Is Australian Open favourite Novak Djokovic a good bet?

Our tennis team have their say on whether hot favourite Novak Djokovic will land the first men's Grand Slam event of the season

Adrian Humphries

For those punters who place their faith in ranking and tournament form, it is difficult to see who can stop world number one Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open this year.

The guy loves the place - he won the men's singles six times between 2008 and 2016 - and fellow greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal only had the chance to dominate in Melbourne again when Djokovic and Andy Murray experienced injury woes.

A top younger player could prove the biggest threat to Wimbledon and US Open champ Djokovic but Alexander Zverev, chief among that group, will need to have worked overtime on his fitness and stamina in order to mount a successful coup in the heat down under.

Dan Childs

Novak Djokovic got back to his best in 2018 and looks a worthy favourite to land the Australian Open title for the seventh time.

It is hard to write off Roger Federer, who is still playing at a very high level, but the Swiss hasn't landed a Grand Slam since winning in Melbourne last year.

Rafael Nadal is best swerved on his return from injury but there is scope for rising star Alexander Zverev to build on his ATP Tour finals triumph by reaching the final.

• Andy Murray handed tough Australian Open draw against Bautista Agut

Joe Champion

Novak Djokovic has been the best player in the world over the last six months but that doesn't mean he is bombproof at short prices in Melbourne.

He won the Shanghai Masters a month after tasting US Open glory but suffered defeats against Karen Khachanov in Paris and Alexander Zverev at the ATP World Tour Finals while also failing to win in Qatar last week.

Those young guns are dangers while Roger Federer is arguably at his best at this time of year and looks the best alternative to the favourite.

Liam Flin

Novak Djokovic is clear favourite at a shade of odds-against to land a record-breaking seventh Australian Open title and it is easy to see why.

Alexander Zverev sank the Serbian at the ATP World Tour Finals but he and other emerging youngsters such as Karen Khachanov are yet to make an impact in a Grand Slam tournament and the first of 2019 could come too soon for them.

Djokovic was in stellar form towards the end of the 2018 campaign, wrapping up Wimbledon and US Open titles with straight-set victories in the finals.

With injuries plaguing Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer is Djokovic’s fiercest competition, but the Serbian has won three of his four meetings with the Swiss in this event.

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