Big-serving Kevin Anderson could be the man to upset the big two

Quarter-final matches from midday Thursday

Six of the world’s top 25 travel to Abu Dhabi for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship and Novak Djokovic is a warm order to start the new campaign where he left off last season.

The silky Serb confirmed his resurgence with victories at Wimbledon and the US Open and, with the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne fast approaching, the 31-year-old will be eager to get his preparations off to a flyer.

The format of the event means Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are already in the last four. Rising star Hyeon Chung tackles big-serving Kevin Anderson and Dominic Thiem meets Karen Khachanov as they aim to join the illustrious duo in the semis.

Anderson is the defending champion having defeated Pablo Carreno Busta, Thiem and Roberto Bautista Agut on his way to glory last season and if anyone has the tools to upset the big two then the powerful South African looks most likely.

A semi-final showdown with Nadal would be the prize if he comes past Chung, who trails Anderson 2-0 in their personal series, with Djokovic the forecasted opponent in the final.

But Anderson, who was a runner-up at Wimbledon in July, has proved time and time again that he can compete with the game's elite and he may be more wound up than most with his title on the line.

Recommendation
K Anderson
1pt 9-2 bet365

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport