WTA – Australian Open
The first Grand Slam of the season is here, and sports betting fans have a lot to watch out for as the best female players of the game battle it out under the blistering temperature in Melbourne.
Sure enough, with the first match-ups already made, betting websites will be thrilled to see the top stars, but there are also some names flying under the radar that might just surprise live betting.
Of course, all eyes will still be on Women’s World no. 1 Angelique Kerber (3.50), who will be aiming to defend her maiden Australian Open title, and no. 2 Serena Williams (2.80) who will begin her revenge and quest for a record-breaking 23rd major title.
Both stars, however, will first look to shake off their rust from lack of matches, with Williams also needing to bounce back from an injury-marred season that saw her drop from the summit.
On the other hand, Agnieszka Radwanska (21.00), Simona Halep (8.00) and Karolina Pliskova (8.00) will set their sights on crashing the party of the top two. They have been playing fantastic tennis so far – especially Pliskova who recently won the WTA title in Brisbane – and their form suggests that they can make a deep run in the contest. Though, they will all be tested early as their first round matches can prove to be tricky.
BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore champion Dominika Cibulkova (21.00) and French Open titlist Garbiñe Muguruza (9.00) cannot be counted out as well, but the latter is facing a fitness test following a thigh injury which makes her questionable in the tournament.
Last year’s semifinalist Johanna Konta (16.00), meanwhile, will be expected to continue her fabulous start to 2017. Fresh from winning the Apia International in Sydney, she is all geared to step up and break into the finals.
Russian star Svetlana Kuznetsova (51.00) and Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina (29.00) as well as Olympic champion Monica Puig (71.00) and former world no. 1 Caroline Wozniacki (26.00) are also some players projected to make huge waves in the competition. Venus Williams (61.00) could also join the group, though her right arm injury isn’t encouraging.
Moreover, other names that could make a mark in the tournament are teenage stars Belinda Bencic (41.00) and Naomi Osaka (61.00). Although both unseeded, their talent couldn’t be ignored. Bencic defeated Serena at the Rogers Cup in 2015, and she has been the standard bearer of teenage talent in Women’s tennis since then.
Osaka, meanwhile, has been a highly-touted prospect, and Serena has even called her a “really aggressive” and “very dangerous player.”
Indeed, with these lineup of players from established stars and rising ones, the Australian Open is the perfect event to start the tennis season.
For the latest sports update, promotions and betting picks with SBOBET get social with our official Twitter, Google+, YouTube and Facebook accounts. Visit SBOBET and join us now. Start placing your bets today!
Click for more tennis betting options.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
