WTA Australian Open Semi-Final: Clijsters v Azarenka Odds and Betting Preview

Story by Jack Howard on 2012-01-25 14:00:02

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Reigning Champion Kim Clijsters faces Victoria Azarenka in their eagerly anticipated Australian Open semi-final early on Thursday morning. The 22 year old Azarenka starts the game – which is being billed as a closely fought encounter by bookmakers and journalists alike – as marginal favourite, and can currently be backed to win at best odds of 5/6 (bet £6 to make £5 profit) with Boylesports. For those punters expecting a victory for Clijsters, however, the Belgian Champion is on offer at a slightly longer 21/20 with bet365.

Clijsters overpowered World Number 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals, winning the match 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). As a result, Wozniacki is set to loose her number one ranking at the end of the tournament after a 67-week run at the top. Clijsters powered her way past Wozniacki with her characteristically forceful baseline strokes, and will be hoping to produce a similarly emphatic display against Azarenka in her upcoming game.

Azarenka lost the first set of her quarterfinal on a tie break, but then responded perfectly to the setback by winning the next seven games on the trot against world number 6 Agnieszka Radwanska. Azarenka will replace Wozniacki at the top of the world rankings if she wins the Australian Open.

In the set betting Azarenka is quoted at best odds of 2/1 with Ladbrokes to win the match in straight sets, whilst a more narrow 2-1 victory for the Belarusian is on offer at a market best of 10/3 with both Blue Square and Boylesports. For those punters expecting Clijsters to progress to the final in straight sets, however, a 2-0 victory for the reigning champion is on offer at 5/2 with William Hill. A 2-1 victory for Clijsters is available at 7/2 with Paddy Power.

The first set will be vitally important in this match, setting the tone for the encounter, and both players will doubtless come out onto the hard courts of Melbourne all guns blazing. Azarenka is currently the slight favourite to take a one set lead in this match, and can be backed to do so at 5/6 with Boylesports. Clijsters is on offer to win the first set at marginally longer odds of evens with Paddy Power.

In the overall title betting World Number 2 Petra Kvitova is favourite to lift the trophy at the end of the week at 7/4 with Coral, whilst Azarenka is second favourite at odds of 3/1 with Ladbrokes. Clijsters can be backed to win her second consecutive Australian Open at 7/2 with Paddy Power, whilst the remaining quarter finalist, Maria Sharapova, is available at 4/1 with the same bookmakers.

Play starts at 02.30 GMT

Clijsters v Azarenka Match Odds

Clijsters v Azarenka Set Betting

Clijsters v Azarenka First Set Winner Odds

Australian Open Title Odds