Australian Open betting tips: Djokovic vs Alcaraz, Paul vs Zverev, Gauff vs Badosa

There are some heavyweight clashes on the horizon as the 2025 Australian Open enters its second week. 

In the men’s draw, the biggest battle will see 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic face four-time grand slam winner Carlos Alcaraz. The top three seeds of Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev remain in contention at Melbourne Park. Meanwhile, underdogs like Tommy Paul and Lorenzo Sonego are hoping to cause an upset.

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There have been a few more big shocks in the women’s draw. Fourth seed and 2024 Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini was beaten by Elina Svitolina. Former WImbledon winner Elena Rybakina also crashed out after losing against Madison Keys. 

Top seed and reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka continues to progress at lightning speed. A big quarter-final clash between Coco Gauff and Paula Badosa also awaits in the women’s draw.

Check out our top tips for the Australian Open quarter-final action on Tuesday.

Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz (Tuesday 9:10am)

A potential Djokovic vs Alcaraz quarter-final at the 2025 Australian Open made the headlines when the draw was made nearly two weeks ago. The match everyone wanted will play out on Tuesday, with both players in top form. 

Djokovic has grown into the competition, despite a few unconvincing performances in the opening rounds. The 37-year-old needed four sets to overcome unseeded opponents Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria in rounds one and two. However, dominant wins over Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka show that Djokovic means business. 

In particular, he controlled his triumph over Lehecka in round four. The Serbian made his opponent play 44 unforced errors and conceded just one break point. It was the Serbian’s 98th tournament win at Melbourne Park and the tennis ace continues to perform at the top level.

World number three Alcaraz has had a much smoother journey into the quarter-final. The 21-year-old comfortably beat round one and two opponents Alexander Shevchenko and Yoshihito Nishioka in straight sets. 

He then held out to beat a spirited Nuno Borges and edged through with a four-set victory before a walkover against the injured Jack Draper after winning the first two sets 7-5; 6-1. 

Alcaraz has also shown strong form at Melbourne Park in the past and he will be determined to improve on his head-to-head record against Djokovic. 

In seven previous meetings, Djokovic has four wins and the 24-time grand slam champion has won the two head-to-heads against Alcaraz on hard courts.

FIRST’s top tip for Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Djokovic vs Alcaraz really could go either way and the stage is set for an incredibly well-fought battle between two of the ATP’s elite. 

This clash of the titans could go the distance, with over 4.5 sets likely. (43/20 with BetMGM)

Tommy Paul vs Alexander Zverev (Tuesday 3:00am) 

World number 11 Tommy Paul faces second seed Alexander Zverev on Tuesday in what could be an even encounter. 

Paul was heading for an early Australian Open exit in rounds one and two. However, he played out a five-set epic against Australian Christopher O’Connell in the first round before coming back from a set down to beat the experienced Kei Nishikori in four sets. 

The following rounds have been a breeze for Paul. He dropped just eight games during a clean third-round victory against Roberto Carballes Baena and needed just an hour and a half to rout Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1; 6-1; 6-1 in the last 16. 

The American is now aiming to reach his second Australian Open semi-final in three years. Ultimately, he has a strong chance after notching four wins over top 10 opponents in 2024, while 10 of his 12 victories over the top 10 have come on hard courts. 

Zverev will be Paul’s toughest challenge so far at the Australian Open. The world number two has dropped just one set in his opening four matches and has lost once in his last 15 in all competitions. 

The German has a strong recent history of going into the deep stages at grand slams. He has reached the semi-final or further in two of his last four majors, including at last year’s Australian Open when he made the final four. 

However, Zverev will have to beat Paul for the first time in his career on Tuesday. The 27-year-old has lost the two previous matches against his upcoming opponent. 

FIRST’s top tip for Tommy Paul vs Alexander Zverev

Zverev is in better form than Paul here and the world number two has plenty of recent experience of getting past potentially tricky grand slam quarter-finals. Another 3-1 win for Zverev is expected in this encounter. (11/4 with Betway)

Coco Gauff vs Paula Badosa (Tuesday 12:30am)

Coco Gauff has shown her title credentials as one of the favourites with some resounding early-round wins. The world number three won her first three matches without dropping a set. She then lost the first set against Belinda Bencic in round four but hit back and raced to 6-2; 6-1 wins in the final sets. Gauff has now won 11 matches in a row and will be targeting her first grand slam final since winning the 2023 US Open. 

Former world number two Paula Badosa, meanwhile, is enjoying a resurgence at the Australian Open. The Spanish player has reached back-to-back grand slam quarter-finals for the first time in her career after progressing to the same stage at the 2024 US Open. 

Badosa has only lost one set in her four matches so far, during a third-round triumph against 18th seed Marta Kostyuk. However, Badosa was back to her best with a 6-1; 7-6 victory against Olga Danilovic in the fourth round. 

The world number 12 played Gauff in October 2024 and lost in three sets during a China Open semi-final clash. It was Badosa’s second consecutive defeat against Gauff after a round-of-16 loss at the 2024 Italian Open.

FIRST’s top tip for Coco Gauff vs Paula Badosa

Gauff has been dominant at the Australian Open so far and has more experience closing out the big grand slam matches compared to Badosa. A straight sets 2-0 win for the American is the best bet here. (4/5 with Spreadex)

Odds correct at the time of writing.