Australian Open odds, picks: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Corentin Moutet best bet Thursday

Carlos Alcaraz is one of the biggest draws in tennis, but he won’t be the most entertaining player on the court during his match Thursday night. That’s because Alcaraz is taking on the bombastic Corentin Moutet, a fiery-but-diminutive Frenchman whose antics and shot-making ability are worth the price of admission. Moutet, ranked No. 32 in the world at the moment, is a massive 20/1 underdog to beat Alcaraz. There were questions about how Carlos Alcaraz would handle his first Grand Slam without longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. So far, so good for the Spaniard. Alcaraz swept Adam Walton aside in Round 1 and did the same to Yannick Hanfmann in the Round of 64. Moutet will provide a more thorough test for Alcaraz, who has never made it beyond the quarterfinals in Melbourne, but this is expected to be one-way traffic in favor of the six-time Grand Slam champion. I would push back on that a little bit. Moutet is not known for his power or natural talent, but he’s a relentless worker and an unpredictable opponent. He will try things in high-leverage moments that very few players would goof around with on the practice court. Throw in his fiery temperament, and you just never know what is going to happen every time the 26-year-old steps in between the lines. Alcaraz is a passionate player, but the last thing he wants is for this match to turn into a circus. All he wants is to get off the court as quickly as possible, to save his legs for the business end of the tournament. Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps • Check out the best sports betting sites and apps A more aggressive approach from Alcaraz should play into Moutet’s hands, as the underdog thrives at extending rallies and forcing you into mistakes because you are rushing. The likeliest outcome is that this is an unfussy victory for the World No. 1, but don’t be afraid to back Moutet to nick a set or catch Alcaraz off-balance in the opening frame. The Play: Over 3.5 sets (+205, FanDuel) | Corentin Moutet to win Set 1 (+590, FanDuel) Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.