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Jack Draper v Thanasi Kokkinakis: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Neither Jack Draper nor Thanasi Kokkinakis have ever progressed beyond the second round of the Australian Open but that will change when the pair square up in Melbourne.

British number one Draper suffered a scare in his opener down under, twice battling back from a set down to beat Mariano Navone 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the first round.

Things were also not straightforward for home talent Kokkinakis, who lost the first set before winning 3-6 6-3 6-3 7-6 against Roman Safiullin.

Draper is a 2/5 shot to beat 2/1 Kokkinakis in the second round on Wednesday, but this could be a much tighter match-up than the odds suggest.

Jack Draper v Thanasi Kokkinakis

Jack Draper v Thanasi Kokkinakis betting tips and predictions

Over 40.5 games - 10/11

The best bet for this contest is not based on a result, but rather the number of games with over 40.5 priced at an attractive 10/11.

Both of these players were engaged in lengthy opening matches in Melbourne, with Draper's encounter with Navone producing 45 games and Kokkinakis' first match featuring 40 games exactly.

That alone does not mean this will go the distance too, but it is clear both of these players are not at their sharpest and both have been dealing with niggling thigh injuries, so there could be plenty of back and forth.

Having been sick after his first-round win at last year's Australian Open, Draper has focused on heat training in the build-up to the season's first Grand Slam and his endurance is clearly already improving, given that he won the last two sets against Navone 6-3 6-2.

The British number one should put up a fight until the end and the same applies to Kokkinakis, who will be eager to make the most of the home crowd.

Jack Draper to win and both players to win a set - 6/5

For punters wanting to bet on a player to win this match, there could be some value in Draper to win and both players to win a set at 6/5.

If Draper is to get over the line and make the third round, he is unlikely to do so in straight sets given his struggles against Navone and the fact that Kokkinakis is a more dangerous player.

But Draper still looks the more likely to progress given that he reached the semi-finals of the US Open in September last year.

Such a deep run at a hard-court Major will have done Draper's confidence the world of good and he should have the psychological edge over Kokkinakis, who has exited at this stage in Melbourne on five occasions.

Draper could also be the slightly fresher of the two, having opted to sit out warm-up events, whereas Kokkinakis featured at the Adelaide International and was forced to withdraw due to his thigh problem.

Draper leads the head-to-head between these players 2-1 and could just edge a lengthy clash.

Read more tennis betting tips and predictions on site

Jack Draper v Thanasi Kokkinakis odds

Jack Draper - 2/5
Thanasi Kokkinakis -
2/1

View the full market and more odds for Jack Draper v Thanasi Kokkinakis on site

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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