There’s a great, competitive field in ATP Brisbane International tennis betting this week. US Open winner, and Australian native Sam Stosur will be the crowd favourite at least on her home turf, as she builds towards her Australian Open Grand Slam campaign. The first Grand Slam of the season kicks off in just a couple of weeks time and that is why we are seeing the stars come out in the early new season. Stosur, along with seven of the other top eight seeds make it through safely from the first round, the only seed to fall being young Dominika Cibulkova. The top half of the draw is looking a bit special as both Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams are battling it out in there. Last season’s Australian Open winner Kim Clijsters is hoping to have a successful return to the game after most of her 2011 was ruined by a foot injury, which kept her from challenging for more titles. So for Clijsters, it is going to be about getting back some match sharpness and fitness, no doubt and if she is going to get to the final here, she will have to first go through Stosur, and then most likely Serena Williams at the semi final stage. Clijsters, on top form is the most accomplished and complete player on the WTA and of course she has the experience and Grand Slam titles to back it up. There’s nothing quite like seeing her at her effortless best, but there is probably going to be some way back to the top of her game. So does that make Stosur a stronger bet? Not sure, because Stosur really is a grinder, and not someone you look too for a lot of flair. Would still back Clijsters over here.
While the return of Clijsters is definitely a big headline grabber, the prospect from the top half of the draw in WTA Brisbane International tennis betting, is the prospective semi final of Stosur v Williams, a repeat of the US Open final, in which the American lost her cool and her temper. Breaking it down, Williams has the easiest quarter here, and the power she still has in her game will make her a threat no matter what. She will be bursting at the seams to get back to the Australian Open for another Grand Slam shot and although she is more beatable now than at any point in her career, would probably back her over the other two to make it to the final. We really need to see how sharp Clijsters is on her return (if they were both fully fit, would back Clijsters all the way), and Stosur, well, she will be living on her reputation as a recent Grand Slam winner, but still, don’t think that she really has the game to consistently beat the top players time and time again. Should see her in the quarter finals though when the challenges will get tougher and tougher.
In the bottom half of the draw we have Jelena Jankovic who is looking to rediscover a lot of lost form from 2011, and Francesca Schiavone who lost to Li Na in the final of the French Open last year. We also have young Russian powerhouse Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the mix as well, and am really looking for a big step forward from her this season. She has the qualities to win a lot of tournaments, but her inconsistency just lets her down at the wrong times. Still, she will mature and will get better and could be worth a shot here, simply because of her serving selection and power, as an outside bet. Going as favourite really from the bottom half of the draw, and she is seeded number two for the Brisbane International tennis betting, is German Andrea Petkovic. Petkovic really burst on the scene last year with some phenomenally strong performances, beating some of the best in the world. She is a great character, plays with a lot of enjoyment and passion and wears a smile on her face most of the time. But she has the game to back it up and if she is going to develop on from really her breakthrough season last year, then she is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Hoping for a slightly more mature season from her, but still with that spunk and fire which makes her a great entertainer. Full of promise and wouldn’t hesitate to get a bet down on her. Really want to see her progress and see her go up against the likes of Clijsters and Williams.
WTA Brisbane 2012 International Tennis Betting Odds
Serena Williams: 5/2 at Boylesports
Kim Clijsters: 7/2 at SkyBet
Sam Stosur: 11/2 at BetFred
Andrea Petkovic: 7/1 at Boylesports
Jelena Jankovic: 11/1 at VC Bet
Francesca Schiavone: 14/1 at Bet365
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