Gutsy Safina takes on Liscicki for a spot in the semis

London, England – World No.1 Dinara Safina is a player that has coasted under the radar at Wimbledon. After the Williams sisters Viktoria Azarenka is the third favourite for the title, ahead of Safina. The bookie’s cast is somewhat surprising given that Azarenka has never reached a Grand Slam final. Safina has, albeit she failed three times. Therein lies the rub. Or part of it.

Safina’s dislike for grass is well known, evinced by her results on the surface, and it most likely had a hand on the market on the women’s field . Yet Safina has looked good through the early rounds and she reaches the second week of action at the All England Club. She played a gutsy R16 match against former Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo today to reach her first-ever quarterfinal.

Tennis Betting Line: Dinara Safina -300 Sabine Lisicki +200

Match Time: 06:00 A.M. Eastern Time Tuesday June 30 2009

Dinara Safina -300: Top seed Dinara Safina enters this matchup as the firm favourite, listed at BetOnline Sportsbook at -300. She is 37-8 on the season with two WTA singles titles – Rome and Madrid. Her highlights this season include runner-up finishes at the Aussie Open, French Open, Sydney and Stuttgart. In her Wimbledon warm up event at s’Hertogenbosch, she reached the semis (l. to Tamarine Tanasugarin).

In seven prior visits to Wimbledon, Safina’s best result was a R32 in 2006 and 2008. Last year, she played a three-set thriller, losing to Shahar Peer 7-5, 6-7(4), 8-6. In reaching the quarterfinals, Safina is enjoying her best outing here. She is on the verge of a spot in the semis but Frenchwoman Sabine Lisicki stands in her way.

Sabine Lisicki +200: French teenager Sabine Lisicki is a fast-rising tennis sensation and a player tennis bettors should spot. The No.41 ranked Lisicki is 17-10 on the season with one title – Charleston. Her highlights include a semi-final in Memphis and quarterfinal in Estoril. In her warm-up event in Eastbourne, she fell at the first hurdle, losing to Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-1.

Tennis Betting Verdict: Dinara Safina is the firm favourite and worth the bet. She has experience at this level and it should take her to her first-ever semis at the All England Club. Lisicki will be a tough opponent though and I don’t expect her to fold easily. She topped tournament favourite Caroline Wozniacki in the R16 today, beating the Dane 6-4, 6-4 to hand the tournament one of the biggest upsets in the second week. Dinara would do well not to underestimate the French teen. Expect a close three-setter with Safina persevering.

Tennis Free Picks: Safina in three sets