The first Grand Slam of the year gets under way on Monday in Melbourne, and the Mens Betting is very tight at the top. At one point, it looked like Andy Murray would be sent off favourite, but Roger Federer is 11/4 after winning the Kooyong Classic.

Murray is 3/1 with Sportingbet, although most high street bookies are only prepared to lay you 5/2. He has beaten Federer twice this year and also Rafa Nadal in the Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament. He also won the Doha tournament last year, but crashed out to Tsonga in the Australian Open last year. If you are tempted by Murray, have a look at the specials markets where Skybet are offering some tasty prices.

You can get 12/1 that he wins the title after saving match point in any match, or 33/1 to win the title without dropping a set. My advice is to not get carried away, as I think this Murray-mania means there is good value to be found elsewhere. If you aren’t a fan, how about 6/5 that he doesn’t win a set 6-0? Also of interest could be his stage of elimination – Boylesports offer 15/2 for him to crash out in the Quarter Finals.

With question marks over Federer‘s 2008, I’m happy to take 4/1 for Nadal to win. The reason Nadal’s odds are inflated is that he’s been out of action for 2 months with tendonitis, and he recently lost a match to Gael Monfils (66/1). That was a 2 set match and I’d expect him to give a better showing in Melbourne. He won the Olympic title on a similar surface last year in Beijing.

His draw is fine, and it looks like the first real test will be Murray in the semis. Players to watch out for on the way are 250/1 Hewitt and 150/1 Gasquet. Richard Gasquet is extremely talented, but I will only take a financial interest on the grass surface. He is currently 66/1 for Wimbledon.

8/1 Novak Djokovic lost out in the ATP Sydney to Jarkko Nieminen, who is a 300/1 shot. David Nalbandian beat him in the final, and will go into the Australian Open full of confidence. He has been cut into 20/1 from 60s, and looks to have the best outside chance. You can get 4/1 with Skybet that someone from outside the ‘Big 4′ wins the Mens title this year.

Recommendation:

3pts @ 4/1 Nadal to win Australian Open

5ps @ 6/5 Andy Murray NOT to win a set 6-0

bookies.com compares tennis odds between the top UK bookmakers:

Australian Open Mens Winner Betting

Australian Open Mens Will There be a New Winner? Betting

Australian Open Mens Big 4 v The Field Betting

Australian Open Andy Murray Specials

Australian Open Mens Winning Nation Betting

Australian Open Mens Federer to Lose Set Betting

Australian Open Womens Title Betting

Australian Open Womens Williams Sisters v The Field Betting