serena williams

The expect final showdown in the women’s draw for the French Open title seeing Maria Sharapova v Serena Williams betting lined up. The final will be played on Saturday, June 8th between the two powerhouses in the game at the moment. Both players will be looking for their second French Open titles of their career. It is American Williams who is going to be heading the field as favourite, given her strong form at Roland Garros and on top of that, a tremendous head to head record against the Russian.

2013 French Open Women’s Final Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet Victor
Serena Williams 1/5, Maria Sharapova 4/1

Williams powered her way to the final after overcoming clay expert Sara Errani in their semi final matchup, Williams powering to a 6-0 6-1 victory. It was almost a perfect display from Williams and she will make a formidable final opponent for Sharapova. Williams is back in the final at Roland Garros for the first time since winning the event for the only time in 2002. Given her incredible form this season, dominating pretty much all before her, she started the second Grand Slam of the year as overwhelming favourite and it is no surprise that she is in the final.

But Sharapova’s progress to the final needed a much bigger effort from the Russian. She went up against Victoria Azarenka and after Sharapova had cruised to an opening set win, the Belarusian hit back and things looked even at the start of the third set, with both players breaking. Sharapova couldn’t quite get her first serve going and served up 11 double faults in the match, something which will be punished against Williams if the count is that high. There were big momentum shifts both ways in the Williams v Azarenka semi final, but the Russian just had enough to squeak over the line. It was an unpredictable performance from Sharapova, but even all the faults and misplaced shots couldn’t stop the defending champion getting back to the final.

For your Maria Sharapova v Serena Williams betting, the head to head is all in favour of the AMerican. Williams leads 13-2. Even more worryingly for Sharapova, is that she has lost the last twelve matches in a row against Williams, already suffering two final defeats this season in Miami and Madrid, the latter on clay. These are the best two clay court players around at the moment, and even though Sharapova has a higher win percentage on the dirt, Williams is the strong favourite for French Open tennis final betting.

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There is a very strong case for backing Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal in a win double ahead of the start of the French Open. Ladbrokes have Williams at 5/4 for the women’s singles and Nadal is a best 8/11 with the same firm which equates to odds for the double of just over 11/4 (47/18 on betfair).

There really doesn’t look much opposition to Nadal, who has looked better than ever since returning from a lengthy injury lay-off. There were fears that the Spaniard’s career may have been over but he’s proved everyone wrong this year, winning six of the eight tournaments he’s contested since February. He simply blew away arch-nemesis Roger Federer to win his seventh Italian Open title last week and Roland Garros is a second home to the 26-year-old. His victory in the final in Rome was reminiscent of the way in which he destroyed Federer (20/1 this year with sportingbet) in the French Open final in 2008 and he’s now won 11 of 13 meetings between the pair on clay. With Andy Murray‘s withdrawal confirmed, it now seems likely that Nadal and Federer will be seeded to clash again in the semi-finals in Paris and, on current form, there could only be one outcome. Such is Nadal’s dominance on clay that world number one Novak Djokovic can be backed at 2/1 with sportingbet. To be honest, he’s not playing that well and you could easily envisage David Ferrer giving him a hard time at Roland Garros should they meet in the last four. The world number five was the only one to make Nadal work hard in Rome and he’s 40/1 with sportingbet to cause an upset.

Serena Williams is a best 11/8 with Paddy Power to win the women’s singles as she chases a first French Open title since 2002. The women’s competition has thrown up the odd surprise since the turn of the century but the American could hardly be in better form having won her last four tournaments in Miami, South Carolina, Madrid and Rome. She’s a lot more comfortable on clay nowadays and only dropped 14 games in winning last week’s Italian Open. Four of those were in the final against Victoria Azarenka, who is third favourite for Paris (7/1 with BetVictor, Stan James and Coral). But the Australian Open champion has never even reached the final at Roland Garros. Defending champion Maria Sharapova is 5/1 with Betfred, sportingbet and Stan James but was thrashed by Williams in the final in Madrid and was overtaken by a sickness bug in Rome. If Williams were to be vulnerable in Paris, it would be in the first week as she occasionally takes a while to go through the gears in Grand Slams but she will take some stopping if getting into her stride. Former French Open winners Ana Ivanovic and Na Li are 66/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports and William Hill) and 12/1 (sportingbet) respectively this time around.

2013 French Open Tennis Betting Info
The second Grand Slam of the tennis calendar hits the courts of Roland Garros at the end of May. Two weeks of high quality action will be played at the event, and Maria Sharapova will be back to defend the title she won after such a strong clay court swing of the season during 2012. That competed a Grand Slam set for her, but the power of Serena Williams will be the force that everyone will likely have to try and stop. But even Williams has only won the unpredictable Grand Slam title in Paris once before.

Latest 2013 French Open Tennis Betting Prices at online bookmaker BetFred
Serena Williams Evens, Maria Sharapova 5/1, Victoria Azarenka 7/1, Li Na 10/1, Petra Kvitova 14/1, Sara Errani 20/1, Sam Stosur 20/1, Agnieszka Radwanska 25/1, Angelique Kerber 33/1

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2013 French Open Tennis Betting Favourite
Serena Williams goes as strong favourite to win the French Open this year, for what would be the second time in her career. She has pretty much beaten all around her this season already and that puts the world number one at the head of the field. Things are really looking up for her and she won at Roland Garros for the first time in 2002 after winning in Rome for the first time. She repeated her Rome success last week and continued her great form this season. In defeating Victoria Azarenka in the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Williams claimed the 8th clay court title of her career, moving her up to third in the list of active players with the most WTA titles on the dirt.

Just to add further supremacy to Serena Williams French Open betting odds, she has never been on a hotter run of form heading to Roland Garros. She is currently on a 24 match winning streak and for the season, holds a 36-2 match record (which is a high 94.7% success rate – her highest ever at this stage of the season). She has gotten her hands on five titles already this season, beating Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka respectively in the recent Madrid and Rome finals. That has to put her in good stead for a challenge here. Missed an opportunity at the Australian Open earlier in the year, but has been bombing along nicely, dropping just two sets in her last three tournaments. So there could be value with the BetFred promotion above, she took the Rome title without dropping a set.

Serena Williams is priced at Evens at online bookmaker BetFred in 2013 French Open Tennis betting.

Other Contenders
There is more uncertainty about the French Open than any of the Grand Slams, so there is always value in looking outside of the favourite. True, Williams looks all powerful, but slip ups happen. Maria Sharapova, one of the greatest clay court players around at the moment, should be in line to challenge. Seeing the Russian fail to hit the semi finals would be a huge surprise. The problem for her is going up against Serena Williams. Sharapova has just a 13-2 head to head record against the American and she is on a twelve match losing streak against her. She has already suffered at the hands of Williams in two finals this year as well, and as fantastic as Sharapova’s aggression and defence is, she can’t seem to find a way to crack Williams. A good shot nonetheless as she is classy on the dirt.

Where Maria Sharapova has failed this season, Victoria Azarenka has prevailed. The Belarusian managed to beat Serena Williams in the final of Doha earlier in the season after successfully defending her title at the Australian Open. The former world number one has had niggling injuries this season which has hampered her a bit, but there was a good work out for her on the clay of Rome where she went to the finals, beating clay specialists Sam Stosur and Sara Errani along the way. Couldn’t handle Serena Williams in the final though. Azarenka has a 12-2 head to head record against Williams and hasn’t been past the quarter finals at Roland Garros before. The problems against Williams are reflected in Victoria Azarenka French Open betting odds.

There’s a lot more value around in the women’s draw because of even talent if Williams takes a fall, and she has been vulnerable at the French Open before. You have former Roland Garros champion Li Na who is great on clay and enjoying a good season, along with Sara Errani who is never far away from the business end of things when it comes to clay court tournaments. There are power threats from Petra Kvitova, Agnieszka Radwanska and Angelique Kerber as well, but those are searching for top form and really haven’t delivered on clay. Out of them, Germany’s Kerber is perhaps the biggest threat and was just starting to find her feet after a relatively slow start to the season by her standards. But still, these are only genuine back up options behind the powerhouse trio of Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka in 2013 French Open tennis betting.

Britain’s Andy Murray has said he will make a decision in a few days’ time over his participation in the French Open after suffering a recurrence of an ongoing back problem in the ATP 100 tournament in Rome.

World number two Murray has been pushed out to a general 25/1 to win the second Grand Slam of the season at Roland Garros having been forced to retire during his second-round clash with Marcel Granollers in the Rome Masters. Murray revealed afterwards that he had been struggling during the recent Madrid Open and may have come to the conclusion that it would be best to rest during the remainder of the clay court season with more realistic targets on grass and hardcourt coming up in June and July.

Clay is Murray’s least favourite surface and this is the second year running that he’s suffered a back injury while playing on it. The Scot has never really threatened to win the French Open so far though, then again, few have since Rafael Nadal began his domination of the tournament. The Spaniard remains a hot favourite (10/11 with most layers) to come out on top again in Paris but home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is out to 100/1 with Boylesports and sportingbet after suffering a surprise defeat against Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz in Rome.

The British challenge in Paris may be weakened further as Heather Watson is also a doubt for the women’s singles having missed her preparation in Strasbourg this week. The 20-year-old hasn’t played competitively since suffering from a bout of glandular fever in March. She is 500/1 with Ladbrokes to win in Paris, which is more than twice the odds of compatriot Laura Robson (200/1 with Boylesports and Ladbrokes). The youngster beat Venus Williams in Rome earlier this week but found sister Serena made of sterner stuff, losing in straight sets to the world number one who is on a hot streak on the run-up to the French Open. Serena is 5/2 with Betfred and betway to win in Paris but Caroline Wozniacki‘s poor form on clay shows no sign of coming to end and the former world number one lost in the first round for the third tournament running in Rome and can now be backed at 113/1 on betfair to win in Paris.

WTA Rome Betting Info
Pretty much the same field, or at least the bulk of the top stars out to contest a top tier event on clay. It was the same story in Madrid last week, when Serena Williams powered her way to her 50th tour title. The French Open Grand Slam is getting ever closer and players need to step up their games on the dirt.

Latest WTA Rome Betting Prices at online bookmaker Unibet
Serena Williams 6/4, Maria Sharapova 3/1, Victoria Azarenka 6/1, Li Na 8/1, Sara Errani 20/1, Agnieszka Radwanska 25/1, Ana Ivanovic 25/1, Petra Kvitova 33/1

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WTA Rome Betting Favourite
Just as it was last week and will be for the foreseeable future, Serena Williams goes as outright favourite to win this week. She is trading in at 6/4 with Unibet and that is on the back of her taking a title in Madrid on the weekend against Maria Sharapova. The fact that Williams beat Sharapova again, extending a massive head to head lead over the Russian speaks volumes. Sharapova is arguably the best clay court player around, and in top form and yet still she was powered past by Williams. So that lines Williams up well for more glory after claiming her 50th tour title. The draw ahead of her this week looks easier than last week as well, while Sharapova is in the crowded half of the draw. Should be somewhat routine for Williams on the way to the final with only fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who isn’t in any kind of form.

Other Contenders
You have to plant Maria Sharapova in here anyway. The Russian looked good again on clay last week until she ran into the immovable force that is Serena Williams in the final. Sharapova will really be tested in Rome as it is a tougher draw for her. She has the big threat of Sara Errani in the quarter finals, one of the great clay experts who went to the semi finals last week in Madrid. On top of that, Victoria Azarenka, Sam Stosur and Petra Kvitova are potential semi final opponents for Sharapova as well, before any thought of a rematch against Williams. That has to put Sharapova back as second favourite for this week’s action. Sharapova has taken the Rome title in the last two seasons.

Sara Errani could have the opportunity to pounce and potentially make another good run to the semi finals. She is fantastic on clay and was only stopped in Madrid by, you guessed it, Serena Williams at the semi final stage. She is dogged enough to scrap things out with Sharapova in what could be a very interesting quarter final match. Would take the Italian above any of the potential semi finalists mentioned above, being that this is on clay. Great player and worth tracking and perhaps backing as the not too distant underdog.

Victoria Azarenka didn’t make a huge impact after a break from the game because of niggling injuries. She crashed early in Madrid last week against Ekaterina Makarova. Just needs to get games under her belt and she is still one of the best players on the WTA tour at the moment. Always going to be a danger in the field, without question. Going to be value as well after her early crash in Madrid last week.

Other potential runners in the field should be Na Li and Sam Stosur. Both come alive when they come on to the clay surface and China’s Na Li could be the stronger one to back. She is in a comfortable quarter of the draw, although she would meet Williams in the semi final .There is a good draw set up in front of Na to bounce back from disappointment in her last outing. She is good on clay and has generally in a good bit of shape this term.

Best Outside Bet
The other decent alternative is Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska. She hasn’t been at her best for a few tournaments now, but still one of the classiest players on the tour. She should have the game which gets translated onto clay well, variety and control in her shots. Just searching for form and a good quarter ahead of her could see her come back to life. Radwanska is trading at a price of 25/1 at online bookmaker Unibet.

WTA Mutua Madrid Open Betting Info
Gone is the controversial blue clay that was implemented last season, upon which no-one could gain their footing, and the Spanish tournament has reverted to its traditional, and highly praised red dirt. This is a Premier Mandatory tournament on the women’s calendar, meaning that all the big guns are out in this one. The tournament has a short history for the WTA, only getting started in 2009.

WTA Mutua Madrid Open Betting Favourite
Topping the field this week in Spain will be Serena Williams. The American powerhouse has a couple of things in her favour. Not only does she have the power in her game to deliver, she also transitions well to clay. That is not something that a lot of the top players can do. Williams is the defending champion here as well, beating Victoria Azarenka in the final. Williams has the second highest win percentage on clay of all active players on the WTA Tour. She has three titles already this season and hasn’t contested since Charleston at the beginning of April on clay (not counting the Fed Cup). So well rested, history and form. Naturally favourite at a price of 2/1 at online bookmaker Bet365.

Latest WTA Mutua Madrid Open Betting Prices at online bookmaker Bet365
Serena Williams 2/1, Maria Sharapova 3/1, Victoria Azarenka 4/1, Agnieszka Radwanska 16/1, Petra Kvitova 14/1, Angelique Kerber 22/1, Sam Stosur 22/1, Sara Errani 25/1

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Other Contenders
The numbers are all on the side of Russia’s Maria Sharapova on clay. She was dominant on the dirt last season, as she went on to claim the French Open title for the first time in her career. Sharapova has the highest win percentage of all active players on the WTA Tour and that has to count for a lot. The only time she lost on clay last season was against Serena Williams in the quarter finals here. But she delivered with a bang for the first time on clay this season, winning in Stuttgart, beating Angelique Kerber and Na Li along the way. So a big performance from Sharapova, who can battle it out better than anyone from the baseline. Should be strong and avoids Williams until the final this time around.

Hard to decipher Victoria Azarenka in this one. Clay isn’t her strongest surface, but she did go to the final last year in Madrid. She hasn’t been out in action since pulling out of Indian Wells back at the start of March. That was after two successive titles for the Belarusian, including what was perhaps a momentum shifting win over Serena Williams in the final of Doha. Along with Sharapova and Williams, if Azarenka is fit and on top of her game then she should be in the semi final mix. Could clash in the semi finals against Williams.

Germany’s Angelique Kerber, could be worth a little bit of value in this one. She went to the semi finals of Stuttgart and lost against Maria Sharapova there, but put up a superb battle. She just looks to be getting back to her very best form, as that run came on the back of a run to the final in Monterrey. Those could well be confidence-boosting performances from Kerber, who has the natural ability and game to beat Williams, Sharapova and Azarenka. It has been a somewhat slow start to the season from Kerber, but just trending upwards and is an awkward left hander to play against.

Picking out clay court winners is a little tougher than any other surface, because specialists show up. You can take names like Sara Errani, Sam Stosur, Petra Kvitova, Dominika Cibulkova and Na Li and pay more attention to them perhaps than you would at any other time of the season. A good bunch of value players to look at and track through the tournament. Cibulkova is a powerhouse and agile enough to translate on clay, while Petra Kvitova is a dark horse, having been to the final of two tournaments this season (winning one and losing one).

Best Outside Bet
Italian Sara Errani has been supremely busy this season and is one of the best players on clay. However, she crashed in her first match at Stuttgart in a huge shock. That means she is rested but could be value here. She goes in Azarenka’s quarter and not being sure which Vika turns up, Errani could produce a deep run. Errani is prcied at 25/1 at online bookmaker Bet365.

WTA Family Circle Cup Tennis Betting Info
Another Premier Tier event is on the cards for your tennis betting this week, as we head to Charleston. Even though it is a Premier Tier event, there is not as competitive of a field out in attendance as there was at the recent Indian Wells and Miami events. Still, there is the star attraction of Serena Williams in the field though who is coming off the back of a stellar time in Florida.

Latest WTA Family Circle Cup Tennis Betting Prices at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Serena Williams 4/9, Caroline Wozniacki 13/2, Sam Stosur 16/1, Venus Williams 18/1, Mona Barthel 20/1, Sloane Stephens 29/1, Carla Suarez Navarro 33/1

WTA Family Circle Cup Tennis Betting Favourite
If there was more of the top ten in attendance then Serena Williams would be favourite. She looked down and out in the final of Miami on the weekend against Maria Sharapova, only to exact a tremendous comeback and take her sixth title there. This is a return to top form and no questions about her fitness, something which has prevented more titles coming her way this season. She is the defending champion at the event as well, taking a win against Lucie Safarova in last season’s final. She was in devastating form at the back end of last season’s Family Circle cup, destroying Sam Stosur 6-1 6-1 in the semi’s and then Sarafova 6-0 6-1 in the final. Hard to pick anyone besides her at 4/9 with online bookmaker Ladbrokes.

Other Contenders
You are going to be pretty much limited to picking the rest of the options from the opposite half of the draw from Williams. That makes the most sense and fortunately, for points of interest, the main challengers are all over the other half. You can start with Australia’s former US Open champion Sam Stosur. She is good on clay and is a previous winner of the Family Circle Cup as well. What lets her down is her consistency though, but she is one of three top ten players in the field. Just occasionally she pulls everything together to have a good run at a tournament. She is due one. She lost in the quarter finals of Indian Wells in her last outing before withdrawing through injury.

But young Mona Barthel is going to be a threat in the field. She is in the same quarter as Stosur, who beat her in the round of sixteen at Indian Wells. She’s going to be rested after losing her second round match in Miami last week. Not as strong on clay as she is on hard court, but still a decent shot to be hovering around the quarter finals. Still, for Barthel to win, someone would need to stop Williams from meeting her in the final.

Former World Number One Caroline Wozniacki went to the third round of Miami last week. That was on the back of an appearance in the final of Indian Wells. That was her first Premier Tier final for a couple of years and she was subsequently brushed aside in straight sets by Maria Sharapova. Like the rest of the competitors in the field, the Dane is still lagging far behind any power that Williams could well be laying down. Probably the most likely final opponent though out of the rest of the challengers from the other side of the draw. Wozniacki won the 2011 Family Circle Cup, in what was an easy run to the final for her.

Best Outside Bet
Tough to pick an outside bet, as anyone beyond Williams is an outside shot in this type of field. It would have to be last year’s losing finalist Lucie Safarova though. Would meet Williams in the quarter finals of this year’s event and the only thing to think is that she could be the one to capitalise on any tiredness from Williams after a hot Miami week.

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WTA Sony Open Tennis Betting Info
The action in Miami is one of the biggest events on the calendar outside of the Grand Slams. There is Grand Slam quality field in attendance though for the Premier Mandatory event. Serena Williams is back in action this week after her boycott of Indian Wells over the past fortnight. That will mean that she is fresh and ready to go this week and she will start the event as favourite. But all the other big guns like Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova will be waiting to shut her down.

Latest WTA Sony Open Tennis betting odds at online bookmaker Unibet
Serena Williams 5/4, Maria Sharapova 3/1, Victoria Azarenka 7/2, Petra Kvitova 16/1, Agnieszka Radwanska 16/1, Li Na 20/1, Angelique Kerber 25/1, Caroline Wozniacki

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WTA Sony Open Tennis Betting Favourite
This is Serena Williams all the way here. As powerful as she has been in the women’s game, this is one tournament where she has really been excellent. It is one of her most successful tournaments and that is the last thing that the others in the field need to heard. She has won the even five times before but hasn’t tasted Miami glory since back in 2008. This is the first outing for Williams since reclaiming her place as world number one in the rankings on February 18th. She hasn’t had things all her way this season though, because of injury largely, losing in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and then to Victoria Azarenka in the final of Doha. But this is Florida, her home turf and would expect to see her powering her way to the semi finals at the very least.

Other Contenders
Russian tennis queen Maria Sharapova will take some extra backing this week as she stormed to the Indian Wells title on the weekend. In the California final she powered her way past Caroline Wozniacki, her low, powerful hitting totally destroying the Dane. That was a title that Sharapova really needed as she has been guilty of bottling it at the business end of tournaments when it matters most. That could just the confidence boost that she needs, and she moved up to world number two as well with the win. Something to put into context though is that she didn’t really meet any tough opponent along the way, although she still didn’t drop a set on her way to the title. She didn’t face anyone inside the top seven in the world to claim the Indian Wells title. It’ll be a bigger ask this week.

So onto Victoria Azarenka, who has been having a fine season, defending her titles in Doha and at the Australian Open. She looked well on track for a title run in Indian Wells before she had to pull out of her quarter final match against Caroline Wozniacki with an ankle problem. It was a problem that had been niggling her even before the tournament had started and she decided that she didn’t want to risk it any further. The problem is tendinitis and inflammation, but the Belarusian has decided to head to Florida next week anyway. It does raise questions about her fitness and ability to go all the way though. It’s understandable that she’s being stubborn after winning twice before here. Despite two tournament withdraws because of injury, Azarenka has posted a 17-0 match record for the season.

There was a return to form for Germany’s Angelique Kerber last week at Indian Wells who made a run to the semi final. That is the best we have seen of the promising starlet and hopefully she can build upon that. She really should have gone better, being a set and a break up against Wozniacki in the semi final, but then Wozniacki started playing some incredibly unplayable stuff. Bit of a fluke result, but at least there was promising signs that Kerber is back to her best. It will be a bit of momentum with her. Another dangerous floater in the draw is former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who also blew a set lead at Indian Wells. That was in the quarter finals against Maria Kirilenko. But Kvitova, who win in Dubai in mid February should still be a threat.

It will also be interesting to see how Caroline Wozniacki reacts to getting to her first Premier Mandatory final for a couple of years. She was totally blown out of the water there by Sharapova, and there may be some work and way for the former world number one to go yet before backing her with any confidence of taking a big title like this. Italian Sara Errani continues her good form, going as number eight seed for the Sony Open. She took a quarter final place at Indian Wells last week before crashing into the brick wall defence of Maria Sharapova. The diminutive Italian is well on top of her game though.

Best Outside Bet
Seems a little strange to be calling Agnieszka Radwanska an outside bet, but she should be. She has gone off the boil after a blistering start to the new season. What may make her value though is that she recorded the biggest title of her WTA here at last season’s event. The conditions should suit and her and because of her dip in form will fly under the radar. With only Kvitova being a likely quarter final opponent, there’s a big chance for her to bounce back.

WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Betting Info
After a superb tournament in Doha, in which Serena Williams reclaimed the number one spot in the world, but then lost out in the final against a very strong Victoria Azarenka, the two head back into action again this week in the United Arab Emirates. This is another top Premier Tier event and with a deep field and more bragging rights are up for grabs. The top four in the women’s game made it to the semi finals last week, however, Maria Sharapova is missing this week.

WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Betting Favourite
Serena Williams at a price of 6/4 with online bookmaker Bet365 goes as favourite again. She was full of confidence after getting back to world number one, but found a highly impressive Victoria Azarenka in her way of the Doha title. That broke a streak of nine consecutive wins by Williams over the Belarusian, the player she knocked off the top of the world rankings, so the American should still be in ascendancy. It wasn’t the start to 2013 that Williams will have wanted, missing out at the Australian Open, seeing Azarenka win that, and then losing to Vika at Qatar. However, she will keep plugging away and her immense power should keep her close to titles at the moment. She looked a bit unsettled in the final of Qatar, but after powering her way there past Maria Sharapova, not someone you are going to write off. Just looked as if she was struggling with her back injury halfway through the final of Doha on the weekend.

WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Serena William 6/4, Victoria Azarenka 2/1, Agnieszka Radwanska 10/1, Angelique Kerber 11/1, Sloane Stephens 12/1, Petra Kvitova 16/1, Sara Errani 25/1, Ana Ivanovic 33/1, Caroline Wozniacki 33/1, Marion Bartoli 33/1

Other Contenders
Victoria Azarenka will be taking a lot of backing this week in tennis betting after getting her first win in ten attempts against Williams. That will have been an important confidence boost for the season, because Serena has been a big stumbling block for the Belarusian. Azarenka was due to play here last season, but missed out because of an ankle injury. Still, that is back to back titles now for Azarenka already this season and the win in Doha on the weekend was a title defence for her. She is serving very well at the moment and turned all aggressive when she saw the first set against Williams slipping away in a tie-break in the final. Impressive win for Azarenka and fully deserved. Great consistency and should be around the final four mark again this week.

World number three Agnieszka Radwanska is the defending champion in Dubai, taking full advantage of neither Williams nor Azarenka being at the event twelve months ago. The young Pole was back to her very best last week, making a good run to the semi finals, where she was stopped in her tracks by Azarenka, who she really has a hard time getting the better of. She would avoid Vika until the final in Dubai, but equally as problematic is that she would run into Serena Williams at the semi final stage. Superb player but very tough to see her overpowering both Williams and Azarenka in the same tournament. Every chance at a final four spot though.

We are really waiting for the Angelique Kerber show to get going in 2013. She was so impressive in 2012 and has a lot of expectation on her shoulders. Lots out against young German Mona Barthel last week in the second round of Qatar. Just struggling to find her top gear but will benefit by being more rested than any of the other big guns in the Dubai field. If she can find her rhythm then she will be the biggest challenger in the top half to Victoria Azarenka. Would really expect Kerber to win her quarter of the draw, it’s the second easiest one behind the one that Serena Williams is in.

There are other interesting marks in the field, particular Petra Kvitova, Marion Bartoli and diminutive Italian Sara Errani who picked up the doubles title last week along with compatriot Roberta Vinci and made the quarter finals of the singles.

Best Outside Bet
But heading the category as best outside shot will be Caroline Wozniacki. She was a losing semi finalist here last year, missing out of Julia Goerges. The Dane is in the same quarter as Serena Williams, which will likely put her out of the picture and that’s why she is 33/1 at online bookmaker Bet365. However, she bounced along to the quarter final in Doha last week before losing to Radwanska. Outside shot, but a chance of sneaking in if Williams does have a back issue.

Enjoy some free live tennis streams from online bookmaker Bet365 alongside your betting this week. The bookie is delivering top quality action from the Premier Level event in the UAE this week, a good way to experience and enhance your live in-running tennis betting. Online betting site Bet365 offer up to a free £200 bet as a welcome bonus for new customers, as they will match the value of your first stake on a new account.

WTA Qatar Total Open Tennis Betting Info
A highly quality field is out this week in Doha for this WTA Premier level event. It is outdoors on the hard court and all of the top ten are out in attendance in a big field. For most of the big guns this is the first outings since the heat of the Australian Open, which was won by Victoria Azarenka. The world number one is also the title holder of the Qatar Open and will be wanting to keep her strong start to 2013 going. Will Serena Williams be fully fit and ready to challenge?

Latest WTA Qatar Total Open Tennis Betting Prices at online betting site Betfair
Serena Williams 2.48, Victoria Azarenka 3.8, Maria Sharapova 7.2, Agnieszka Radwanska 12, Angelique Kerber 27, Caroline Wozniacki 32, Petra Kvitova 42

WTA Qatar Total Open Tennis Betting Favourite at online betting site Betfair
It is Serena Williams who goes as favourite in Doha this week, despite her quarter final stumble against Sloane Stephens at Melbourne Park in the Australian Open. The American turned her ankle and hurt her back a bit in the match, swinging momentum to Stephens. So that ended the run of Williams and her quest to get all four Grand Slams this year. She hasn’t been out since then, resting up and getting fit again. She did win the title in Brisbane prior to the Australian Open, breezing her way to the title. She hasn’t played any of the other big guns yet this season, so hasn’t been tested hard. Still, will probably be her usual strong, powerhouse self here. Hasn’t landed this title yet, but is favourite to do so at 2.48 with Betfair this week. Has Petra Kvitova as a likely quarter final opponent, then possibly Maria Sharapova in the semis.

Other Contenders
Victoria Azarenka completed her title defence at the Australian Open without too many issues along the way. Yes, she may have been helped by not having to go up against either Maria Sharapova or Serena Williams there, but she still took her chances, beating Na Li in the final. She did turn out in Brisbane prior to the Australian Open but had to withdraw due to a bad toe when she was due to meet Serena Williams in the semi finals. We may see the first season’s clash between those two in the final here. Big field ahead and Azarenka is in the easier half of the draw to Williams. Vika really should be in the semi finals you would expect, with only the diminutive, but combative Sara Errani being a likely quarter final opponent.

Maria Sharapova will be hoping to bounce back from a really poor semi final appearance against Na Li at the Australian Open. Up until that point, Sharapova had simply been steaming, dropping only nine games on her way to the semis. But she just wasn’t at the races on the day, her timing and positioning all deserted her. She is far better than that performance and we’ll see her hungry here. In the same half of the draw as Williams and Sharapova is a potential semi finalist here. Some tricky opponents in her quarter, nothing she shouldn’t be able to handle if on top of her game. The fact that she has probably has to go through Serena Williams though will hamper her chances. Sharapova won here in 2008.

Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska was in fine fettle ahead of the Australian Open, winning back to back titles in Auckland and Sydney. She lost out in the quarterfinals of Melbourne Park to Na Li, not quite having enough punch against the Chinese star. Radwanska is quality and flair, if not power. A great thinker and reader of the game and hit the semi finals here last season. Tricky quarter for her along with Angelique Kerber, Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki. Would edge her to take the quarter, but it could be a tough battle with Kerber.

Germany’s Angelique Kerber is immense when on top of her game. Had a stellar 2012 and now she has to live up to expectation. Has been good, but not quite on top of her form in 2013. Went to the quarters of Brisbane, then the semi’s in Sydney, before a disappointing loss against Ekaterina Makarova in the round of sixteen at the Australian Open. Hopefully she’ll bounce back from there and has the ability to go deep this week, as he has to raise her game.

Best Outside Bet
Going to take a look at Caroline Wozniacki. No, she hasn’t been in any kind of form this season at all, but has made a return to the top ten this week, ahead of Marion Bartoli. She took just an hour in the opening round to move ahead. The thing with her is the draw this week. She is in the unpredictable quarter with Radwanska and Kerber. Not as good as either of them at the moment, but that is what this is, an outside bet who could surprise. Hard to back with confidence because of a lack of consistency, but a decent price for a long shot.

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