Finding winners in the third round of the Australian Open

Australian Open third round matches, Friday, January 22, watch on Seven Network

Nick Kyrgios ($2.14) vs. Tomas Berdych ($1.71)

Roger Federer ($1.13) vs. Grigor Dimitrov ($6.05)

WHILE he is still not far from controversy, Aussie bad boy Nick Kyrgios has emerged as a serious contender for the Australian Open.

Rated a $51 chance at the start of the tournament, Kyrgios is now in to $31 with sportsbet.com.au, behind only the big four in Novak Djokovic ($1.57), Andy Murray ($6), Roger Federer ($11) and Stanislas Wawrinka ($11).

It is esteemed company, but it is also deserved, the athletic boy from Canberra beginning to show he will be a force to be reckoned with for years on the world tennis stage, provided he can keep his head screwed on.

Hell, he made the quarter finals last year as a 19 year old and if legend Jim Courier says you have the best second serve in the game – some of those fire down at 200 kilometres an hour – you know you’re doing very well.

In round one, the 29th seed did away with Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2, but would end up paying dearly for more antics on the court.

After dropping serve from 30-love up, he was clearly not happy, and, after missing the chance to break straight back, he dropped an an F-bomb, which was met with an audible obscenity penalty by the umpire.

That later turned into a $4340 fine form the sport’s governing body, just adding another indiscretion in a long line of them.

In the second round, Kyrgios clobbered Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7-2), but this one was not without drama either, the 20 year old complaining that his new Nike shirts were too small.

With plenty of fans in Australia, the match between Kyrgios and Berdych is set to be a raucous occasion.

“They all love Berdych as well, he’s got a massive fan base,” Kyrgios said.

“He is one of the greatest players playing right now so it’s going to be a really good match.”

But he’s not all that worried by the Czech star, crediting improvement in his movement for his solid play.

“I feel that’s the biggest part of my game that’s improved from last year,” he said.

“I feel that when I’m in the backcourt in a rally, there’s not many balls that can get past me.

”It helps my game so much.

“It feels like I don’t have to be so aggressive – I don’t feel like I have to force so much, I can sit back a bit.“

Berdych had to tough out the first set in his tournament opener against Yuki Bhambri, before dropping just three games in the next two sets to take it out 7-5, 6-1, 6-2.

He then smoked Mirza Basic 6-4, 6-0, 6-3, in a performance that will ensure he is well rested ahead of the clash with Kyrgios.

Predictions

Match result: Nick Kyrgios wins ($2.14 with sportsbet.com.au)

Correct set score: Nick Kyrgios wins 3-2 ($5.50 with sportsbet.com.au)

To win the first set: Nick Kyrgios ($2.01 with sportsbet.com.au)

Head-to-head multi:

Nick Kyrgios ($2.14) to defeat Tomas Berdych ($1.71)

Novak Djokovic ($1.005) to defeat Andreas Seppi ($34)

Roger Federer ($1.13) to defeat Grigor Dimitrov ($6.05)

$2.43 with Sportsbet.com.au

We all know Kyrgios now. He is immature, but uber talented. He plays on the edge and, while that can be seen as being to his detriment, it might just explain why he is so good. But are we getting sucked in by the patriotism of supporting an Australian? Berdych is a very, very good tennis player. The pair has never played each other, but the Czech, like Kyrgios, is among the most powerful men on the tour, with a serve, forehand and backhand the envy of many. This is not a great match up for Kyrgios, but we’re still going to back him in to cause an upset. Neither man has dropped a set in the tournament yet, but that will change tomorrow. We think this has the makings of an epic, with the volatile Kyrgios set to draw on everything to eke out a five set win. You’ll get $2.43 about a multi that features Kyrgios with both Federer and Djokovic with sportsbet.com.au. If, like us, you think Kyrgios can cause an upset, then this is easy money.

Novak Djokovic ($1.005) vs. Andreas Seppi ($34)

Our tip: Novak Djokovic in straight sets ($1.12 with Sportsbet.com.au)

You have to feel a little sorry for Italian Andreas Seppi. He’s an exceptional tour player and able to at least hold his own against some of the best players in the game. But when it comes to Djokovic, this guy is in a class all his own. Seppi has no hope here. None at all. But can he win a set against the Serbian superstar? Are you kidding me? The Djoker doesn’t drop sets in the third round. Hell, he hardly drops sets in quarters, semis and finals. This pair has played against each other 11 times. Guess who has won all of them? Yep, that is right, the world number one. Seppi is 29, so he won’t be reinventing the wheel in this one. Expect an easy straight sets win for Djokovic as he continues on his path to claiming a remarkable sixth Australian Open title.

Roger Federer ($1.13) vs. Grigor Dimitrov ($6.05)

Our tips: Roger Federer wins 3-1 ($3.50 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Grigor Dimitrov to win the first set ($3.32 with sportsbet.com.au)

Heres where you can find a bit of value. Federer, while still rolling through his first two opponents, has been battling with illness. Dimitrov is not your typical third round mug, but he had never taken a set off the Swiss Master in their previous three meetings until the quarter final of this year’s Brisbane International. Federer still won 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4, but the up and coming 24 year old Bulgarian showed plenty of pluck, indicating that this match won’t be a walk over for the game’s most revered figure. Back Dimitrov to cause some trouble and nick the first set off the Fed Express.