Australian Open 2021 Predictions: Statistical Analysis of Top 7 Contenders

Countdown to the Australian Open 2021 (15 days to go):

The first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open is all set to begin in two weeks at Melbourne Park. 

Sportco analyzes the Australian Open 2021 predictions and odds of leading contenders who have a great chance to clinch the championship

Meaning of Odds - Odds of +100 on a player means for a $100 bet, a player would win $100.

1) Novak Djokovic: 

The World number 1, Djokovic has won the tournament a record 8 times in his career. In the last 10 years, he won the Australian Open 7 times. 

Having won back to back titles in 2019 and 2020, he will be the numero uno favourite to emerge victorious again in 2021. The Australian Open 2021 predictions and odds of him winning the tournament are +110. 

The stats that give Djokovic a huge edge in the Australian Open are 

2) Rafael Nadal:

Nadal won the Australian Open only once in his career in 2009. Since then, he has competed in four finals losing all of them. 

Djokovic and Dominic Thiem are the biggest challenges to his title chances. If he wins the tournament, he will become the first player in the Open era to complete the career grand slam twice and also overtake Roger Federer's record of 20 grand slams. 

The Australian Open 2021 predictions and odds of Rafa winning are +500. 

Some top stats for Nadal at Melbourne are 

3) Dominic Thiem:

Thiem finished as the runner-up in last year's edition losing to Djokovic in 5 sets after leading by two sets to one. 

It was his third grand slam final loss in a row after losing twice to Nadal in the 2018 and 2019 French Open. But, the Austrian made amends clinching the US Open last year. 

The Australian Open 2021 predictions and odds of Thiem emerging victorious are +500. 

4) Alexander Zverev:

Zverev lost in the semifinals last year to Thiem in four sets. The World number 7 reached the finals of the US Open in 2020 losing again to Thiem in five sets after leading by two sets to one. He has shown his liking for hard courts courtesy his impressive record in the Nitto ATP Finals. 

His win-loss record against Djokovic and Nadal is 2-4 and 2-5 respectively. The Australian Open 2021 predictions and odds of the German winning are +1200. 

5) Daniil Medvedev:

Medvedev lost in the fourth round to Stan Wawrinka in five sets in last year's tournament. The World number 4's best performance in 2020 was his triumph in the Nitto ATP Finals in London as the Russian defeated Djokovic, Nadal, and Thiem en route to his victory. 

His unorthodox style of play can trouble opponents. He has not crossed the fourth round in Melbourne so far and has a great chance this year to better his record. 

Medvedev has improved a lot on his volley game in recent times and is winning many points by approaching the net. The Australian Open 2021 predictions and odds of the Russian winning the tournament are +550. 

6) Stefanos Tsitsipas: 

Tsitsipas was knocked out of last year's tournament in the third round by Milos Raonic. The World number 6's best performance in Melbourne came in 2019 when he reached the semifinals. 

He has recovered fully from the leg injury after undergoing rehabilitation in London. While his attacking game and freewheeling shotmaking have paid him the dividends, he can struggle against big-serving players who possess raw power. 

The Greek's return of service becomes slow and his court positioning gets affected. The Australian Open 2021 predictions and odds of Tsitsipas claiming the title are +1200.

7) Andrey Rublev:

The Russian had a standout season last year when he won five titles. He proved his mettle both on indoor and outdoor hard courts. 

The World number 8 lost to Zverev in straight sets in the fourth round in the 2020 Australian Open. Having won 31 hard court matches last year, he was named the ATP Most Improved Player of the Year. He has a 79.5% winning percentage on hard courts, the third-best on the tour. 

Rublev will have a good feel of the conditions when he represents Russia at the upcoming ATP Cup from February 2 to 6 alongside his compatriot, Medvedev at Melbourne Park. 

The Australian Open 2021 predictions and odds of the Russian winning the tournament are +2500. 

The Next-Gen of tennis is knocking on the doors of the old guard to stake claims to become grand slam champions. The gap between them will narrow down in 2021 as a generational shift takes place. 

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