Rafael Nadal snubbed as Mats Wilander picks Australian Open title favourite

Novak Djokovic: Martina Navratilova addresses situation

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Daniil Medvedev is the “strong favourite” to win consecutive Grand Slams at the Australian Open, according to Mats Wilander. The Swedish legend predicted that the US Open champion will have “no problem at all” in beating Nick Kyrgios in the second round on Thursday.

The Russian lost to Novak Djokovic in the Melbourne final last year but gained revenge on the world No.1 in New York.

Nine-time champion Djokovic was deported before the first Major of the season to leave 2009 winner Rafa Nadal as the only past champion left in the field.

The Spaniard is also bidding to set a new male record of 21 singles Grand Slam titles to break the tie he shares with Djokovic and Roger Federer.

But Eurosport tennis expert and seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander said: “I think Daniil Medvedev is the strong favourite I think because of the way he plays.

“You have to go after him, you have to beat him because he is not going to beat himself. He is going to hang back if he has to, he is going to come in if he can.

“But he is going to have a great attitude whoever he plays – Nick Kyrgios in the second round is no problem at all.

“He really is starting to become a Rafa [Nadal], he just shows up for every single match and you know what to expect and he delivers.

“I think he is the strong favourite but if somebody comes out with guns blazing like Zverev did at the ATP Finals then someone can beat Medvedev, for sure.”

Wilander added: “I think you can lose your motivation once you win a Grand Slam depending on where you are in your career but for Medvedev winning a Slam came at a good time, he beat the best player most probably of all-time in the finals.

“He could dominate the next four or five years, not in terms of winning three Slams a year, but in terms of getting to semi-finals, getting to finals, probably winning one or two Slams every year. Medvedev is becoming the guy that can consistently get to the later rounds of Majors and if you do that then you will win a bunch of them.”

Medvedev will be denied “the challenge” of beating Djokovic at his most successful Slam this year – or perhaps ever.

The world No.2 said: “I remember last year where I was like, Well, okay, that’s a good challenge, trying to stop him. Was far, far away from doing that.

“Actually I like challenges, so I would love to have this chance again to play him maybe in the final or something like this here in Rod Laver, even if he beat me or not, it’s a good challenge and I like challenges in my career.

“But, it cannot change my approach, because it’s still seven tough matches to win. If we talk about the US Open where I managed to beat him in the final, it was the same. I had six tough matches against tough opponents to get in the final. And no matter how I do here, how far I go, if I’m in the final, who I play, it’s not gonna be easy and you need to show your best to win a Slam.”

Medvedev will also have to overcome fervent local support when he takes on Kyrgios in the high-profile night match in the Rod Laver Arena tomorrow.

“It’s definitely going to be not easy against the crowd,” said the Russian. “He’s going to try to pump himself up, like, he likes to play big names.

“But I will do my preparation, I will try to play good. If I’m going to be playing good it’s not going to be easy for him and probably we’re gonna have a good match.”

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