Novak Djokovic vs Lucas Pouille Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Australian Open

Prediction published on 24/01/2019, 12:27  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 24/01/2019 at 13:27 in ATP Australian Open Predictions

Novak Djokovic is only two matches away from winning his third Grand Slam in a row. The world number one knows he'll be facing Rafael Nadal if he makes it into the final. He hasn't had it all his own way in this tournament dropping a set in his matches against Denis Shapovalov and Daniil Medvedev. He was a set and 4-1 up in his quarter final when Kei Nishikori had to retire injured. That could well play to his advantage as it'll leave him a bit fresher than others for the rest of the tournament.

Lucas Pouille is the number 28 seed and this is his first Grand Slam semi-final. Previously he'd only reached two quarter finals at Wimbledon and the US Open and that was back in 2014. To say this is a big improvement for Pouille at the Australian Open is a massive understatement. The last five years have seen him exit in the first round but he finally got off the mark this year. He dropped a set in the second round and then had a real battle in the third round as he led Alexei Popyrin by two sets but was pegged back to two sets all before winning the final set 6-3. The fourth round saw him come from a set down to beat 11th seed Borna Coric and beat Milos Raonic in four sets to reach the last four. The tip here is for over 31.5 games to be played.