Australian Open: day nine betting preview, tips and TV details

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Tiafoe v Nadal
The Australian Open draw has opened up beautifully for Rafael Nadal and it will be a surprise if the Spaniard fails to make the final with Roger Federer having been eliminated.

Nadal's reward for a blinding 6-0 6-1 7-6 triumph over Tomas Berdych is a date with improving American Frances Tiafoe.

After a disappointing Hopman Cup, the unseeded Tiafoe has stepped it up nicely at Melbourne Park with wins over fifth seed Kevin Anderson, Andreas Seppi and 20th seed Grigor Dimitrov.

It's possible he could make life tough for Nadal – Tiafoe is physic­ally strong himself – but it's likelier that the Majorcan will find a way to grind down Tiafoe, who is still relatively inexperienced with just one main-tour title under his belt.

Nadal is a shade of odds-on giving up 7.5 games on the handicap and that looks the best bet.

Recommendation
R Nadal -7.5 games
1pt 4-5 Hills

Bautista Agut v Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas posted the biggest win of his career when ousting Roger Federer in four sets in round four, but the Greek is no good thing to follow up.

Tsitsipas is meeting an experienced player performing at his peak and Roberto Bautista Agut could be hugely difficult to defeat.
The Doha champion is unbeaten this year and has a great chance to extend that run.

Bautista Agut has already seen off Andy Murray, John Millman, Karen Khachanov and Marin Cilic and given that Tsitsipas is still relatively inexper­ienced the 14th seed will do well to maintain his positive spirit against one of the fittest players on the tour.

Recommendation
R Bautista Agut
1pt 11-10 general

Kvitova v Barty
Petra Kvitova and Ash Barty have shown their Sydney final form to be strong by reaching the last eight of the Australian Open.

Kvitova edged the honours in New South Wales last Sunday, but while the Czech is playing beautifully she could still be vulnerable if Barty keeps on nipping away at her in Melbourne.

The Australian may feel mentally fresher after failing to win that final. Kvitova leads their personal series 3-0 but something has to give in this one and Barty would still be perfectly capable of reeling in her opponent should the favourite take the first set, as was the case in the previous round against Maria Sharapova.

Recommendation
A Barty
1pt 13-10 bet365, Betway, Hills

Pavlyuchenkova v Collins
This match should be a cracker with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who may be playing the best tennis of her career, taking on dogged battler Danielle Collins, who absolutely thrashed Angelique Kerber in her last singles outing.

Pavs is the one doing it by the book – her supporters have waited a long time for her to play like this on a hard court – but even the red-hot Russian may not be safe from her American opponent.

Although it's easy to see why Pavlyuchenkova is edging market leadership, it's difficult to pick a winner so it could be worth backing the clash to last for 21 games or more.

Recommendation
Over 20.5 games
1pt 8-11 Betway

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