Game, Set, Bet, presented by BetMGM: Thanasi Kokkinakis vs. Andrey Rublev, Adelaide

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We hope you weren't planning to be eased back into tennis season—there is no true offseason in this sport. We have seen a number of excellent exhibition matches and team events in recent weeks, and now some of the top players in the world are playing in meaningful tournaments. One of those happens to be Adelaide International 2, which will see a clash between Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis and world No. 6 Andrey Rublev in the Round of 16. This is a matchup that should be rather fun to watch, and it's one in which we see an opportunity to make a little money.

While Rublev is the more accomplished player, the Russian opened the 2023 season with a three-set loss at the hands of Roberto Bautista Agut in another Adelaide-based tournament. The 25-year-old never found his groove, but it wasn't all that surprising after Rublev had an up-and-down month of exhibition matches in December. Take exos for what they are, but a loss to world No. 139 Stan Wawrinka illustrates to me that the Russian still has some work to do before finding his form.

Now, Rublev is facing the difficult task of defeating a big server, on his home soil. And while we think he'll ultimately prevail, but it's hard to see this match playing out in Georgia-over-TCU fashion.

It's difficult to comfortably win matches when facing somebody as powerful as Kokkinakis, who had a hold percentage of 83.7% last year. The 26-year-old is already holding at an 89.5% clip to start the new season. Kokkinakis could run into some trouble when he and Rublev exchange blows in longer rallies, but quick points will be the name of the game for the Australian. He'll simply look to handle his business when it's his turn to serve, and that should result in a lengthy match.

Kokkinakis has played four tiebreakers in the seven sets he has played in Adelaide, and edged out countryman Alexei Popyrin 7-5 in the third to advance to this contest. With that in mind, it's hard to believe Rublev will find ways to put Kokkinakis easily, especially with the crowd urging the Aussie on. It wouldn't be that surprising if Kokkinakis were to actually force a deciding set in this match, but we love the fact that the Over can hit even if this one is all squared away after two.

These odds are definitely a little juicier than we'd want them to be, but there's a reason for that. The oddsmakers know this one is likely to go Over, and they want to make you pay up to bet it.

Bet: Over 22.5 Games (-155)