Tag: Serena Williams

Williams Sisters Face-off in the Ultimate Test of Sibling Rivalry

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The fairytale air surrounding the 2017 Australian Open will continue until the final point on Sunday night with two singles finals for the ages. Tonight (Saturday AEDT), the Williams’ sisters turn back the clock as Serena battles older sister Venus for the crown. On Sunday night, the dream final of Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal will decide the men’s singles titles after both veterans prevailed in five-set semi-finals.

Women’s Final: #13 Venus Williams (USA) v #2 Serena Williams (USA)

Eight years after their last major final, at ages 36 and 35, respectively, Venus and Serena Williams will meet in the Australian Open women’s final. A fortnight ago, it seemed ridiculous to expect such a scenario as Venus hadn’t reached the final at Melbourne Park in 14 years. But Rod Laver Arena is an appropriate venue for the sisters to renew their on-court rivalry at the highest level as it was on this court that they first faced each other in a professional match, way back in 1998. Venus emerged victorious in that second-round match in straight sets, but Serena has long left her pioneering sister in the proverbial dust. In their 27 tour meetings, Serena leads the head-to-head count 16-11 including seven of the past eight.

The rare occasions they’ve met are psychologically painful for both women, and their knowledge of each other’s game is almost total. Their most recent meeting, in the 2015 U.S. Open quarter-finals, was a three-setter. Indeed, more than half of their previous meetings have gone the distance, which is far higher than the three-set average for the WTA tour. Serena typically bulldozed her way through the tournament, without dropping a single set while improving with each match. After a relatively sub-par performance against Barbora Strycova, where she still won in straight sets, Williams roared back to thump arguably the most in-form player in the world right now, Johanna Konta.

Smoother path for Venus

She went to the next level to end the dream run of Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, winning 6-2 6-1. Venus fought back impressively to defeat Coco Vandeweghe, who had previously dumped Garbine Muguruza and defending champion Angelique Kerber out the tournament but had an easier path to the final, playing just two top 40 opponents, and only one seed (Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 24). Venus took Vandeweghe’s best punches, adjusted to her pace and improving as the match progressed and used her serve and forehand to shut the door. In reality, the 36-year-old is freerolling here and can play with abandon in a match no-one expected see her competing.

In contrast, Serena is a red-hot ($1.80) favourite, she’s playing her least preferred opponent, and she’s desperate for that 23rd major title to leave Steffi Graf behind on the all-time list. The last time she won a Slam, at Wimbledon last year, she dominated her semi against Elena Vesnina and edged Angelique Kerber in the final two days later. It could go the same way in Australia if Serena plays as well as she has throughout this fortnight. She has a slightly worse return game than her older sister, breaking opponents 40.1 per cent in the past 12 months on hard courts, compared to Venus’ 44.7 per cent, but Serena has an immensely better serve, holding 82.5 per cent with Venus at just 67.4 per cent. Serena wins, with three sets the best value (one unit @ $2.90 on Sportsbet).

Tennis: Australian Open Finals Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Men’s Final

The Players

Andy Murray – 27 year old Scotland born 6th seed.  Two time grand slam winner, and interestingly, just seven days older than his opponent.  One of the better defensive exponents in the game.  An excellent returner of serve and ball retriever – he has looked in excellent shape at this year’s Open.

Novak Djokovic – The Serbian number one seed is the heavy favourite after not dropping a set until the Semi-Final.  Has history on his side at the Australian Open and already 7 major titles to his name.  Strong, patient player with no weaknesses.

The Road to the Final

Andy Murray

1st round: d. Y.Bhambri 6-3 6-4 7-6(3)
2nd round: d. M.Matosevic 6-1 6-3 6-2
3rd round: d. J.Sousa 6-1 6-1 7-5
4th round: d. [10] G.Dimitrov 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3 7-5
QF: d. N.Kyrgios  6-3 7-6(5) 6-3
SF: d. [7] T.Berdych 6-7(6) 6-0 6-3 7-5

Novak Djokovic

1st round: d. A.Bedene 6-3 6-2 6-4
2nd round: d. A.Kuznetsov 6-0 6-1 6-4
3rd round: d. [31] F.Verdasco 7-6(8) 6-3 6-4
4th round: d. G.Muller 6-4 7-5 7-5
QF: d. [8] M.Raonic 7-6(5) 6-4 6-2
SF: d. [4] S.Wawrinka 7-6(1) 3-6 6-4 4-6 6-0

The Pair’s History

Djokovic leads 15-8 overall and has won on the four most recent encounters.  Three previous Australian Open meetings all won by Djokovic.

The Pair’s Australian Open Record

Andy Murray – Three time finalist (2010, 2011, 2013).  Note, two of the loses to Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic – Four previous titles (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013), including three in a row between 2011-13.  Never lost an Australian Open Final.

The Odds (courtesy of Unibet Australia)

Andy Murray – $2.80

Novak Djokovic – $1.45

The Winner

If Murray plays as aggressively as he did against Tomas Berdych he has a good chance.  He’ll need luck, he’ll need Djokovic to be a little below his best, and he’ll need to keep those fiery emotions in check.  We don’t think he’ll have all those factors in his favour – we’re tipping Djokovic in four.  Check the odds on a tie-break in the first set too.

The Unibet Special

Throughout this year’s Australian Open, you can get your stake refunded as cash if your player goes down in five sets.

This special is available on your first ‘Match’ (head-to-head) bet on all Australian Open matches. Cash refund capped at $50 per match.

Women’s Final 

The Players

Serena Williams – The 33 year old jointly holds the record for the second most number of grand slam titles with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova at 18 (Steffi Graf has the most at 22).  With a win in the 2015 Australian Open Final she’ll go into second on her own.

Maria Sharapova – At just 27 Sharapova has plenty of time to shake the Serena Williams hoodoo off, but needs to start soon.  Will take heart from Tomas Berdych’s win over Nadal after losing 17 in a row, after she herself has lost the last 15 against Serena.  Will call on her major final experience of which she has won 5.

The Road to the Final

Serena Williams

1st round: d. Alison Van Uytvanck 6-0 6-4
2nd round: d. Vera Zvonareva 7-5 6-0
3rd round: d. [26] Elina Svitolina 4-6 6-2 6-0
4th round: d. [24] Garbiñe Muguruza 2-6 6-3 6-2 (2h00)
QF: d. [11] Dominika Cibulkova 6-2 6-2
SF: d. Madison Keys 7-6(5) 6-2

Maria Sharapova

1st round: d. [Q] Petra Martic 6-4 6-1
2nd round: d. [Q] Alexandra Panova 6-1 4-6 7-5
3rd round: d. [31] Zarina Diyas 6-1 6-1
4th round: d. [21] Peng Shuai 6-3 6-0
QF: d. [7] Eugenie Bouchard 6-3 6-2
SF: d. [10] Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 6-2

The Pair’s History

Williams has totally dominated Sharapova over the years.  She holds an incredible 16-2 winning record against the Russian with the last victory coming in Miami last year.  The two share an incredible rivalry but if Sharapova can’t get another win soon, it will go down in history as an awfully one-sided rivalry.

The Pair’s Australian Open Record

Serena Williams – Has won the tile on five occasions (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010).

Maria Sharapova – One Australian Open title.  Won in 2008.

The Odds (courtesy of Luxbet Australia)

Serena Williams – $1.41

Maria Sharapova – $2.90

The Winner

Sharapova has done it easier than Serena thus far, but the gripping stranglehold might be too much to get past.  We see Serena winning this one in three.

Tennis: Australian Open Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The first tennis major of the year gets underway on Monday in Melbourne.  The 103rd edition of the Australian Open will see the world’s best compete in scorching heat inside Melbourne Park.  Expect drama filled late night tennis sessions and plenty of upsets over the two weeks, and use our guide below to place your bets.  Visit Sportsbet Australia to get a 25% bonus on all 4 leg multi-bets that come in.  They also have a useful Tennis Predictor if the seeds below crash out early.

Mens Preview

Who won last year?

Something strange happened in mens tennis at the Australian Open last year.  Namely, one of the big four didn’t win.  Instead, Stan Wawrinka shocked Rafael Nadal in four sets.  It was only the second time since 2005 that a player from the big four didn’t win a grand slam final.

Who are the seeds?

1. Novak Djokovic – The number one seed is also the overwhelming bookmakers favourite.  The four time Australian Open champion at all tournaments, on all surfaces, and against every opponent.  Djokovic is the most consistent of the big four, he won seven times in 2014, and after winning his third consecutive World Tour Finals title in London in November will be difficult to beat here.  Odds = $2.00
2. Roger Federer – The timeless gentleman of the game is still one of its best.  The 33-year-old may be without a grand slam win since Wimbledon in 2012, but his competitors will right him off at their peril.  His 2014 featured a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, a Davis Cup win, and semi finals at the Australian and US Opens.  He has also recently chalked up his 1000th career win.  Odds = $6.50
3. Rafael Nadal – Nadal comes into 2015 short of fitness and short of match practice.  That doesn’t necessarily rule him out of contention given he’s battled with knee injuries for much of his career, but it will take every inch of his significant mental ability to make the final rounds.  Nadal started 2015 by being upset in the third round at the Qatar Open where he was defending his title.  On the plus side, he did manage to win the doubles title with Juan Monaco.  Odds = $8.00
4. Stan Wawrinka – With an Olympic gold medal and now an Australian Open in his trophy room, 2015 could be another bumper year for Wawrinka.  The Melbourne courts are also a favourite of the aggressive Swiss veteran. With a bit of luck he’s a big chance to go back to back if he continues his hotmkaing approach.  Odds = $13.00
5. Kei Nishikori – The highly aggressive baseline player from Japan enjoyed a breakout season in 2014.  The peak of which was his runner up effort in the US Open, where he played some sensational tennis in the lead up to the final, but unfortunately let nerves effect him too much in the final where he was cast aside by Marin Čilić.  Nishikori won four times in 2014, defeating quality players on the way including Wawrinka and Djokovic.  Odds = $17.00
6. Andy Murray – The two time grand slam winner did not particularly enjoy 2014.  Amongst major injury and form inconsistency, Murray made only one grand slam semi-final (Roland Garos).  Potentially contributing to the disappointing results was his decision to replace coach Ivan Lendl with Amélie Mauresmo in June.  However, Murray was able to play some better tennis towards the end of the season, making the ATP World Tour Finals and finding a way back up the world rankings.  Odds = $11.00

Who is in form?

Federer, Wawrinka and David Ferrer have all had wins in early 2015.  Nadal and Djokovic lost unexpectedly in Doha.

Who are we predicting?

Djokovic’s record in Melbourne is too good to overlook.  We’re predicting him to take out the 2015 Australian Open from Andy Murray in the final.

Womens Preview

Who won last year?

Last year’s Open final was an affair featuring two surprising names.  They were, 21st seed Dominika Cibulková and China’s 4th seed Li Na.  As it transpired, Li Na was the winner in two sets.  2014 was Li’s final year on tour; she won’t be back to defend her title.

Who are the seeds?

1. Serena Williams – Serena on her day is far better than the other five names on the seeded player list below.  Her dominant serve and power forehand are generally too much for her opponents.  That said, 2014 wasn’t all that kind to her; a win at Flushing Meadows was the only time she made it past a grand slam quarter final.  Odds = $3.75

2. Maria Sharapova – A win in a week ago will do her confidence the world of good and has seen her enlisted as one of the draws favourites.  She also took home $195,000 for the win.  The glamour girl of tennis is big chance to add to her 2008 Australian Open trophy.  Odds = $5.00
3. Simona Halep – If 2014 was unkind to Maria Sharapova, it was generous to Halep.  She made it to the top two ranked players in the world, made her first major, and debuted in the WTA finals debut.  The diminutive Romanian is worth a punt.  Odds = $8.00
4. Petra Kvitova – Winning Wimbledon is the highlight of Kvitova’s career thus far, but that doesn’t mean she’s a one year pony.  Not at all.  Her 2102, featured two semi-finals, a quarter final and a 4th round in the four majors, meaning she has plenty of experience at the business end of tournaments.  Odds = $10.00
5. Ana Ivanovic – The Serbian has bounced around the top echelon of women’s tennis for nearly ten years.  We say bounce because she has yo yo’ed up and down the rankings when confidence and form disappeared, sometimes as low as number 22. However, last years 4th round win against Serena Williams was as impressive a performance as you’re bound to see, so she may be able to feed off that and compete this week.  Odds = $19.00
6. Agnieszka Radwanska – The Polish number 6th ranked player has been consistent over the past few years without being able to find a way to a grand slam final.  After reaching number two in the world, her nation hoped she would become one of their sporting superstars in a similar manner to Robert Lewandowski and Marcin Gortat.  A win at the Australian Open will achieve that.  Odds = $21.00

Who is in form?

Venus Williams won the ASB Classic in Auckland,  Simona Halep the Shenzhen Open,  Maria Sharapova won the Brisbane International, and Petra Kvitova won in Sydney.

Who are we predicting?

Form isn’t always the best indicator in the women’s game.  Conceivably, 15 players have a chance in the sweltering heat.  Probability though tells us Serena and Sharapova will be there or thereabouts, and if we had to pick one we would go with Williams (that’s a way of hedging our bets on either of the sisters).