The final stages of the opening Grand Slam of the season are within sight, as just four players remain in contention in the men’s and women’s draws. A thrilling Australian Open quarterfinal round saw the exit of American hope Coco Gauff, but Ben Shelton remains in contention in the men’s event. You can find our semi-final Australian Open picks here.
Australian Open Picks
Madison Keys vs. Iga Swiatek
The final American left standing in the women’s draw is Madison Keys, but she faces a daunting challenge if she is to reach a first Australian Open final. Iga Swiatek will be the red-hot favorite, as the Pole has eased through the competition to this point.
The 23-year-old is yet to drop a set, and dropped just three games when dismantling Emma Navarro in the quarterfinal stage in straight sets. Overall, Swiatek has dropped just 14 games on her way to this stage, as she bids to reach a first Slam final Down Under.
Keys has proved to be more battle-hardened in her matches, requiring three sets in each of the last two rounds. But, it should also be noted that she has seen off more challenging opponents in the forms of Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina.
Swiatek looks hard to overlook when making Australian Open picks, as she dominates the head-to-head record with four wins to one.
Novak Djokovic vs. Alexander Zverev
Novak Djokovic remains on course for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and an eleventh Australian Open success. Despite picking up an injury in the last round, the legendary star battled back from a set down to overcome third-seed Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic won 63% of the points on his first serve, and was dominant when handed break point opportunities, converting on six from 13 attempts. The Serbian won an impressive 135 points, and kept double faults to a minimum.
Many have regarded Alexander Zverev as a Grand Slam winner of the future, reaching an impressive eight Grand Slam semi-finals since 2020. However, he has failed to make the important step in finals, losing in both appearances.
However, there is something different about the German this year, as he has looked calm and calculated on the court. That was evident once again after keeping his nerve against Tommy Paul to overcome the American. Despite being an outsider, Zverev looks like the interesting play.
Australian Open Semi-Final Picks
| Match | Pick |
|---|---|
| Paula Badosa vs. Aryna Sabalenka | Aryna Sabalenka (-315) |
| Ben Shelton vs. TBD |
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