Mats Wilander on Australian Open final: ‘I think it is 51-49 in favour of Novak Djokovic’
He expects it to be a very close contest with “a lot of long rallies”, but Eurosport analyst Mats Wilander believes Novak Djokovic has a slight edge over Daniil Medvedev ahead of the Australian Open final.
Djokovic will be out to win a ninth Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and an 18th Grand Slam trophy on Sunday while Medvedev is looking to win his maiden major.
They have had contrasting routes to the final too with Djokovic injured and dropping five sets while his Russian rival dropped only two sets.
2021 Australian Open men’s final info, recent form, betting and preview: Novak Djokovic v Daniil Medvedev
Wilander feels Medvedev have what it takes to challenge Djokovic physically, but feels the world No 1 is the favourite by the narrowest of margins.
“I’m really looking forward to Djokovic against Medvedev,” he told Eurosport. “I think these are the two best players in the world at the moment, especially on these faster hard courts in Melbourne.
“Obviously we’re not 100 per cent sure how Djokovic is feeling physically, and Medvedev is not going away physically. He can be there for four hours, five hours, no problem.
“Before the match I think it is 51-49 in favour of Djokovic, but there are going to be a lot of long rallies and the conditions are going to suit both players.
“Medvedev is definitely the one younger player that Novak has had the most trouble against, but he has never lost in the final here – he is 8-0 in finals.”
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