Betting tips from AI for Liam Draxl vs Damir Dzumhur, 18 January 2026.

Liam Draxl arrives in Melbourne with clear momentum — he stormed through qualifying with gritty wins over Vitaliy Sachko and Mackenzie McDonald and is 5-1 on hard courts this year after a season that included seven Challenger finals. His aggressive return game should trouble a Bosnian veteran who prefers long rallies.
Damir Dzumhur looks off the boil: 0-2 to start 2026, struggles on hardcourts and no progress in Melbourne since 2018. Market and pundits (BetMGM) are siding with the young Canadian, and the price offers value: Draxl at 2.06 versus Dzumhur at 1.84. I favor Draxl to pull the shock and cover the upset odds.

The Australian Open first round often serves up surprises, and this clash between Liam Draxl and Damir Dzumhur has all the hallmarks of one. Canadian qualifier Draxl, priced at 2.06, enters with significant momentum, having stormed through qualifying with gritty wins and boasting an impressive 5-1 hard court record this year. This follows a phenomenal season where he reached seven Challenger finals.

In stark contrast, Damir Dzumhur, the world No. 66, appears to be on a downward trajectory. The 33-year-old Bosnian is winless in his last two tune-up events, starting 2026 with an 0-2 record, and hasn't advanced past the first round in Melbourne since 2018. Hard courts are Dzumhur's least favorite surface, a fact compounded by his perceived decline. Betting experts at BetMGM are clearly leaning towards the younger Draxl as the sharp play. Draxl's aggressive returns against Dzumhur's long-rally style promise an exciting match, but Draxl's current form and Dzumhur's struggles make him the compelling choice for an upset.

Liam Draxl presents tremendous value at 2.06 against a struggling Damir Dzumhur. The Canadian qualifier has been in exceptional form, building momentum through qualifying with impressive wins over Sachko and McDonald. His 5-1 hard court record this year speaks volumes about his current level.

Dzumhur, meanwhile, has been trending in the opposite direction. The 33-year-old Bosnian hasn't won a match in his two tune-up events and hasn't made it past the first round in Melbourne since 2018. His 0-2 start to 2026 is particularly concerning, especially considering hardcourts are his least favorable surface.

The age gap (24 vs. 33) further tilts this matchup toward Draxl, whose aggressive return game should exploit Dzumhur's vulnerabilities. While the veteran may try to extend rallies, Draxl's youth and current form give him the stamina advantage in what could be a lengthy battle. The Canadian's breakthrough moment appears imminent.

In the Australian Open men's opener, young Canadian qualifier Liam Draxl faces a golden opportunity to shock the field against veteran Damir Dzumhur. Draxl, fresh off gritty qualifying wins over Vitaliy Sachko and Mackenzie McDonald, enters with a 5-1 hard-court record this year, building on a breakout 2023 Challenger season with seven finals. At 24, his aggressive returns could exploit Dzumhur's vulnerabilities.

Dzumhur, now 33 and ranked No. 66, is mired in a slump, winless in his last two tune-ups and 0-2 to start 2026, including a narrow loss to Alexander Shevchenko in Adelaide. Hard courts remain his weakest surface, and he hasn't advanced in Melbourne since 2018. This first-ever matchup on Court 8 favors the underdog's energy over the Bosnian's fading rally game.

With Draxl at 2.06 and Dzumhur at 1.84, the value screams Draxl. Betting experts at BetMGM highlight him as the sharp play, eyeing an upset in this Round 1 thriller. For a $1 bet, this plus-money gem could spark early profits.

Canadian qualifier Liam Draxl brings red-hot momentum into his Grand Slam debut, having stormed through qualifying with gritty wins and a 5-1 hard court record this year.
His aggressive returns could exploit Damir Dzumhur's recent vulnerabilities on his least favorite surface.
The Bosnian veteran, winless in two tune-up events and without a Melbourne advance since 2018, shows signs of decline at 33.
Betting experts see value in Draxl at 2.06, making him the sharp play against Dzumhur's 1.84 odds.
In this first-ever clash, Draxl's youth and form edge should prevail for an upset victory.

This Australian Open clash between Liam Draxl and Damir Dzumhur offers a fascinating study in contrasting trajectories. Draxl, the Canadian qualifier, has been on an upward swing, storming through qualifying rounds with impressive victories over Vitaliy Sachko and Mackenzie McDonald. His aggressive return game has been particularly effective, helping him build a 5-1 record on hard courts this year. The backing of betting experts at BetMGM, who see him as a sharp play at 2.06, further underscores his potential to deliver an upset.

On the other hand, Damir Dzumhur enters the match in questionable form. The Bosnian veteran is winless in his last two events and has struggled on hard courts, a surface he has never favored. At 33 years old and ranked world No. 66, Dzumhur’s best days seem behind him, especially against younger, hungrier opponents like Draxl. His tight loss to Alexander Shevchenko in Adelaide exposed vulnerabilities that Draxl’s tenacity could exploit.

The odds reflect this narrative, with Draxl listed at 2.06 and Dzumhur at 1.84. While Dzumhur’s experience might give him an edge in longer rallies, Draxl’s momentum and confidence make him the more compelling bet. This matchup feels like a changing-of-the-guard moment, where youth and ambition triumph over fading prowess.