Sharapova should be petrified of plucky German Petkovic
Published:It may not be the Venus Williams vs Maria Sharapova match-up that everyone was expecting, but Andrea Petkovic’s appearance in the fourth round of the Australian Open offers punters plenty of value.
Petkovic is fresh following her match with Williams that lasted just one game, and Sharapova, who had to fight hard against Julia Georges, faces a tough tie on Saturday morning.
Sharapova is 17 places higher in the world rankings and holds a 1-0 head-to-head record over the German, which is why she is the 8/15 favourite to beat Petkovic.
Petkovic is available at 11/8 to beat Sharapova and the German’s freshness may play a huge part in a match that is expected to go the distance.
It’s tough to pick a winner but both players offer plenty of value in the set betting with Sharapova 3/1 to beat Petkovic 2-1, and Petkovic 10/3 to win 2-1.
Na Li vs Victoria Azarenka
Ninth seed plays eight seed on Rod Laver arena and the betting market confirms that this is a tough match to call with both players available at 5/6 to win.
Both players have cruised through their opening rounds and are in fine form, but Li’s 2-1 head-to-head advantage gives her the mental edge and she is 11/4 to beat Azarenka 2-1.
Two of the three head-to-heads between the two have gone the distance and so will this one.
Caroline Wozniacki vs Anastasija Sevastova
Sevastova is an unknown opponent to the world number one, but Wozniacki should have no problem dispatching of Sevastova and her Australian Open betting odds of 1/8 reflect this.
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Francesca Schiavone
Following her victory over Justine Henin, Kuznetsova has been slashed into 12/1 to win the Australian Open, and her 7-3 head-to-head record over Italy’s Schiavone would suggest she has no problems winning this one at 4/11 and is 1/1 to win 2-0.
A £25 double on Petkovic and Li winning would return £108.75. New customers can sign up here for a free £25 bet.
