Men's Tennis Betting: Only Federer shone at the Australian Open

Australian Open Betting / Simon Mundie / 01 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

Marin Cilic

"He (Federer) has nothing left to prove, physically is still in great shape and could easily continue winning multiple majors up to and beyond the Olympics in 2012, which is ominous for the likes of Andy Murray."

As Roger Federer wrapped up his 16th Grand Slam, there was evidence that Nadal might be finished, Murray can't deliver on the biggest stage and the likes of Djokovic and Tsonga are going backwards. Simon Mundie wonders who is good enough enough to challenge the world number one.

A fascinating fortnight in Melbourne culminated in Roger Federer underlining his dominance of the men's game by winning his 16th major title in superb fashion. The tournament as a whole was a roaring success, and there are several lessons we can take away from it.

Firstly, Roger Federer is going to keep dominating the game for a few years yet (he is [11.0] to win all four majors this year). He played as well as he has done for several seasons during this year's tournament, and reminded everyone that no one can touch him when it comes to peaking at the big events. After dropping the first set to Igor Andreev in his opening match, Federer raised his level round by round, completely outplaying every one of his opponents in the process. He also appeared totally relaxed and at ease, a result of last year's record-breaking season when he got the French Open monkey off his back and broke Pete Sampras' record. He has nothing left to prove, physically is still in great shape and could easily continue winning multiple majors up to and beyond the Olympics in 2012, which is ominous for the likes of Andy Murray.

Speaking of the Scot, he showed that he should be backed to win a Grand Slam title during his career, yet still isn't the finished article. Murray ([2.1] to win a slam this year) beefed up his game during the off season, giving his second serve and forehand some much needed bite. It was clear during his matches against Nadal and Cilic that he can now play more offensively alongside his trusted defensive game, yet during the final he still showed indecision in the forecourt. At times he had short balls that he could have really attacked yet he still didn't seem totally comfortable doing it; until he can grab matches by the scruff of the neck with attacking play, Murray is fated to suffer more painful losses at the Grand Slam events by players with more attacking weapons at their disposal.

This was also the tournament that confirmed Marin Cilic's potential. He had a breakthrough win during last year's US Open when he beat Murray at the fourth round stage, and that appears to have given him some much needed confidence to couple with his undoubted physical talents. He survived several five-set encounters, digging deep to take out US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro and Andy Roddick in the process. By the time he faced Murray in the semi-finals, he had run out of steam, yet still did enough to suggest that he is destined for the top 5 sooner rather than later.

While Cilic is in the ascendancy, Rafael Nadal is staring into the abyss (he is [6.8] to finish the season as number one). The defending champion suffered double disappointment, comfortably beaten by Murray in the quarter-finals and once more pole axed by his suspect knees once the match was already out of his reach. His aura has been well and truly punctured, and he has a significant amount of points to defend over the upcoming months. This year's clay court swing will be fascinating, as it will then be easier to assess just how chronic his ills are. It would have been unthinkable for anyone other than Nadal to start as favourite at Roland Garros, yet many players will fancy their chances this time around.

Novak Djokovic ([5.6] to finish the year as number one) is another person who faces some trying times ahead. In losing to Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Djokovic once more displayed his physical and mental frailties that appeared to be a thing of the past during the last few months of last year. Djokovic hasn't reached a Grand Slam final for two years now, and has suffered some poor losses at the majors in that time. The man who seemed ready to take over at the helm of the game after winning the Australian title in 2008 has gone backwards, and faces a fight just to stay part of the pack in contention at the majors. Fortunately for him, none of his peers have shown they are ready to step up and take over Federer's mantle at the top of the game. Juan Martin Del Potro seems to be suffering with the pressure of being a Grand Slam champion, Tsonga hasn't improved since his Australian Open run of 2008, and Nikolay Davydenko is still incapable of transferring his best form to the Grand Slam events. All good news for a certain Roger Federer.