Jannik Sinner v Holger Rune: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner appears to be warming to the task at Melbourne Park and the Italian world number one should have too many weapons for his Danish last-16 opponent Holger Rune.

Sinner dropped a set in his round two win over inexperienced Australian Tristan Schoolkate, but it was normal service resumed in his third-round encounter as he swatted aside Marcos Giron 6-3 6-4 6-2.

Tougher tests clearly await and Rune is a rise in class to what he has faced so far in the competition, but he is now odds-on to take the title for a second season in a row at 20/21.

Rune will be desperate to make his fourth Grand Slam quarter-final with an upset win and he has had to dig deep to set up this clash, recording five-set wins over Zhizhen Zhang and Miomir Kecmanovic either side of a four-set triumph over 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini.

That shows the Dane to be in fine fettle and his never-say-die attitude should keep him competitive, although he will need a big drop off from Sinner to pull off a shock success.

Jannik Sinner v Holger Rune betting tips and predictions

Jannik Sinner to win & both players to win a set - 5/4

This fourth-round clash revolves around Sinner and it is 1/12 for the Italian to book his place in the quarter-final, which would already be the tenth time he has made the final eight of a Grand Slam at just 23 years of age.

With chief title rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic set for a blockbuster battle in the quarter-finals, Sinner certainly holds the aces in his pursuit of back-to-back Melbourne crowns.

However, dynamic Dane Rune has the weapons to hurt Sinner and it may not be as straightforward as it has been so for the tournament top seed.

Sinner did drop a set in round two against world number 173 Schoolkate, while he needed two tie-breaks in his straight sets victory over Nicolas Jarry in his curtain-raiser.

Even in his latest routine victory over Giron, the American carved out chances on Sinner’s serve but was only able to take one of the seven break-point opportunities he created.

So, Rune should be confident that he can at least win a set and he will take great pride from the fact that all four of his career meetings with Sinner have seen both players get a set on the board.

That means backing Sinner to win and both players to win a set at 5/4 could represent the value, with Rune capable of mixing it early before his busy Australian Open schedule takes its toll.

While the Italian has played only 10 sets across his three matches at Melbourne Park, Rune has played 14 and at some point his freshness is likely to be a factor given the strength of the opposition.

Holger Rune to serve 10+ aces - 5/4

Rune is going to serve at his brilliant best if he is to stay within hailing distance of the world number one and backing him to compile 10 or more aces may be the way to go.

The Dane has served 34 aces in claiming the scalps of Zhang, Berrettini and Kecmanovic and he may be able to win some service games quickly against Sinner.

These two players have only met in best-of-three contests previously, but Rune’s ace totals in four meetings with the Italian have been 7, 4, 15 and 6, offering hope that over this longer format he can at least reach double figures.

Interestingly, Rune has won the ace battle with Sinner and each of their last three rivalries and the 12/5 on offer for him to do that again may also be of strong interest.

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Jannik Sinner v Holger Rune odds

Jannik Sinner - 1/12
Holger Rune - 7/1

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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.