2024 Australian Open Best Bets – Day 2
The 2023 tennis season feels like it ended just yesterday, but the 2024 Australian Open is here. There’s going to be tons of high-level action in Melbourne Park over the next few weeks, and that presents all sorts of opportunities for bettors. Throughout the course of the 2024 tennis season, VSiN will have you covered with daily best bet write-ups for some of the biggest events of the year. That starts with the 2024 Australian Open, and we’re tackling the action for January 14 and 15 here.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts are betting!
2024 Record: 12-9 (+4.12 units)
Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Ben Shelton
I’m not a Shelton hater by any means, but I do think the American is a little further away than people think. Sure, he has unmatched velocity when it comes to his serve and forehand, but he also needs to grow a lot when it comes to tennis IQ. That will come with more and more matches played, and so will a more dominant service game. For as much power as he gets on his serve, he’s still not a top-10 server in the men’s game. Given all of that, I do think this is a tough draw for Shelton. Bautista Agut isn’t far from being completely washed, but he’s still a smart player and has a steady baseline game. He’s going to ask a lot of questions of his young opponent here, and I think he’s going to push him to the limit. That’s why I’m essentially taking him to win two sets here, but I really wouldn’t be surprised if this is one of the bigger opening-round upsets we see. This is just the safer way to attack it, as Bautista Agut is 35 and can easily run out of steam late.
Bet: Bautista Agut +1.5 Sets (+125)
Matteo Berrettini vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
We haven’t seen Berrettini since he was forced to retire from his match at the 2023 US Open, but he’s not somebody I’m worried about when it comes to form. Berrettini is one of the best servers in the world, and that weapon will give him a chance in any given match. But that’s especially true of a meeting with Tsitsipas, who is another big server. I just see this match being one that features multiple lengthy sets, and possibly multiple tiebreakers. So, I like Berrettini on the game spread, but I’m also sprinkling the moneyline. There isn’t a top-10 player with a shakier game than Tsitsipas these days, so he’s fully capable of getting bounced early.
Bet: Berrettini +4.5 Games (-112 – 1.5 units) & Berrettini ML (+290 – 0.5 units)
Taylor Townsend vs. Paula Badosa
Badosa was once one of the best players in the women’s game, and there’s a shot she gets back there eventually. But Badosa lost her first match in nearly five months, dropping a three-set battle with Bernarda Pera in Adelaide last week. I just think she’s extremely vulnerable right now, as she hasn’t played much tennis and must be somewhat low on confidence. Meanwhile, Townsend is an extremely tricky player to play. She has a great serve-and-volley game, which is not something you see very much anymore. So, it’s hard for opponents to prepare for her. She also plays with a contagious energy, so she could very well get the crowd in her corner here. Overall, I just wouldn’t be surprised if she pushes Badosa, so I’m taking her to win a set.
Bet: Townsend +1.5 Sets (-140)
