Tennis BETTING PREVIEW - Frances Tiafoe vs Jason Kubler

Tennis

2026-01-18 - Frances Tiafoe vs Jason Kubler

A Sports Betting Preview by FirstDown

Frances Tiafoe vs Jason Kubler
Tennis : Australian Open First Round
Sunday 18th January 2025 - Scheduled 7pm
6am (British Time)

---

Preview

It may feel like he has been around on the Tour forever, but Frances Tiafoe is 'only' turning 28 years old later this month and you have to feel there is still more to come from the American. He has slipped back to World Number 31 ahead of this tournament having failed to reach the Fourth Round in three of the four Grand Slam events played in 2025 and so the American can turn things back around with some strong efforts at the top tournaments.

In reality it has long felt like Frances Tiafoe has not really pushed onto the next level and hsi numbers have been steady, rather than spectacular.

There are 'x factors' that have helped him overcome some of those numbers and win the tight matches, but that somewhat deserted him in 2025 when finishing with a really disappointing 14-14 record on the hard courts.

One of the reasons for that record is the drop in the service numbers and Frances Tiafoe will know there is room for improvement.

He will need to handle the crowd in this opening match at the Australian Open against an Australian Qualifier and Jason Kubler is very comfortable on the hard courts, which makes him potentially dangerous.

Three wins on the board will mean Jason Kubler has a lot of confidence ahead of the main draw beginning and he only dropped a single set.

However, this is just the fifth match he will have had on the hard courts against a top 100 Ranked opponent over the last twelve months and you cannot dismiss the step up against a former top ten Ranked opponent.

Jason Kubler can return well enough to hurt Frances Tiafoe, especially with the service issues the American had in 2025, but this has been a tough match up for him in the past and the home hope may struggle to stick with the current World Number 31 in a best of five set format.

They have not faced one another since 2023, but Frances Tiafoe has won all three pro matches between these two players.

In the two previous hard court matches, Frances Tiafoe has proven to be the much more effective server and you have to feel that is going to be the outcome of this one.

Even if he drops a set, Frances Tiafoe may still have enough to eventually overcome this spread line set and he can be backed to do that this Sunday.

Prediction

2025 was a difficult year for the American, but he can begin turning his World Ranking around with a solid run in Melbourne that has to begin with a win over a home player who has come through the Qualifiers.

The Pick :

Frances Tiafoe 3-0 Jason Kubler

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Frances Tiafoe - 4.5 Games at 1.73 with Cloudbet