Betting tips from AI for Francisco Cerundolo vs Zhizhen Zhang, 18 January 2026.

Cerundolo arrives in Melbourne as the No. 18 seed with a 63% Grand Slam win rate and the bookmakers clearly favor him at 1.42. Pundits at The Stats Zone and Tennis Tonic expect him to control rallies on the hard courts, and despite a hiccup in Adelaide his 2025 momentum and aggressive baseline game make him the steadier option.

Zhang has shown flashes — a recent win over Flavio Cobolli — but losses to Auger-Aliassime and Kyrgios highlight inconsistency, and he’s the underdog at 3.08. Cerundolo’s recent straight-sets win over Zhang at Eastbourne and superior hard-court profile tip this first-round clash toward the Argentine, so I back Francisco Cerundolo to advance.

Francisco Cerundolo, the No. 18 seed, enters the Australian Open with high expectations, following a stellar 2025 season. His 63% win rate at this Grand Slam is his best, indicating a strong comfort level in Melbourne. Despite a recent stumble in Adelaide, losing a tough three-setter to Jaume Munar, his overall hard-court prowess is well-regarded. Analysts at The Stats Zone firmly believe Cerundolo is the superior talent on hard courts, especially in this first-round encounter.

Zhizhen Zhang, coming through qualifying, has had a less-than-ideal start to 2026, with losses to top players and only one recent win against Flavio Cobolli. While he may be seeking revenge for a previous straight-sets loss to Cerundolo in 2023, the Argentine holds a 2-1 head-to-head advantage. The bookmakers reflect this sentiment, pricing Cerundolo as a strong favorite at 1.42, with Zhang at 3.08. Tennis Tonic further supports this, predicting a Cerundolo victory in four sets. Considering Cerundolo's consistent form, higher ranking, and historical performance on hard courts, he is poised to navigate this opening match successfully.

While Zhang might push him, Cerundolo's class and experience should shine through.

Francisco Cerundolo enters the Australian Open with significant momentum as the No. 18 seed, boasting his best Grand Slam win rate (63%) at this tournament. Despite a recent hiccup in Adelaide against Jaume Munar, his overall trajectory remains impressive after a stellar 2025 season.

The head-to-head record favors Cerundolo at 1-2, including a straight-sets victory over Zhang at Eastbourne in 2023. Zhang's 2026 has started roughly with losses to Felix Auger-Aliassime and Nick Kyrgios, though he did manage a win against Flavio Cobolli recently.

The odds heavily favor Cerundolo at 1.42 versus Zhang's 3.08, reflecting the Argentine's superior hard court capabilities. Tennis Tonic's prediction of a four-set victory seems reasonable, as Cerundolo's all-surface versatility should overcome Zhang's inconsistency. The Stats Zone analysts also view Cerundolo as the superior talent in this first-round clash at Melbourne Park.

Francisco Cerundolo enters the Australian Open as the No. 18 seed, carrying momentum from a stellar 2025 season where he excelled across surfaces and holds a 63% Grand Slam win rate Down Under. Facing qualifier Zhizhen Zhang in the first round, Cerundolo's superior talent on hard courts shines through, as backed by analysts at The Stats Zone who see him overpowering the Chinese player at Melbourne Park.

Though Cerundolo's 2026 hard-court start hit a snag with a second-round loss to Jaume Munar in Adelaide, his overall form suggests a quick rebound. Zhang, meanwhile, has struggled early this year, dropping matches to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the United Cup and Nick Kyrgios at the Kooyong Classic exhibition, despite a recent win over Flavio Cobolli.

Head-to-head favors Cerundolo slightly at 1-2, including a straight-sets victory over Zhang at Eastbourne in 2023, giving the Argentine the edge in this revenge matchup. With odds listing Cerundolo at 1.42 and Zhang at 3.08, the value lies in backing the seed for a solid, profitable win—likely in four sets as Tennis Tonic predicts. For bettors eyeing steady returns, Cerundolo's experience makes him the smart $1 play to kick off the tournament strong.

Francisco Cerundolo arrives as the No. 18 seed, buoyed by a dazzling 2025 and a 63% win rate at the Australian Open. Analysts at The Stats Zone highlight his hard-court superiority to overpower Zhizhen Zhang, with Tennis Tonic predicting a four-set triumph.

Yet, Cerundolo's 2026 start hit a snag with a loss in Adelaide, while Zhang, despite early struggles, notched a win over Flavio Cobolli and eyes revenge after a past defeat. The odds at 1.42 for Cerundolo versus 3.08 for Zhang reflect the Argentine's edge, but Zhang's grit could test him.

Overall, Cerundolo's consistency and seeding should prevail, making him the profitable pick to advance.

Francisco Cerundolo enters the Australian Open as the clear favorite against Zhizhen Zhang, with bookmakers listing him at 1.42 compared to Zhang’s 3.08. Cerundolo’s recent form and overall adaptability on hard courts make him a formidable opponent. Despite a shaky start to 2026, losing in Adelaide to Jaume Munar, his Grand Slam record at Melbourne Park is impressive, boasting a 63% win rate. Analysts have highlighted his edge over Zhang, particularly after his straight-sets victory over the Chinese player at Eastbourne in 2023.

On the other hand, Zhang has struggled for consistency this year. Although he claimed a morale-boosting win over Flavio Cobolli recently, losses to Felix Auger-Aliassime and Nick Kyrgios showcase his vulnerability against higher-ranked opponents. While Zhang may see this match as an opportunity for revenge, his chances appear slim given Cerundolo’s superior baseline game and experience on the big stage.

The odds suggest a heavy lean toward Cerundolo, and rightly so. Zhang would need to defy both statistics and form to pull off an upset. Betting $1 on Cerundolo at 1.42 might yield smaller returns, but it aligns with a data-driven, safer strategy. The Argentine’s talent and track record position him as the logical choice for this matchup.