Murray, Nadal & Clijsters highlight Day 4 Australian Open Tennis Betting

Sports Betting

Day Three at the Australian Open promises to be a great one, and from the British interest point of view, we get to see Andy Murray continue his Grand Slam quest. Murray, ranked 5th in the world (and for the tournament) made relatively short work of his first round opponent, and now heads into a second round clash with Illya Marchenko from the Ukraine. This shouldn’t happen until around 8am GMT on Thursday for British tennis fans. Marchenko (who looks like he’s about 15 years old – he’s actually 23) is ranked 79th in the world, and playing in just his second Australian Open. His best and only performance in Melbourne last year, was an exit in the second round, and you would have to bet on that happening again. Andy Murray will be strong favourite to get through this one, and continue his march on towards the business end of the Grand Slam tournament. Marchenko has a professional career record of 25 wins and 27 defeats. As for Murray, he looked lose enough, and light enough on his feet in his first round match, was moving well, and pulled out some of his incredible trademark returns. There’s a hint of a new forehand weapon brewing, which should come into effect when the tougher opposition shows up. Murray is 8/1 third favourite at Paddy Power to win the Australian Open.

Andy Murray to win: 1/33 at Stan James
Illya Marchenko to win: 16/1 at SkyBet

(All following prices are for Outright Australian Open Winner Odds, not match odds)

The Rod Laver Arena, is hosting a bevy of top stars on Day Three, with Kim Clijsters (15/8 at BetFred) facing Carla Suarez Navarro from Spain, followed by Men’s number one Rafael Nadal (15/8 at BetFred) who meet Ryan Sweeting from the USA. Judging from their first round matches, there shouldn’t be too much trouble for either of them breezing their way into round three. Local hero Samantha Stosur (14/1 at Blue Square) also goes on the main court as well during the evening session there, and Juan Martin Del Potro (66/1 at SportingBet), really on his big return from injury, faces Marcos Baghdatis in the second round. It will be interesting to watch Del Potro, to see how much of his game his getting back. The former US Open Champion, lost pretty much all of 2010 to injury, just when he had the world at his feet. Jelena Jankovic (75/1 at Paddy Power), seeded 7th in the women’s tournament, but way out in the odds because of her injury problems over the latter half of last season is in action against Shuai Peng. Jankovic is one of the best players around on her day, and if she is strong and match sharp, could be a massive outside threat. 2010 Wimbledon and US Open losing finalist Vera Zvonareva (11/1 at Paddy Power), who looked very strong, and mentally focused in her opening match is in action on Day Three as well. One of the best looking, but understated matches in the Women’s second round is the one of Sorana Cirstea, a promising young Romanian, who faces 10th seed, the ever improving Shahar Peer from Israel. Should be a fascinating battle. Neither are going to win the tournament, but it looks like a great match in prospect.

If you are looking to watch live streams from Melbourne, then Bet365 are running full coverage with their tennis live streams. The Australian Open is being covered by the online bookmaker, and is well worth taking advantage of. They have updated their live in play betting console, and using it, alongside the live streams is just perfect for your tennis betting at the Grand Slam. New customers can also get a £100 free bet when they sign up as well with a sports betting account at the highly recommended online bookmaker. The Australian Open live streams require a £10 subscription, but you get that value back in a free £10 bet to use for your tennis betting from Down Under.