Anderson to repeat US Open heroics Down Under?

Cape Town - Will South Africa's No 1 player Kevin Anderson repeat his heroics from last year's US Open at 2018's first Grand Slam in Melbourne?

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Anderson memorably reached the final at Flushing Meadows in New York in September 2017, losing to Spanish great Rafael Nadal in the title decider.

Anderson will look to go one step better at the Australian Open starting on Monday, January 15 and emulate the last - and only - South African to date to have won the Australian Open, Johan Kriek in 1981.

Anderson, now ranked 11th in the latest ATP Tour world rankings, is the 13th-favourite for the title, according to local bookmakers BET.co.za.

Anderson is on offer at an attractive 57/1 to land his maiden Grand Slam title.

Particularly attractive odds when one considers the list of walking-wounded players heading Down Under.

All of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic have injury concerns, while Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori have already withdrawn from the tournament.

Defending champion Roger Federer has been installed as the 7/4 favourite, followed by Nadal (19/4), Djokovic (5/1) and Grigor Dimitrov (39/4).