Andy Murray has managed to dodge a quarter-final with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga after Kei Nishikori beat him in a gruelling five-setter on Sunday night, but can the Japanese spring another surprise?

It looks unlikely.  Dave Kelner chatted to Sky Sports’ tennis commentator Nick Lester live on In-Play Radio on Tuesday afternoon to talk about that match and the other quarter-finals scheduled to take place on Wednesday morning (UK time).

He comes up with some quality bets.

Enjoy.

Maria Sharapova takes on Victoria Azarenka in the Women’s Final of the Australian Open with world number one status also awaiting the winner.

Sky Sports’ tennis commentator Nick Lester features to preview the action ahead of the final in Melbourne.

He gives us his selection to win and also gives us his set betting prediction for the finale.

Enjoy.

Novak Djokovic set up a meeting with Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final after eventually overcoming Andy Murray in a marathon semi-final encounter.

Sky Sports’ tennis commentator Nick Lester features on this podcast to deliver his verdict on the finale.

He tells us whether he thinks reigning champion Novak Djokovic can retain his title and gives us an idea of where to look in the set betting.

We have quite a semi-final line-up in the Australian Open as the big four do battle to reach the final in the mens’ and it’s just as competitive in the womens’.

Sky Sports’ tennis commentator Nick Lester talks to Dave Kelner ahead of the action to give us his verdict on Andy Murray’s clash with Novak Djokovic

He also assesses the mouth-watering clash between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal before previewing the womens’ semi-finals between Victoria Azarenka and Kim Clijsters, and Maria Sharapova’s match up with Petra Kvitova.

He gives us his selections in each of the matches and the best bets to look out for along the way.

Enjoy.

Grading The Women’s Australian Open Futures

The Australian Open has been overshadowed by political talk stemming from some of its biggest players about tour demands and overbearing schedules. Goddamnit can Pro Tennis Women’s betting be any more boring? Where’s a sex scandal when you need one?
For you tennis aficionados, the Australian Open is not only the first Grand Slam of the…

As 11/10 favourite, world number one Novak Djokovic is most definitely the man to beat at the Australian Open.

Following a stunning 2011 season including three grand slam titles, the Serb returns to Melbourne to defend his crown and begins his campaign as 1/200 favourite match favourite against Paolo Lorenzi.

Djokovic dominated the world’s elite last season and it was hardly surprising that as the World Tour Finals approached, the Serb’s body began to give.

Although Djokovic claimed he was fully fit entering the London based event before Christmas, a change of shirt mid way through his opening clash against Tomas Berdych revealed a heavily strapped shoulder and backers became wary.

Djokovic came through as the victor against Berdych, but it was more the case that Berdych could not serve out the match and gifted Djokovic the win. The Djokor then became - in my eyes at least - pretty much un-backable for the remainder of the tournament, and the year.

If Novak has had enough of a rest over Christmas, I believe, with Nadal not looking on top form, Federer another year older, and Andy Murray being Andy Murray, this year will be even more successful than the last.

Should Andy Murray honour his match favouritism throughout the coming matches in Melbourne, a semi-final clash against Novak looks likely in a rematch of last year’s final.

The 8/1 about Rafael Nadal to win the Australian Open looks a tempting bet, in fact probably the best value among the top five in the betting.

The Spaniard faces qualifier Alex Kuznetsov (no relation to Svetlana) and Rafa is priced at 1/100 to progress through that challenge, looking set to face rival Roger Federer in the semi finals.

Federer and Nadal have contested EIGHT grand slam finals in recent years, and this is the first time since the 2005 French Open that they have been found in the same half of the draw.

Federer - a four time Australian Open champion - has been the man to beat for the majority of the last decade, but now the Swiss ace finds himself continually in the mix with Nadal and Djokovic, and his complete dominance looks set to become a part of history.

Federer is the 1/100 favourite to beat his first round opponent, Alexander Kudryavtsev.

The last two finals at Melbourne have featured Andy Murray as the losing finalist, and in an attempt to finally capture that illusive Grand Slam title, the Scot has partnered up with Ivan Lendle as his new coach.

Hopefully this will be the push Murray needs, but I have never backed Murray, not even to win a match.

For me, the Scot’s ‘mental game’ can turn at any point and for that reason, he’s too unpredictable.

Yes, on a good day, he can, and has beaten the best, but this opening Slam will not be claimed by the 5/1 Scot. Perhaps a few more months under the tutelage of Lendl will mean the second half of the year could prove fruitful for the Scot.

Murray will face a tricky opening match against American teenager Ryan Harrison as the 1/33 favourite (Harrison 10/1 to win the match)

Since December, David Ferrer has been playing some fantastic shots and has only lost one match since that time to a certain Serb.  Djokovic beat Ferrer in the Abu Dhabi final (though that was an exhibition event).

The fifth seed helped Spain to glory in the Davis Cup last month and did beat Novak Djokovic at the World Tour Finals, so the 50/1 (e/w ½ odds 1st and 2nd) doesn’t appear to be the worst bet in the world.

Ferrer is drawn against Portugal’s Rui Machado and is the 1/50 favourite to win his opening match.

He could meet Djokovic in the last eight and would love to produce a repeat performance his World Tour Finals victory in Australia this fortnight.

Winning the Qatar Open last week will have put Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the perfect frame of mind for his journey to Australia and the Frenchman has form in Melbourne having made the final in 2008.

The 16/1 shot is a massively entertaining player to watch, and has all the ability in the world.

Tsonga begins his 2012 ‘Slam campaign with a clash against Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin, and 1/10 is easy money if you have the stakes to go a little larger. Tsonga could face, and beat Andy Murray in the quarters.

With Andy Murray facing a relatively tough couple of weeks, and Federer and Nadal featuring in the same half of the draw, the money has to be one man in Australia, Novak Djokovic, the forthcoming 2012 Australian Open winner.

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Andy Murray gets the chance to bag a maiden Grand Slam title when he launches his bid for Australian Open success.

Sky Sports tennis commentator Nick Lester takes an in-depth look at whether the Scot has what it takes to grab glory.

As well as looking at the Men’s tournament, our expert also casts his eye across the Women’s section.

Australian Open Futures Starts 2012 Grand Slam Season

Australian Open Futures Market: Who will win the 2012 Aussie Open

As the first Grand Slam of the year approaches, the all-consuming question of who will win the coveted trophy is making the rounds in tennis betting circles. Now, I’ll admit it is a bit premature to even contemplate answering this question at this point,…

Andy Murray looks in great form for the first Slam of 2012 and Hills offer 5/1 that he breaks his duck in Australia. 2011’s standout player Novak Djokovic is the 11/8 favourite with Federer 11/4 and Nadal 5/1. Hills also offer 2/1 that Andy Murray makes the final for a third year running

“With question marks over the fitness of both Federer & Nadal, Andy Murray has quite simply never had a better chance of winning in Australia, his most successful hunting ground!” said Hill’s spokesman Rupert Adams.

Which Slam Will Murray Go Furthest In 2012: 2/1 Australian Open, 5/1 French Open, 2/1 Wimbledon, 2/1 US Open
Ivan Lendl Still Murray Coach On Jan 1st 2013: 1/2 Yes, 6/4 No

William Hill Men’s Australian Open: 11/8 Novak Djokovic, 11/4 Roger Federer, 5/1 Rafael Nadal, 5/1 Andy Murray, 12/1 Juan Martin del Potro, 16/1 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 33/1 David Ferrer, 40/1 Robin Soderling, 50/1 Milos Raonic, 50/1 Thomas Berdych, 66/1 Bar

William Hill Women’s Australian Open: 11/4 Serena Williams, 3/1 Petra Kvitova, 5/1 Kim Clijsters, 6/1 Victoria Azarenka, 8/1 Samantha Stosur, 10/1 Caroline Wozniacki, 10/1 Maria Sharapova, 16/1 Na Li, 25/1 Vera Zvonareva, 25/1 Sabine Lsicki, 25/1 Andrea Petkovic, 25/1 Agnieszka Radwanska, 25/1 Ana Ivanovic, 33/1 Svetlana Kuznetsova, 33/1 Kaia Kanepi, 40/1 Venus Williams, 40/1 Marion Bartoli, 66/1 Bar

ATP Number One End 2012: 4/6 Novak Djokovic, 9/4 Rafael Nadal, 5/1 Roger Federer, 12/1 Andy Murray, 20/1 Juan Martin del Potro, 25/1 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 33/1 Tomas Berdych, 50/1 Robin Soderling, 66/1 David Ferrer

Murray 2012 Major Wins: 2/5 None, 6/4 One, 14/1 Two, 80/1 Three, 200/1 Four
Djokovic 2012 Major Wins: 11/4 None, 11/8 One, 7/4 Two, 6/1 Three, 16/1 Four, 33/1 All Four & Olympics
Nadal 2012 Major Wins: 2/1 None, 5/4 One, 9/4 Two, 10/1 Three, 33/1 Four
Federer 2012 Major Wins: 4/9 None, 11/8 One, 14/1 Two, 80/1 Three, 200/1 Four

Big Four To Win All Four Grand Slams: 8/13 Yes, 6/5 No

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Dave Driver and Sky Sports commentator Nick Lester chew the fat ahead of the men’s US Open final.

Novak Djokovic has only lost one completed match all year - Federer beat him at the French Open - and he arrives here having beaten his adversary Rafael Nadal in their last five meetings.

However, Rafael Nadal’s form has improved throughout the tournament and he was superb against Andy Murray in the quarter-final.

Nick Lester got both semi-finals spot-on, predicting a Djokovic 3-2 victory and a Nadal 3-1 win against Andy Murray.  Can he repeat the trick in the final?

Enjoy.