Five times Australian Open Champion Serena Williams comes into Melbourne as a very strong favourite. The American is very short to win a title she last lifted back in 2010, so does the 32-year-old represent value?
Women’s Singles Preview
Serena Williams, currently the oldest World No. 1 in the WTA’s history, has won four out of the last six Grand Slams. On the American’s CV, she can also boast seventeen Grand Slam titles and the first woman to win more than ten million dollars in a season, which was achieved in 2013.
When one looks at the stats, it may be very easy to get carried away and assume all Williams has to do is turn up and collect the trophy. With closer inspection however, it can be argued that when Williams’ heads down under, since 2010, things have not always gone to plan.
Having missed the 2011 renewal through injury, the American has fared no better than a quarter final spot last year, losing to fellow American, Sloane Stephens. Getting no younger, it is my view that Williams may simply struggle in the Melbourne heat and not last the distance.
Williams has also been handed a tough draw. Having avoided lasts year’s conqueror, Sloane Stephens; the fiery No. 1 seed could meet the likes of, Li Na, Kvitova, Lisicki and Kerber. Make no mistake, the big serving American fears no one but she will have to be at her best to negotiate a path to the final.
Trading currently 1.65 on Betdaq, the current US Open Champion represents no value.
So where do we look for the winner. 2011 French Open Champion Li Na is one to consider. The World No.4 has a good pedigree in Melbourne having reached the final in 2011 and 2013. Although error prone during matches, the Chinese player has a good all round game and could trouble Williams if the pair meets.
However in Williams half of the draw, my idea of the potential finalist is Petra Kvitova. The Czech reached the semi final stages of this event in 2012 and the former Wimbledon Champion may just be coming back to form.
Back into the top ten following victory in The Pacific Open at the back end of last year, Kvitova will be a danger to all. The lefty possesses a great serve and if firing on all cylinders the Czech may take some stopping.
Career Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova has not tasted victory in Melbourne since 2008, her one and only victory. Unfortunately for the Russian, a reoccurrence of an old right shoulder injury in August has stopped her in her tracks. Similar to Murray in the Men’s, I feel coming back from such an injury raises fitness doubts and for that reason the Russian is overlooked.
Current holder and World No. 2 Victoria Azarenka is my idea of the winner. It’s remarkable to think that the Belarusian, who has won the last two renewals of this event, is trading as high as 7.00 on the exchange.
With fitness doubts surrounding Sharapova, Azarenka’s path to the final may not be as difficult as first thought. Azarenka’s hardest task may come in the earlier rounds. Scheduled to meet the likes of Sloane Stephen’s and Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska, Azarenka will have to be on top of her game early on.
Victoria Azarenka’s head 2 head with Serena Williams is not impressive. Currently standing 14-3 in the American’s favour it does not inspire confidence. However, it is the Wagga Man’s belief that a player along the way may well do the job for her in the earlier rounds.
Azarenka last beat Williams in Cincinnati just before their US Open final meeting last year. That’s not so long ago and if the pair meets in the final, Azarenka has every chance of upsetting the big hitting American.
Of others to note, keep an eye on Sabine Lisicki. The 24-year-old German is in the same quarter as Kvitova and if the pair should meet, the former Wimbledon finalist will be a tough opponent for the Czech.
Wagga Man’s Prediction;
Winner; Victoria Azarenka. Runner up; Petra Kvitova.
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