NFTeams Australian Open Grand Final Review

Congratualtions to The Mustering Moo Cows who go down in history as the 1st NFTeams tournament winner.

Here's how todays action unfolded on Rod Laver Arena.

The bookies were expecting a close game between Barbara Krejcikova & Madison Keys setting the games handicap at +/- 0.5. However Madison Keys put in a dominating display to win 6-3 6-2 easily covering the line. The straight sets victory for the American also meant the match easily fell under the 22.5 total games line.

The Mustering Moo Cows & The Artful Steers both go 2/2 in game 1 to take an early lead. The Astonishing Monkeys are the only team to use either the DD or +/- successfully in game 1 to sit in 3rd place with 1.6 points. Interestingly The Mustering Moo Cows are the only team in the final 8 not to use their +/-, it will be intriguing to watch if the bold tactics pay off with a close battle expected. The Calm Taurus has a bit off catch up work to do after firing blanks in the 1st game.

Leader board after game 1

1st The Artful Steers 2

= The Mustering Moo Cows 2

3rd Astonishing Monkeys 1.6

4th Repulsed Pouncers 1

= Calculating Simians 1

= The Alert Oxs 1

7th Representing Primates 0.4

8th The Calm Taurus 0

Game 2 saw a 5 set thriller between Denis Shapovalov & Rafael Nadal. Rafa came out firing to take a 2 set lead & only needed to take the 3rd set to cover the -4.5 line. A straight sets victory would have meant the total games would finish well under the 38.5 total games line. However the 14th seed Shapovalov fought back strongly to take the next 2 sets before Nadal broke the Canadian's heart by winning the deciding set. Although defeated Shapovalov covered the +4.5 line & took the games total well over the 38.5 total games line.

The Calm Taurus were the big movers in game 2 moving from last place up to equal 2nd alongside The Mustering Moo Cows. After a scoreless 1st game they picked up 3 points in game 2 & were the only team to successfully use the DD option. The Artful Steers continued their perfect tipping streak & have so far gone 4/4 to sit top off the leader board. Astonishing Monkeys & The Alert Oxs were the big losers after both teams failed to pick up any points in game 2 & are now 7th & 8th respectively.

Leader board after game 2

1st The Artful Steers 4

2nd The Mustering Moo Cows 3

= The Calm Taurus 3

4th Repulsed Pouncers 2.6

5th Representing Primates 2.4

6th Calculating Simians 2

7th Astonishing Monkeys 1.6

8th The Alert Oxs 1

The night session on Rod Laver Arena commenced with top seed Ash Barty continuing her fabulous form as she demolished Jessica Pegula 6-2 6-0. The Aussie easily covered the -5.5 games handicap line whilst the under 19.5 total games was easily covered with the straight sets victory.

After the conclusion of game 3 only 3 teams were left with a mathematical chance off winning the tournament. Only 0.6 points covered the top 4, unfortunately for the 3rd place Representing Primates their tournament dreams were over due to the other teams selections in game 4. This left it to the battle off the bulls with the Artful Steers & The Mustering Moo Cows knowing they just needed to get their +/- 2.5 handicap games selection correct to win the tournament. The Artful Steers would be cheering on Matteo Berrettini whilst The Mustering Moo Cows would be in the corner off the flamboyant Gael Monfils. The road to victory would be a little trickier for The Calm Taurus with them needing to go 2/2 in game 4 which would send it to the tiebreaker.

Leader board after game 3

1st The Artful Steers 5.6

= The Calm Taurus 5.6

3rd Representing Primates 5.4

4th The Mustering Moo Cows 5

5th The Alert Oxs 4

6th Repulsed Pouncers 2.6

= Astonishing Monkeys 2.6

8th Calculating Simians 2

In the evening's final game 7th seed Matteo Berrettini took the opening 2 sets before Gael Monfils fought back to level the match at 2 sets all. Going into a 5th set guaranteed the match going over 39.5 games. After the 4th set Monfils was leading the total games won 20-18 which meant he only needed to win 2 games in the deciding set to clinch the tournament for The Mustering Moo Cows. Berrettini came out flying in the final set taking a 5-1 lead which meant the tournament would come down to the 7th game in the final set. With Monfils holding serve he guaranteed victory for The Mustering Moo Cows.

Final leaderboard

1st The Mustering Moo Cows 8

2nd The Alert Oxs 6.6

3rd The Calm Taurus 6.6

4th The Artful Steers 5.6

5th Representing Primates 5.4

6th Repulsed Pouncers 4.6

7th Astonishing Monkeys 4.6

8th Calculating Simians 1.4