Australian Open Outright Tips: Shelton and Anisimova Offer Melbourne value
The first Grand Slam tournament of the tennis year is almost here and it promises to be a fascinating Australian Open in both the men’s and women’s singles.
Italy’s Jannik Sinner goes hunting for a third consecutive Melbourne title and his fifth Grand Slam overall, at the age of just 24.
Madison Keys is back to defend the title she won 12 months ago, having thwarted Aryna Sabalenka’s attempt to win three Australian Open titles in a row.
Tip 1 - Ben Shelton to win Men’s Singles @ 90/1
It’s no surprise to see world number two Sinner as the odds-on favourite to lift the trophy again, when you consider his formline in Melbourne.
The Italian, who has played in the Australian Open on six occasions, made the final of every Grand Slam in 2025.
Three of those finals saw him face Carlos Alcaraz, with the world number one only failing to make the last two in Australia.
The first slam of the year can often throw up a surprise, with the likes of Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Dominic Thiem reaching the final in the last five years.
One player who has shown a liking for the Melbourne hard-courts is Ben Shelton, with the American making the quarters and semi-finals in two of his three appearances.
Last year, the 23-year-old won more Grand Slam matches than he had previously done in a calendar year (13) and that included making the last-four in Australia.
The man from Georgia was seeded 21st last year and eventually bowed out after defeat to Sinner, who crucially won the first set on a tie-break.
You have to go back to 2003 for the last time an American won a men’s Grand Slam singles title, when Andy Roddick claimed the US Open.
Shelton has both the power and court coverage to challenge at the very top and being a lefty could also help his cause in latter-stage matches that can often be tight.
The US number one flew Down Under early to start his preparation, taking part in the ASB Classic in Auckland as part of his build-up - something he also did 12 months ago.
Tip 2 - Amanda Anisimova to win Women’s Singles @ 7/1
There have been nine different champions of the Australian Open women’s singles in the last 10 years, with Aryna Sabalenka the only repeat winner.
The competitive nature of the women’s game means there is often major value in the outright markets, with this month’s tournament no different.
Defending champion Madison Keys is a massive 33/1 to lift the trophy again 12 months on, while 2021 winner Naomi Osaka is available at 25/1.
Our selection is a player looking for her first Grand Slam title, with Amanda Anisimova knocking on the door in the last year.
The American reached the finals at both Wimbledon and the US Open last year and has reached the fourth round in Melbourne on three separate occasions.
Anisimova lost to Emma Raducanu in the second round in 2025, but she was unseeded last year and this year should have a much better draw.
The 24-year-old will be the fourth seed and her performances in London and New York will have given her the confidence to go a step further.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change