The First Serve: DraftKings DFS Tennis Picks for 1/14/2025 (Australian Open Day 3)

Hey there, RotoBallers! I am Brandon Wampler and I have been playing Tennis DFS since the beginning! After back-to-back days of 30+ matches, tonight, we will see a return to a manageable 23-match slate. Today's slate will not be any easier, however, navigating it together will help us return to winning ways.

In this article, you will find my favorite high-priced, mid-tier, and cheap plays for the DraftKings DFS Tennis slate on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Without any further ado, let's get into the picks!

High-Tier DFS Tennis Picks ($9K+)

Sebastian Korda - DK $9.5K | ATP Rank: 22  

Opponent - Alexsandar Vukic | ATP Rank: 68

There are plenty of options at the top of the salary range for tonight, with Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz highlighting the slate. Despite the big three being the most sought-after players to roster, Sebastian Korda will be the player mentioned. Sitting at the bottom of the high-salary range, Korda has just as good of a matchup as the other three. Korda and Aleksandar Vukic (DK $5.3K) have played each other three different times, twice in Challengers ‘weaker’ tournaments and once in an ATP tour tournament. Vukic won once on hard court and Korda won the other hard court match, as well as the clay match.

Korda has a proven track record throughout his career, especially on hard court. A surface that both he and Vukic prefer. However, the former has a positive record in the past year, whereas the former has won 13 of 31 matches played. Vukic did beat Damir Dzumhur to get to this point, however, Korda provides a much steeper challenge. One, Vukic is expected to fall to. 

Expected Outcome: Korda 3-0                                           

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Coco Gauff (DK $11.3K), Novak Djokovic (DK $11.1K), and Carlos Alcaraz (DK $11K)

Mid-Tier DFS Tennis Picks ($7.6K-$8.9K)

Casper Ruud - DK $7.8K | ATP Rank: 6  

Opponent - Jakub Mensik | ATP Rank: 48

This matchup will be far from a cakewalk, however, Casper Ruud’s salary does him a disservice. The veteran has shown time and time again that he can handle the world’s elite. He is coming off a narrow 3-2 win against Juan Munar, though, and his confidence looks a bit shaky. Jakub Mensik will provide a tough challenge as well. The youngster beat both Ben Shelton and Pablo Carreno-Busta in the Auckland tournament last week, albeit measuring a player’s success in a tournament prior to a major is difficult. Looking back even further, Mensik made it to the Next Gen ATP Finals, where he lost to Joao Fonseca. The same Fonseca that just upset Andrey Rublev in straight sets last night.

Despite the phenomenal play of the youngster, Ruud edges him out on a metric basis, backing up his success against big opponents. Mensik has the potential to take a set from Ruud, but at the latter’s salary, that won’t affect his value too much. 

Expected Outcome:  Ruud 3-1                                                      

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Kostyuk (DK $8.8K), Draper (DK $8.7K), Paul (DK $8.6K)

Low-Tier DFS Tennis Picks (<$7.5K)

Anastasia Potapova - DK $6.9K | WTA Rank: 36

Opponent - Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova | WTA Rank: 32

The Battle of the Anastasias showcases tonight, and rightfully so, the match is a pickem. In Tennis, whenever there is a pickem, the dog is the optimal option due to salary and the risk of paying too much for a potential loss. Both WTA players prefer hard court, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova possesses the better record from last season.

Both players have showcased their abilities against higher-ranked opposition, with Pavlyuchenkova showcasing this ability more frequently. The one reason that Anastasia deserves a shutout is because of her ability to limit Unforced Errors and also Break Points Against. Whereas Pavlyuchenkova suffered in both metrics in her close match against Yue Yuan last night. If Potapova can lock in early, she could be a key to shipping a tournament tonight. 

Expected Outcome: Potapova 2-1                                               

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Fearnley (DK $7.5K), Duckworth (DK $6.7K), Kokkinakis (DK $5.8K)

ATP Rankings

All Rankings are adjusted by stats, form, and history

Worst 0 - 20 Best

WTA Rankings

All Rankings are adjusted by stats, form, and history

Worst 0 - 20 Best

Thanks for reading The First Serve! Good luck in all of your contests today! If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else don’t hesitate to email me [email protected] or via Twitter @df_solutions