And yet again, Sebi managed to come out on top. Despite struggling at times, Korda did extremely well against one of the best servers on the Tour. After a less than optimal start with a poor first set, the young American hit his stride and dominated the following two sets. However, a sloppy fourth set allowed Hurkacz back into the match to force the decisive fifth set. With both players holding their service games, the match went all the way to the 10-point tiebreak. The two went toe-to-toe until Korda managed to pull away and win the final three points to close out the match and score his second win over a top 10 opponent in Melbourne.
Making his first ever quarterfinals appearance at a Slam, Sebi went up against Karen Khachanov. But the young American’s run in Melbourne came to an end. Khachanov had a better start, pulling ahead by one break in the first set. Korda fought back and managed to break Khachanov’s serve to force the tiebreak, which then went the Russian’s way. However, what looked like a back-and-forth match became heavily one-sided after Korda aggravated a persistent wrist injury. The 22-year old wasn’t able to continue and decided to retire halfway through the third set.
Despite the disappointing ending to a promising second week, Korda undoubtedly will have plenty to celebrate. Having now reached his first Slam quarterfinal, the young American looks set to take the next step in 2023.
Odd to Win: 49/1 (+4900) @ bet365
Our Prediction: It could be a long shot but we can see him building on these incredible performances and could even reach the semifinals with a bit of luck.
Tommy Paul
The 25-year old from Boca Raton continued his rise up the ATP ranking in 2022, reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon and entering the top 30 for the first time. Paul entered the major on the back of a second round exit at the 2nd Adelaide International.
After narrowly missing out on a seeded entry for the Australian Open, Paul’s campaign started off with a win in straight sets over Jan-Lennard Struff. He followed it up with his best showing thus far, coming out on top of a five-set marathon against Davidovich-Fokina. In dominant fashion, Paul wrapped up a win in straight sets over compatriot Jason Brooksby, who had just taken out Casper Ruud in the previous round.
Paul continued his great run in the fourth round. Controlling the action for most of the match, the 25-year old eliminated the #25 seed, Roberto Bautista Agut, in 3 sets to 1. Paul was absolutely lethal on his first server and on his forehand, hitting 58 winners and 11 aces. With this, Paul was set to play in his first ever Slam quarterfinal.
In an all American duel against youngster Ben Shelton, Paul used his experience to triumph over his compatriot. With powerful strikes, Paul controlled the match and consistently pushed Shelton behind the baseline. The 25-year old pressured his compatriot’s service games throughout the encounter, creating 15 break points and converting three. Paul wrapped the match up in four sets and advanced to the semifinals of a Major tournament for the first time in his career.
With a chance to become the first American to reach a Slam final in over 13 years, Paul went up against Novak Djokovic in the semis. But as most tennis fans imagined, the nine-time Australian Open champion proved to be too big of a wall for Paul to overcome. Djokovic dominated the match very much from start to finish. The Serb had a bit of a slump halfway through the first set, giving Paul a glimmer of hope and briefly allowing the American back into the match. But once Djokovic found his groove again, Paul never really had a chance to fight back, admitting it himself during the post-match interview.
It was still a fantastic run in Melbourne for the 25-year from New Jersey. Paul is set to reach a career high #19 at the next ranking update, breaking into the top 20 for the first time. There is plenty of reason to expect good from Paul things in the near future.
Odd to Win: 41/1 (+4100) @ bet365
Our Prediction: Paul has a realistic path to the semifinals, although advancing to the final would be a different story.
J.J. Wolf
The former Ohio State star is finally getting a chance to shine on the ATP Tour. Having missed out on most of the 2020 schedule as a result of travel restrictions, Wolf had to sit out most of the 2021 season due to a hernia surgery. But things finally got back on track in 2022, and the young American finished the year inside the top 60.
Wolf has been in great form in Melbourne. After shaking off the first round nerves with a 3-1 win over local Jordan Thompson, the 24-year old from Cincinnati went won to dispatch the #24 seed Diego Schwartzmann in straight sets. The following round, Wolf eliminated his compatriot Michael Mmoh again in straights to reach week 2 of a major for the first time.
He took on another fellow American and former college star, 20-year old Ben Shelton, for a spot in the quarterfinals. In a back and forth match, Wolf ultimately wasn’t able to keep up with Shelton’s strong serve. Creating only two break points and without converting either, the Cincinnati native won the first and third sets on the tiebreak. However, without a single break, he wasn’t able to fight off the former Florida Gator, who won in five sets. The result marked Wolf’s best campaign at a major yet, and he will go up the ATP Rankings at the end of the tournament.
Odd to Win: 51/1 (+5100) @ bet365
Our Prediction: Given his form at the Australian Open, Wolf could continue his dream run and maybe reach the semifinals.
Ben Shelton
Another college star, the former Florida Gator made his ATP Tour debut in 2022. Shelton showed his credentials right off the bat with a first round win over Casper Ruud at the Cincinnati Masters. The 20-year old closed out the year inside the top 100.
Shelton’s 2023 season began with a second round exit at the Auckland ASB Classic. In Melbourne, the youngster had a tough debut against Zhang Zhizen, but hit the stride in the second round with a win in straight sets over the much more experienced Nicolas Jarry. Shelton went up against Alexei Popyrin, who had just upset Taylor Fritz in the previous match. The American avenged his compatriot, coming out on top of a close match.
As mentioned above, Shelton advanced to face off Wolf for a spot in the quarterfinals. The Atlanta native made the best use of his strong serve, not giving up a single break. Shelton was also able to pressure Wolf’s service games quite often, as his powerful forehand often forced his opponent around the court.
The 20-year old took on fellow American Tommy Paul for a spot in the semifinals in what is only his second appearance at a Major. But Shelton’s Cinderella run came to an end in the final eight. Paul controlled the flow of the match, forcing Shelton away from the net and pressuring the youngster’s serve. Despite hitting an impressive 24 aces to his opponent’s seven, Shelton struggled to get his first serve in. With his strongest weapons, the serve and net game, taken away, the 20-year old struggled to keep up with the long exchanges, commiting almost twice as many unforced errors as his opponent (40 to 21). It was still a valuable experience for the rising star, who reached the quarterfinals of a Major in his first tournament outside America. Shelton is set to catapult up the ranks.
Odd to Win: 81/1 (+8100) @ bet365
Our Prediction: Being in the same quarter of the bracket as his compatriots Paul and Wolf, Shelton also has a shot at the semifinals. However, because of his inexperience, the 20-year old should be considered more of a longshot compared to the other two.
Australian Open 2023: American Women’s Singles Chances and Odds
When it comes to the women’s tournament at AO 2023, the American hopes lie with Coco Gauff, the talented 18 years old, Jessica Pegula, ranked no.3 in the world, and Madison Keys.
Jessica Pegula
At the age of 28 years, Pegula’s in the Top 3 in the world, behind Swiatek and Jabeur, which puts her in the first ranking for the upcoming Australian Open. Her best result was a quarter-final last year at the Australian Open and also at the Roland Garros in 2021. She might not be able to win the tournament, but the final is within her reach for her.
Pegula couldn’t have wished for a better start. The WTA #3 won in absolutely dominant fashion, dropping a single game on the way to a 59-minute win.
She took on Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round. As expected, the match wasn’t as easy as the first one, but Pegula still won in straight sets. After a dominant showing in the first set, the 28-year old from Buffalo struggled with Sasnovich’s strong return. The American gave up two breaks, but ultimately came out on top of the tiebreak to advance.
Pegula went up against Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in round 3. Still in shining form, the American was once again dominant. Despite struggling to hit her first serve, the American was able to take advantage from Kostyuk’s constant unforced errors. Pegula converted on six of her 12 break points while giving up a single break to close out the match in just over one hour.
The 28-year old advanced to face her toughest challenge so far, going up against Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round. And yet again, Pegula was almost flawless. Giving up a break while serving for the first set was essentially her only miscue in what was otherwise a textbook day. The American capitalized on her opponent’s errors in a match with plenty of aggressive exchanges. Krejcikova had nearly twice as many unforced errors, while Pegula was able to hit the same number of winners as the Czech. It marked Pegula’s third quarterfinals appearance in Melbourne, as well as her fourth Slam quarterfinal over the last five Majors.
With Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur both out of the tournament, the American was the highest seed heading into the final eight. She faced off against Victoria Azarenka, and the former number 1 won in straight sets. Pegula struggled with unforced errors throughout the match, unable to find a way past Azarenka. The Belarusian also controlled the action along the net, putting even more pressure on her opponent.
It’s a glass half full, half empty situation for the 28-year old from Buffalo. On one hand, Pegula has consistently made it to the quarterfinals at Majors. On the other, the American is still 0 for 5 in the final eight. With her closest competitors having dropped out much earlier, she will retain third place in the WTA rankings.
Odd to Win: 11/1 (+1100) @ bet365
Our Prediction: With a good draw, we can see Pegula in the finals
Coco Gauff
The talented young player born in Atlanta, already the winner of 2 WTA titles, is the favorite with the bookies when it comes the Americans to go all the way at AO 2023,along with Pagula. She didn’t participate in the United Cup so we don’t know her form at the moment but she’s one of the most talented players in the circuit. Rated no.6, she will put in some spectacular performances during the tournament.
Gauff had a relatively easy debut, dispatching Czech Katerina Siniakova in straight sets. Gauff was in complete control of her service games, conceding a single break while closing out the points quickly.
The young American faced a very interesting round 2 matchup against the 2021 US Open champion, Emma Raducanu. In a hard-fought contest, the pair exchanged unforced errors and breaks throughouht the encounter. Gauff ultimately held on to win in straight sets, advancing to take on fellow American Bernarda Pera in the third round.
As expected, Gauff dominated the all American encounter. The 18-year old from Atlanta controlled her service games and constantly had Pera on the ropes. Gauff created an impressive 16 break points, converting on four of them, and managed to serve seven aces. She also took full advantage of Pera’s unforced errors.
Gauff advanced to take on Jelena Ostapenko in what promised to be a close fourth round matchup. Unfortunately for the American, the former French Open champion was in inspired form. The American teen had her chances, with eight break points, but only managed to convert a single one. Ostapenko, on the other hand, managed to convert all three break opportunities. Despite serving more aces while making fewer unforced errors, Gauff still wasn’t able to keep up with Ostapenko’s winners. The young American did not improve on her previous best result in Melbourne, a fourth round appearance in 2020.
Odd to Win: 11/1 (+1100) @ bet365
Our Prediction: She can reach the final and get the trophy back to the USA, a few years after the Kenin did it.
Madison Keys
The 27 years old from Illinois was part of the United States team that just won the United Cup. Her wins both in the quarter-finals and in the final vs the Bronzetti, the Italian Top 30, helped the team to celebrate the first edition of the tournament. She’s ranked 9th in the actual WTA standings and she’s a serious challenge for the last stages of the Australian open.
Keys had a surprisingly difficult opening match against Anna Blinkova. The American had to come back from an early break in the first set and even saw Blinkova force a third set. Despite conceding a break while ahead, Keys ultimately pulled ahead and wrapped up the encounter.
She then faced off against Chinese Xiyu Wang in the second round. Keys bounced back from her uneven round 1 and dominated her opponent. The American had 17 break points, and managed to convert four of them on the way to a comfortable win.
Keys then took on Victoria Azarenka in the third round, looking to score her first win against the former number 1, but it wasn’t to be. After a dominant first set by Keys, which saw the American break Belarusian three times on the back of multiple winners, it was all Azarenka. Keys struggled with double faults, while Azarenka continued to move the American around the court. In the end, Keys fell in three sets and now faces a steep drop in the rankings.
Odd to Win: 24/1 (+2400) @ bet365
Our Prediction: She can go far with a bit of luck and a good draw, but quarter-finals seem the most realistic for Keys
Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!
