2025 Australian Open First Round Picks: Top Value Games to Bet On

The First Round of the Australian Open refers to the opening set of matches in the main draw of the tournament. It marks the beginning of the competition for both the ATP (men’s) and WTA (women’s) tours. Players who have successfully made it through the qualifying rounds, along with direct entrants (based on their rankings or wildcard invitations), face off in the first round.

In the First Round, each match is a single-elimination contest, meaning that the winner advances to the Second Round, while the loser is eliminated from the tournament. This round typically features a mix of high-ranked players and emerging talents, creating exciting matchups and opportunities for betting, with surprises and upsets often occurring.

For example, in the 2024 Australian Open, top seed Novak Djokovic faced a tough opponent in his First Round match, but ultimately advanced with ease. However, there were also notable upsets such as unseeded players like Thanasi Kokkinakis or Emma Raducanu knocking out higher-ranked opponents in the early stages, which shocked many tennis fans and presented betting opportunities. These early-round results can dramatically shift the dynamics of the tournament, especially when a well-known player is eliminated early, making Betting Australian Open First Round picks highly exciting and full of value.

For both fans and bettors, the First Round is an exciting time as players start their journey toward the prestigious Australian Open title.

Each match can be unpredictable, and the potential for upsets creates an atmosphere full of anticipation and betting opportunities.

For the latest Australian Open odds, analysis, and expert picks, check out our Tennis News section.

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ATP & WTA Lines: 2023 Australian Open Predictions & Betting Opportunities for Monday, Jan. 16th

The 2023 Australian Open got underway Sunday night U.S. time, and Monday afternoon Australian time. The first couple of rounds are unique from a betting perspective, as the big-name players are always wildly heavy favorites. There is just no point in betting on Novak Djokovic -25000 or another top seed at -700 or -1000 in the first round as they cruise to straight-set wins.

Instead, look for some of the matches involving younger players, lower seeds, or players looking for some redemption. Let’s take a look at some of the top Australian Open Betting opportunities at MyBookie for Monday. 

Laylah Fernandez -155 

After reaching the top 15 and making the U.S. Open Finals in 2021, it has been a tough 18 months for Leylah Fernandez, who is currently ranked 40th. Fernandez broke her foot in the French Open Quarterfinals last spring and returned for the U.S. Open, losing in the second round. 

Cornet reached her first-ever grand slam quarterfinal last year in Melbourne. But the 32-year-old has four opening match losses at the Australian Open, and with a ranking of 34, this matchup is pretty even. Fernandez won their only previous matchup 6-2, 6-3, and should win again on Monday night. 

Anastasia Potapova +100

Sloane Stephens has lost in the first round in the Australian Open in three straight appearances and six of the last seven. These two have never met on the WTA tour, but their rankings are similar, with Stephens at 36 and Anastasia Potapova at 45. Stephens hasn’t made it past the third round of a slam on hard courts since the 2019 Aussie Open.

Potapova reached the third round at the 2021 Australian Open and made two finals in 2022, winning one. With her youth and conditioning, she is at good value to take down Stephens at +100.

Jordan Thompson +131

Jordan Thompson will get a nice boost from the Australian crowd as he plays at home against American J.J. Wolf. Thompson is ranked 83rd but has won three first-round matches at the Australian Open in his career. He reached the second round of the U.S. Open and Wimbledon last yearWolf reached his highest-ever ranking of 56 in October and has never played in the main draw of any Grand Slam other than the U.S. Open. These two have never met so give the Australian an advantage on home soil at plus odds. 

Veteran Underdogs

If you like bigger odds on veteran players, take a look at Andy Murray and Dominic Thiem, who are both +235 to win in the first round. Both have been saddled with injuries in recent years but have had success at Grand Slams, especially this one. 

Murray is a five-time finalist at the Australian Open, but multiple injuries have sidetracked his career the last five years. He won the first-round match in Melbourne last year and made the third round of the U.S. Open, where he lost to his opponent this week, Matteo Berrettini. Playing at Rod Laver Arena, Murray will be a sentimental favorite in what could be his last appearance in Melbourne. 

Thiem is a wild card entry who will face Andrey Rublev, the No. 5 seed. Thiem lost in the 2020 final in Melbourne, but injuries to his wrist and finger have kept him from playing in four of the last six slams. Thiem is 2-4 lifetime against Rublev, who made the quarters at the U.S. Open in 2022 but lost in the third round of the Australian Open last year. 

Rublev is 0-2 so far this year, and Thiem hasn’t played in 2023. Expect Thiem to have the crowd support as he goes after the upset. 

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2020 Australian Open Round 1 Odds, Preview & Picks

The 2020 Australian Open Round 1 continues on Monday and Tuesday with great matchups in both women’s singles and men’s singles. A couple of key battles take place on the women’s side when Maria Sharapova and Amanda Anisimova attempt to keep their Aussie Open title hopes alive. On the men’s side, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga faces a serious challenger in young Alexei Popyrin on Tuesday. Check out analysis and picks for 8 of the top Australian Open Round 1 matchups on Monday and Tuesday!

Event Info

When: January 20th – 21st
Where: Melbourne Park

Monday, Jan. 20th

Yulia Putintseva vs Su-Wei Hseih

2020 Australian Open Odds: Putintseva -114 / Hseih -114

Putintseva struggled in her last tournament. She didn’t make it out of the first round, falling to Ajla Tomljanovic. Su-Wei Hseih lost to ranked Aryna Sabalenka in her last tournament played. She’s 9 years older than Putintseva, though. The younger player has the edge.

Tennis Betting Pick: Yulia Putintseva

Liudmila Samsonova vs Jelena Ostapenko

2020 Australian Open Odds: Samsonova -113 / Ostapenko -116

21-year-old Samsonova played great at the Brisbane International. She fell to Petra Kvitova in Round 2. But Kvitova is one of the Top 5 players on the women’s side. Ostapenko hasn’t hit the courts this year. Give Samsonova the nod.

Tennis Betting Pick: Liudmila Samsonova

Donna Vekic vs Maria Sharapova

2020 Australian Open Odds: Vekic -163 / Sharapova +123

Donna Vekic marched to the Adelaide International quarterfinals in her last. Maria Sharapova fell in the first round to Jennifer Brady at the Brisbane International. Sharapova fought hard, though. She can upset Vekic.

Tennis Betting Pick: Maria Sharapova

Amanda Anisimova vs Zarina Diyas

2020 Australian Open: Anisimova -238 / Diyas +174

Anisimova made it all the way to the ASB Classic Finals in her last tournament played. Serena beat the 18-year-old American 6-1, 6-1. Amanda should have learned from the experience of facing the greatest of all time. She figures to handle Diyas with ease.

Tennis Betting Pick: Amanda Anisimova

Tuesday, Jan. 21th

Alexei Popyrin vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

2020 Australian Open Odds: Popyrin +131 / Tsonga -175

Laslo Djere beat Alexei Popyrin in the first round at the Adelaide International. Popyrin has a chance to get a win over Tsonga early on Tuesday, though. Tsonga bowed out in Round 2 at the Qatar Exxon Mobil in his last tournament played. In 2019, Popyrin showed signs that he could break out in 2020. Back Alexei.

Tennis Betting Pick: Alexei Popyrin

Nick Kyrgios vs Lorenzo Sonego

2020 Australian Open: Kyrgios -769 / Sonego +434

Nick Kyrgios is not in great form. Lorenzo Sonego lost to Laslo Djere in the first round at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. In his next tournament played, Herbert Hurkacz knocked Sonego out in the first round at the ASB Classic. But Sonego’s worth backing at the odds. Why? Because Kyrgios hasn’t stepped it up in recent matches.

Tennis Betting Pick: Lorenzo Sonego

Pablo Cuevas vs Gilles Simon

2020 Australian Open: Cuevas +171 / Simon -232

Simon is the favorite, but Cuevas has a good shot at the win. Pablo beat Reilly Opelka 5-7, 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (7-2) at the Adelaide International before losing in the second round. A few days of rest should have him ready for Simon.

Tennis Betting Pick: Pablo Cuevas

Kirsten Flipkens vs Karolina Muchova

2020 Australian Open: Flipkens +225 / Muchova -322

Flipkens fell to Shuai Zhang 6-4, 3-6, 2-6 at the Hobart International in her last. 20-seed Karolina Muchova hasn’t lost in the first round in her last couple of tournaments played. She’s a dark horse to take the Australian Open and should beat Flipkens on Tuesday.

Tennis Betting Pick: Karolina Muchova