Day 4 of the Australian Open is here, and it is filled with some exciting matches! The Australian Open is back, and Day 4 bring us another big slate! This large 26-game slate is filled with some of games best players, but who will come out on top and move one step closer to the prestigious title?
The players listed below can be used in any contest, whether it’s for cash or GPP. I personally like to use the same lineup in both, since the goal is to pick players who are going to win their match. If you choose to go down the route of playing the “stars and scrubs” strategy, you might be forced to choose players who are bound to get crushed. This strategy is very risky as upsets happen quite often in tennis, and if one of your most expensive players gets beat you have a very low chance to cash. Lets get into my top 5 plays for the slate!
Note: Tennis is available on DraftKings ONLY. The Australian Open is best of 5 set scoring for men’s players, keep that in mind when picking players!
Naomi Osaka $10,600
Naomi Osaka was last year’s breakthrough player, winning the US Open at the end of the season by defeating Serena Williams in that controversial finals match. Currently ranked number 4 in the world, Osaka is looking to win back to back major titles. Her first round match was an amazing performance, winning 96% of her first serve points, she breezed through into the second round. Tonight she faces off against Tamara Zidansek, world number 78 from Slovenia. Zidansek had a tough first round match, facing 16 break points, but somehow managed to escape. Osaka should have no issue winning this match in straight sets.
Alexander Zverev $10,500
Alexander Zverev is on his way to that first grand slam title, and his second round matchup looks to be in his favor once again. After winning his first round match in straight sets, Zverev gets Jeremy Chardy in the second round. Chardy is one of the games best grass court players, but a hard court match against Alexander Zverev will be too much to handle. Chardy’s serve may be able to keep him in the match and make it competitive, but Zverev should be able to add another 3-set win to his resume.
Daniil Medvedev $10,000
Daniil Medvedev is becoming one of the game’s top players. He has the skill and ability to beat any player on tour, and he’s getting better and better as each tournament goes by. Medvedev had an excellent first round match, defeating Lloyd Harris 6-1 6-2 6-1. If Medvedev can keep that intensity up, it will be hard to stop him. Tonight he faces off against world number 83, Ryan Harrison. Harrison is wildly inconsistent, but when his serve is on it is hard to defend it. Harrison faced 0 break points in his first round match, but tonight’s opponent is at another level. The last time these 2 played each other was in August on a hard court, and Medvedev won in straight sets. I can see the same result happening today.
Borna Coric $9,200
Borna Coric is on his way to becoming a top 10 player on the ATP tour. Sitting at the number 12 ranking, Coric is looking to add a grand slam title to his resume. Coric doesn’t have many weaknesses in his game, he can serve very well and he’s one of the games top returners. Coric won his first round match in straight sets in just 2 hours, and he’ll have a lot left in the tank for today’s matchup. He’ll face off against Marton Fucsovics, world number 38 from Hungary. Fucsovics struggled in his first round match against one of the worst hard court players on the ATP tour, and if he continues that level of play he will fall in 3 sets to Coric. Borna Coric should win this match in straight sets, at a somewhat cheap price.
Hyeon Chung $8,000
Hyeon Chung pulled off an amazing comeback on Monday night, losing the 1st 2 sets against Bradley Klahn then winning the next 3 in a dominant fashion. Chung made it to the semi-finals of last year’s Australian Open, so he cannot afford to go out early and drop drastically in the rankings. He has struggled this year outside of those last 3 sets of his last match, but hopefully that puts a spark in his confidence. Tonight he faces off against Pierre Hugues Herbert, the world number 55 from France. Herbert is a master at the serve and volley tactic, and it can really frustrate some players. Chung will have to find a way to counter it while also being able to hold his own service games like he did in his first round match. I can see this game going 4 or 5 sets, but Chung should come out on top.
Possible upset/punt plays:
Shuai Zhang $6,900
Johanna Konta $6,500
Stan Wawrinka $6,000
Anastasia Potapova $5,200
Marius Copil $5,000
Eugenie Bouchard $4,700
Taro Daniel $4,500
Alexei Popyrin $4,200
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga $4,000 (yes, he can pull off the upset)
Good luck!!
Written by: Caleb Alderman
Twitter: @CMGCaleb_
