WTA Australian Open: Sharapova v Makarova Odds and Betting Preview

Story by Jack Howard on 2012-01-24 14:00:02

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Former Champion Maria Sharapova faces fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open early on Wednesday morning. Sharapova starts as strong favourite to progress to the next stage of the tournament, and can currently be backed to do so at a market best of 2/7 (bet £7 to make £2 profit) with Coral. For those punters anticipating an upset, however, Makarova is on offer at longer odds of 2/7 with Coral.

Maria Sharapova has been one of the most recognisable players in world tennis ever since she became the third youngest female player ever to win Wimbledon, which she did in 2004 aged only 17. Sharapova has since lifted the trophies of both the US Open and the Australian Open, leaving only the Roland Garros title necessary to secure a career grand slam. The Russian star secured her place in the quarterfinals of this years competition with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory over German opponent Sabine Lisicki. Sharapova looked unsteady in the first set, but then produced the level of quality in the second and third sets for which she is famous.

Ekaterina Makarova is currently ranked 56th in the world, fifty two places between her opponent. Makarova will be heartened, however, by her emphatic 6-2, 6-3 victory over Serena Williams in the fourth round. Williams has collected a colossal thirteen Grand Slam wins in her illustrious career, including five titles on the hard courts in Melbourne, and Makarova’s victory therefore marks a hugely significant achievement. Whether she can reproduce the performance against Sharapova remains to be seen.

Sharapova is quoted at best odds of 8/11 with William Hill to win the match in straight sets, whilst those punters who think that the former champion will secure victory after dropping one set can back a 2-1 victory for Sharapova at 10/3 with William Hill. A 2-0 victory for Makarova, on the other hand, is on offer at odds of 15/2 with Stan James, whilst a 2-1 victory for the outsider is available at a market best of 7/1 with Paddy Power.

Sharapova is currently strong favourite to win the first set in this encounter, and can currently be backed to do so at 2/5 with William Hill. Makarova, on the other hand, is on offer to win the first set at 5/2 with Stan James.

In the overall tournament betting, Czech star Petra Kvitova is favourite to lift the trophy at the end of the week at best odds of 7/4 with Blue Square, whilst Victoria Azarenka is second favourite at 11/4 with Ladbrokes. Maria Sharapova can currently be backed to win the title at 5/1 with Stan James, whilst Makarova is on offer at considerably longer odds of 25/1 with Ladbrokes.

Play starts at 01.30 GMT

Sharapova v Makarova Match Odds

Sharapova v Makarova Set Odds

Sharapova v Makarova First Set Odds

Australian Open Tournament Odds