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Remind me next time

Novak Djokovic is the bookmakers’ favourite to win the Australian Open 2023 and claim a ninth trophy from the tournament down under. The Serbian wasn’t able to play in the Australian Open last season due to COVID protocols. After the nature of Djokovic’s 2022 campaign, he will want his tennis to do the talking in Australia this season. 

The 21-time Grand Slam winner will start his Australian Open 2023 tournament on Tuesday with a first-round match against Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena. Baena, 29 years old, has never progressed past the second round of the Australian Open. Indeed, he has never reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament. 

Many onlookers will expect an easy win for Djokovic. However, the Serbian has plenty of pressure on his shoulders. For one, Djokovic is desperate to equal Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam tournament wins. Nadal won the Australian Open last season and Djokovic will want to equal the Spaniard’s record. 

Djokovic is ranked No 5 in the world according to the ATP ahead of the first round of the Australian Open. Baena is ranked No 75 in the world and is seeking a major upset over Djokovic. The tennis players have met once previously with Djokovic picking up the victory. Can he do it once more?

Roberto Carballes Baena vs Novak Djokovic Betting Odds 

Roberto Carballes Baena versus Novak Djokovic will be one of the final matches on Tuesday at the Australian Open. Due to the time change, fans in the United Kingdom will be able to watch the match at 9:30 AM. 

It is no surprise that Djokovic is a heavy favourite going into the fixture at the best betting odds of 1/150. Bookmakers are not expecting an upset from Baena in the first round. Baena is at the best betting odds of 28/1. 

The tennis tournament is young and this is the first Grand Slam of the season. A major upset could happen in the first round, but it is highly doubtful that the world’s No 5 ranked tennis player will be taken down by the No 75th ranked player. 

Baena played Maharashtra Open in Pune, India in earlier January to prepare for the Australian Open. He defeated Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the first round but lost in the second to Marin Cilic in three sets. 

Djokovic won the Adelaide International tournament with a win in the finals over Sebastian Korda on January 8. The 21-time Grand Slam winner will have used the event to warm up for the Aussie Open. Djokovic defeated some high-calibre opponents in Adelaide, including Daniil Medvedev, Denis Shapovalov, and Quentin Halys. Djokovic won all his matches in straight sets until the final. There, he lost the first set 6-7 before winning the second 7-6 and the third 6-4. 

Djokovic is at the odds of 2/9 to win in straight sets against Baena. He is unlikely to drop a set to the Spaniard. Djokovic won their previous meeting in straight sets in 2019. Some attractive odds are available in the score of the first game. Djokovic is 8/1 to win 6-0 and 5/2 to win 6-1.

Roberto Carballes Baena vs. Novak Djokvic H2H 

Roberto Carballes Baena and Novak Djokovic previously played in 2019 at the US Open in Queens, New York. Djokovic won the match in straight sets 6-4, 6-1, and 6-4. Djokovic had little difficulty winning the match on hard court in the round of 128. 

Djokovic scored 30 aces thus far in 2023. He has collected 85% of first-serve points and won 95% of service games. Yes, only one tournament has been played by Djokovic in this young season, but he faced off against some top tennis talent in Adelaide. Djokovic has won 20% of his return games in 2023. 

Baena has played just two matches in 2023, posting a record of one win and one loss. He picked up three aces in his two matches. Baena won a paltry 67% of first-serve points but tallied 81% of service games won. He has won only 26% of return games in 2023. If there is hope for Baena, it may be that he can collect points against Djokovic in the return game. 

Baena hasn’t played well on hard courts in his career, posting a record of 17-29 on the ATP Tour. He is best on clay but still has a losing record in ATP matches. Of the surfaces, hard courts may be Djokovic’s weakest in terms of wins and losses. He has a record of 660-121 and 12 Grand Slam titles on hard courts. Nine of those Grand Slams were won in Australia at the Aussie Open. 

Roberto Carballes Baena vs Novak Djokvic Betting Tips 

There is no doubt that Novak Djokovic will defeat Roberto Carballes Baena on Tuesday in round No 1 of the Australian Open. Djokovic is the No 4 seed and a win would put him in the second round against qualifier Enzo Couacaud or Hugo Dellien Jr. 

Djokovic’s path to the fifth round looks rather easy. He could face off against No 5 seed Andrey Rublev or No 9 seed Holger Rune in the fifth round, if either player can get through their part of the bracket without losing. 

Djokovic should pick up the win against Baena in straight sets. The odds on a 3-0 Djokovic win are at 2/9, which are not that attractive. However, the first set score is attractive. Our betting tips prediction is for Djokovic to start the first set in fine form and to post a 6-1 score at the best betting odds of 5/2. 

Baena is at the odds of 3/1 to win a set. Based on Djokovic’s early season form at the Adelaide International ATP tournament, it seems unlikely Djokovic will drop a set. He won each match in Adelaide in straight sets until the final, when he dropped the opening set of the match. 

Our betting tips prediction is for Djokovic to ease through to the second round with a straight-sets win.