Andy Murray odds-on for Australian Open following Novak Djokovic's shock exit
Friday 20 January 2017 08:52, UK
Andy Murray has been installed the odds-on favourite to win the Australian Open following Novak Djokovic's shock second-round loss.
The reigning champion went down in five sets to world No 117 Denis Istomin to end his hopes of landing an unprecedented seventh title at the season's first Grand Slam.
Djokovic headed Down Under as the 11/8 favourite to triumph at Melbourne Park following his Qatar Open final win over Murray, who wrestled the No 1 status from the Serb's grasp at the end of 2016.
However, Murray, who has been a losing finalist in five of the last seven finals at the Rod Laver Arena, has now been cut from 13/8 to just 5/6 with Sky Bet to land his first Australian Open title.
Milos Raonic is considered the Scot's main opposition for the title at 6/1, with Stan Wawrinka (13/2), Rafael Nadal (10/1), Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori (both 16/1) following in the betting.
Djokovic has struggled to produce his best tennis since completing the career Grand Slam at the French Open, failing to defend three of the four major titles held when he triumphed at Roland Garros.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion remains favourite for the season's three other majors, including being priced at 6/5 for the French Open.
Should Murray conform to the odds and lift the trophy in Melbourne, he would be hunting a career Grand Slam in Paris, where he has never won, but is 7/2 to improve on last year's final loss on the Philippe Chatrier.
