Australian Open Quarters: Serena vs. Azarenka Repeat

Melbourne, Australia – Tennis bettors in the know will remember the R16 clash between Serena and Azarenka in Melbourne last year, when the Belarusian had Serena on the ropes after winning the first set 6-3. The worst thing that could possibly happen to a player when they are winning happened to Azarenka. She began to visibly struggle with the record temperatures in Melbourne. Serena capitalized on the moment to take a 4-2 lead in the second set when Azarenka, almost at the point of collapsing, called it a match.

Serena never had the full satisfaction of victory against Azarenka but neither did Azarenka complete the upset. Victoria Azarenka went on to beat Serena later that year in the Sony Ericsson Open final, convincingly mind 6-3, 6-1. Proving she could beat the great Serena. Some would have the victory down to Serena’s knee injury at the time however. Point is, Azarenka has yet to prove she can beat a great competitor, as Serena is, on a big stage, in a big match.

Serena takes a 3-1 lifetime edge over Azarenka into the quarterfinals. She is the defending champion and the massive favourite to win outright. If she is in the same form she displayed against Stosur in the last 16, which was nigh perfect, Azarenka, a considerable underdog, has no chance.

Tennis Betting Line:

Serena Williams -4½ -125 -500 20½ O -130 U -110 12½ O +110 U -150
Victoria Azarenka +4½ -115 +300 9½ O -120 U -120

First Set:

Serena Williams -350 9½ O +105 U -145
Victoria Azarenka +225 9½ O +105 U -145

Second Set:

Serena Williams -300 9½ O +110 U -150
Victoria Azarenka +200 9½ O +110 U -150

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Match Set Line:

Serena Williams -1½ -130 2½ O +185 U -250
Victoria Azarenka +1½ -110 2½ O +185 U -250

Match Time: 09:00 PM Eastern Time Tuesday January 26, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Serena Williams is listed at a fair price of -500 to win outright. She is an almost sure thing in the minds of many so tennis bettors cannot expect better odds than those available. Serena hasn’t dropped a set all tournament and prior to her encounter with Stosur had not dropped more than a couple of games a set. Simply put she has looked too good to beat.

Azarenka is a tempting underdog at +300 to win outright. She certainly has skills and firepower to match Serena but she falls short on mental strength. She all too often gets in her own way and unravels something awful. Bettors could do worse than bet on Azarenka for the upset but methinks the outcome will fall in line with the market.

Tennis Free Picks: Serena to win is the smart play but the value bets are on how well Serena and Azarenka will perform.

Some choice options are as follows: Serena to win under 20 ½ -130 is the favoured outcome but I think the Over 20 ½ -110 is the better play. Azarenka can make this a competitive affair.

Serena to cover the spread at -4 ½ -125 is the favoured outcome and I have to say I like this option best. Azarenka to cover the spread is trading at +4 ½ -115. For those betting on the upset, hedge your bets with this games handicap because if Azarenka is to beat Serena it will be a tight match.

Serena to take the first set is priced high at -300. So again, long shot punters looking to buck the trend might like Azarenka to win the first set at +200.

Match Set Line, Serena Williams to cover the spread at -1 ½ -130 is the favoured outcome but you will notice Azarenka to cover the spread is reasonably priced short at +1 ½ -110.

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