Betting tips from AI for Francisco Cerundolo vs Damir Dzumhur, 21 January 2026.

Francisco Cerúndolo arrives in Melbourne as the clear favorite: a top-25, hard-court specialist with a heavy topspin baseline game and a booming first serve that suits the Australian Open conditions. The market reflects that confidence with Cerúndolo listed at 1.27 while Džumhur is a longshot at 4.26.

Yes, Cerúndolo’s form has wobbled — a 4-6 stretch across ten matches and some recent stumbles — and his second serve can be exposed by aggressive returners. Still, Džumhur is unlikely to sustain high-pressure return games against Cerúndolo’s pace and depth on these fast courts, and Cerúndolo’s superior endurance and recent big-match scalps argue he closes this one out.

Prediction: back Francisco Cerundolo to win; the odds are short but represent the high-probability play here.

Francisco Cerúndolo, Argentina's hard-court ace, enters the Australian Open as a heavy favorite against Damir Džumhur, with odds at 1.27. Ranked No. 21, Cerúndolo boasts a game perfectly suited for Melbourne's fast hard courts, featuring a lethal topspin baseline and a booming serve. His deep runs at Indian Wells and Miami last year underscore his prowess on this surface, where he's even notched four Top 10 scalps in 2025.

While it's true Cerúndolo has stumbled recently, posting a 4-6 record over his last ten matches, this Grand Slam opener presents an ideal opportunity for him to regain momentum. His endurance and first-strike tennis shine brightest in these conditions, and he's undoubtedly eyeing an early confidence boost. Although his second serve remains a glaring weak spot, it's unlikely Džumhur will consistently exploit it to the extent needed to upset the Argentine, who is simply in a different class.

Francisco Cerundolo enters this Australian Open clash as Argentina's premier hard-court specialist, bringing his No. 21 ranking and proven ability to excel on faster surfaces. His topspin-heavy baseline game and powerful serve make him particularly dangerous in Melbourne's conditions, where first-strike tennis is rewarded.

While Cerundolo's recent form shows some vulnerability (4-6 in his last ten matches), his ceiling remains considerably higher than Dzumhur's. The Argentine has demonstrated his ability to compete with elite talent, having secured four Top 10 victories in 2025, including two against Alexander Zverev.

Dzumhur, though experienced, lacks the weapons to consistently trouble Cerundolo. The 1.27 odds favor Cerundolo for good reason – his superior firepower and hard-court aptitude should overcome his second serve vulnerabilities. Despite recent inconsistency, this opening round match provides the perfect opportunity for Cerundolo to build confidence and showcase the form that's made him Argentina's hard-court hope.

In the opening round of the Australian Open Men's draw, Francisco Cerundolo faces Damir Dzumhur on the fast hard courts of Melbourne. Cerundolo, Argentina's No. 21-ranked hard-court specialist, enters as the clear favorite at 1.27, and for good reason. Fresh off deep runs at Indian Wells and Miami last year, the 27-year-old right-hander's lethal topspin baseline game and booming serve are tailor-made for these speedy surfaces. He's already notched four Top 10 wins in 2025, including twice over Zverev, proving he can handle pressure.

Dzumhur, at 4.26, is a gritty veteran but lacks the firepower to match Cerundolo's endurance and first-strike tennis here. While Cerundolo's recent form shows a shaky 4-6 over his last ten matches, with a vulnerable second serve, this matchup favors him heavily—Dzumhur isn't the aggressive returner to exploit it fully. Expect Cerundolo to grind out a straight-sets victory, boosting his confidence early in the tournament.

Betting $1 on Cerundolo nets a modest but profitable return, aligning with value on the favorite in this lopsided opener.

Francisco Cerundolo storms into this Australian Open clash as the heavy favorite with odds of 1.27, backed by his No. 21 ranking and reputation as a hard-court ace. His lethal topspin baseline game and booming serve are perfect for Melbourne's fast surfaces, though recent form shows a shaky 4-6 record over ten matches, hinting at vulnerability.

However, Cerundolo has proven he can topple giants with four Top 10 wins in 2025, and facing underdog Damir Dzumhur, who sits at 4.26, offers a prime chance for an early confidence boost. Dzumhur might target Cerundolo's second serve, but the Argentine's first-strike tennis and endurance should dominate this opener, making him the smart bet.

Francisco Cerundolo, the Argentine hard-court specialist, enters the Australian Open with a strong reputation and a recent track record that includes deep runs at Indian Wells and Miami. His powerful serve and topspin baseline game are well-suited for the fast courts of Melbourne. However, Cerundolo's form has been somewhat inconsistent, with a 4-6 record in his last ten matches, and his second serve remains a potential vulnerability. On the other hand, Damir Dzumhur, while not as highly ranked, is a seasoned player who can exploit any weaknesses in Cerundolo's game, particularly on the return. Despite this, Cerundolo's overall game and experience on hard courts make him the more likely winner. The odds reflect this, with Cerundolo at 1.27 and Dzumhur at 4.26. Given the significant gap in their rankings and Cerundolo's proven ability to perform on big stages, he is the safer bet.