3 Australian Open talking points for women’s semi-final day
Published:
1) More history for Konta
That 1983 was the last really good year for British women’s tennis shows how low the standards have been.
Back then, Jo Durie reached two Grand Slam semi-finals, at the French and US Open, and nobody has managed to match it in 33 years since. Until now.
Johanna Konta’s ascent to the top of her sport has a feeling of certainty about it, whether she wins or loses her Australian Open semi against Angelique Kerber.
It just so happens, though, that the Sydney-born 24-year-old stands a good chance of making even more history by winning it, at a price of 12/5 with Ladbrokes.
Kerber hasn’t been this far in a Grand Slam since 2012 and has never experienced this late stage of the Australian Open. She also caused a shock in beating Victoria Azarenka last time out, a level of play which will be tough to replicate.
2) Fed-Djo 45 to swing the Swiss’ way
Roger Federer, he of 34-year-old legs, of 17 Grand Slam titles and supposed-inferior skills compared to the robotic Novak Djokovic, is still here, still playing superb tennis.
For the 45th time in their careers the pair will do battle. Fittingly, each own 22 wins but it is Federer that is taken to reach 23 first, at an outsiders’ price of 12/5.
Beyond one set against Grigor Dimitrov in the third round, the Swiss has made serene progress to this point. On the other hand, Djokovic needed the full complement of sets to beat Gilles Simon in the last 16, a game that was littered with Serbian errors.
3) Another Murray final
No not Andy, but his older brother Jamie, who takes on Adrian Mannarino and Lucas Pouille with his Brazilian partner Bruno Soares in the mens’ doubles semi.
Murray reached the final of two Grand Slams last year, albeit with a different partner, and collected runners-up honours on both occasions.
Alongside Soares, a two-time US Open mixed-doubles winner, the Scot can continue his streak of Grand Slam final appearances, at odds of 2/7 over the unseeded French duo.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter?Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.
