The first tennis major is upon us and there are plenty of reasons to bet on tennis with totesport. as a British player battles for favourtism at the head of the market.

The fourth seed young Scot has been priced up at what looks like a very short 5/2 with totesport, mainly due to Murray’s progression since mid summer which saw him win two masters tournaments and lose out in the final of the US Open against favourite here, Roger Federer (2/1). Add to that wins against Nadal twice (albeit latterly in a recent exhibition tournament) and Federer three times since that defeat at Flushing Meadows, momentum is most definitely with the youngster.

Rafa Nadal has gone off the boil somewhat since defeat to Murray in the US Open semi-finals, with a long grueling season appearing to take its toll in the final months of 2008. Add to that an average by his standards record in the Australian Open, yet to make the final in four attempts. The Spaniard is a 4/1 shot with totesport and could meet Murray in the semi-finals.

Third seed and last year’s winner Novak Djokovic is a 5/1 chance with totesport for a repeat performance and after a quiet few months in the summer regained some of his early season form in the Tennis masters Cup in Shanghai at the beginning of November. It’s never easy to retain a title and after slipping up to Jarko Niemenen in the semi-finals of this weeks warm up tournament down under he looks vulnerable.

Elsewhere, at bigger prices young Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro had an excellent 2008, including four straight tournament wins during July and August, which has catapulted him into the world top ten. Del Potro is seeded eighth here and is in the same quarter of the draw as favourite Roger Federer, he can be backed at 25/1 with totesport.

France has a plethora of young talent on tour at the moment with last year’s beaten finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga seeded fifth appearing to have the best chance here. He lit up the tournament last year with wins over Murray and Nadal and is a 33/1 shot here, alongside fellow young Frenchman Gael Monfils. Further down the betting however Richard Gasquet (66/1) and Gilles Simon (50/1) may offer even more value, both being in good form and look overpriced to me.

Maria Sharapova will not be defending her crown in the women’s side of the draw, a big disappointment to all concerned! As usual, the Williams sisters dominate the market with 3/1 joint favourtism. Serena, a winner here three times is number two seed this year and could face a possible semi-final clash with her sixth seeded sister, who has never won this tournament.

Both sisters went out in the quarter-finals last year which is an encouragement to the rest of the field. Number one seed Jelena Jankovic is a 6/1 shot and is worth opposing. Despite her number one world ranking she has yet to win a grand slam and considered by many as not having the mentality to convert her regular tour form to the biggest stage of all.

The same could be said of fellow Serb Ana Ivanovic, although she did break her duck winning the French Open in 2008 and reaching the final here twelve months ago. Her somewhat alarming drop in form since reaching the world number one spot shortly after her French Open win is a worry though and might be best left at 8/1 here.

There are a couple of Russians that look a good bet in the ladies draw. Dinara Safina had a great 2008 and currently sits third in the world. The strong little sister of mens ace Marat Safin reached the French Open final in 2008 and looks a good prospect reach another final in 2009.

Elena Dementieva looks the bet at 8/1 with totesport. The world number four hasn’t reached a grand slam final since 2004 when she made the French and US open finals in the same year. Her record in Australia is modest to say the least but after reaching two major semi-finals in 2008, along with three WTA titles and one already this year she’s on the up and could take advantage of the Williams sister’s lack of match tennis here.

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