What does the 2013 Australian Open Tennis betting have in store for the women’s draw? The action starts in Melbourne on January 14th, 2013 and with such competitive action in the WTA last season, who gain control early?
Can Azarenka defend title?
The 2012 season started with a bang for world number one Victoria Azarenka, who toppled Maria Sharapova in the final, breezing to a 6-3 6-0 easy win. That was the breakthrough moment of Belarusian Azarenka’s career, taking her first Grand Slam title. It was a victory that set her up for a tremendous season which saw her take six titles and setting a new record for the most prize money during a single season on the WTA, finishing just short of $8 million. Azarenka is going to be worth a look for 2013 Australian Open Tennis betting, because she is at home on the hard court more than anywhere else. She also went on a tear to close out the season before falling in the end of season WTA Championships semi final to Maria Sharapova. Much like Andy Murray in the men’s game, Azarenka has to prove that she is not just one of the many one Slam wonders on the women’s Tour. If she steps up yet another level, then she will get very close to more in 2013. She had never been past the quarter final of the Australian Open before she landed the win last term, but being the reigning champion and the player closest to Serena Williams in terms of power, there is a bit of value in Victoria Azarenka 2013 Australian Open betting odds. She is trading at 3/1 second favourite with online bookmaker Bet365 at the moment.
Williams favourite for Melbourne
Vika is second favourite because of Serena Williams, who is dominating the Australian Open Tennis betting market. The American was stunning throughout the second half of the season. Once she had gotten her hands on the Wimbledon title (beating Azarenka in the semis), there was no looking back. Williams took five titles out of the next six events she entered, getting the better again of Azarenka in two more of those tournaments. Power personified, there doesn’t look like any reason why she won’t get back her number one spot in the world at some point during 2013, unless Azarenka overturns a poor head to head record against her. After not winning a Grand Slam since the 2010 Wimbledon showing, Williams blitzed her way to the Wimbledon and US Open titles last season. She is no stranger to the Australian Open title, winning it five times already in her career and in the 2013 draw, she will be the one to stop. Firm favourite and hard to look past. She fell at the fourth round last season, but that was before she had really gotten her foothold in the season. She is fit, she is powerful and she should be in the final. Serena Williams Australian Open tennis betting odds has her as overwhelming favourite at 6/4 with online bookmaker Bet365, still offering some positive value.
Sharapova sights on second Australian Open title
Maria Sharapova will be hoping to build on a good season last term. With her Grand Slam title at the French Open, the Russian completed the set of winning each Grand Slam. That remains her only title since claiming the Australian Open back in January of 2008. Still, she is one of the top players around at the moment, her grit and determination pushing her close. She lost the final of the Australian Open last season against Azarenka and that is the issue which she needs to get over. She is superb behind her first serve and when that is working, so is she. However, when it came to the crunch matches against either Victoria Azarenka or Serena WIlliams, she ultimately falls a little short. The potential and talent is there, it is whether she can channel her aggression to really punch toe to toe with the other two big guns in the game. She is back in the pecking order for 2013 Australian Open Tennis Betting because of those issues.
Kvitova, Radwanska and Kerber potential
While the big three front runners should ultimately scrap it out for the title between them, it is worth looking at some longer shots. The threat of left hander Petra Kvitova, who showed glimpses of her best last season, could be there if she is on top of her game. She had the world at her feet when she won Wimbledon in 2011 and had a pretty good run in the Slams last year, despite some general patchy form and fitness over the year. She hit the semi finals of both the Australian Open and French Open last term and it is the power and awkwardness from the left hander which will make her a decent threat. She has improved by a round every season she has entered the Australian Open. The next step would be the final for her. The same can be said of Polish star Agnieszka Radwanska who was one of the most consistent players on the WTA, picking up titles and failing to grab her first Grand Slam title when she lost to Serena WIlliams in the final of Wimbledon. Immense potential, but questions over her game when it comes up against power.
One of the sensations of the WTA last season was Germany’s Angelique Kerber who had a breakthrough season in her career. The young German became a top 5 player and really showed her potential again by hitting the semi final of Wimbledon with a fantastic run. Still needs a bit more to her game, but she is not too far away from being a real challenger in the Grand Slams. She will have more expectation on her shoulders this time around and other players will be wary of her. Kerber was the only player to beat Serena Williams in a match from the start of Wimbledon to the end of the season. If there is an outside shot worthy of taking it, then it will be Kerber who guns for her first Slam success.
Men’s 2013 Australian Open Tennis Betting Odds and Preview
2013 Australian Open Tennis Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Serena Williams 6/4, Victoria Azarenka 3/1, Maria Sharapova 7/1, Petra Kvitova 9/1, Li Na 16/1, Angelique Kerber 18/1, Sam Stosur 20/1, Agnieszka Radwanska 25/1, Caroline Wozniacki 25/1
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