Caroline Wozniacki v Svetlana Kuznetsova Betting Odds – US Open – 05.09.11

Wozniacki US Open trail toughens

Sports Betting

World number one Caroline Wozniacki squares off against her toughest opponent so far in the top half of the women’s US Open tennis draw. The young Dane, who is still looking for her first ever Grand Slam title, despite being the highest ranked player for a long time, runs into former US Open Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. Wozniacki had little trouble in negotiating her way past American Vania King in the third round to set up this expected clash. While Wozniacki is moving along smoothly, clearning having gotten a bit more confidence back in her game, there is still a tough road ahead for her at Flushing Meadows if she wants to taste Grand Slam success. Should she beat Kuznetsova, then there could still be Andrea Petkovic and Serena Williams ahead of the final to come for Wozniacki. If she is going to win the 2011 US Open, then she is certainly going to have to do it the hard way, without a doubt. Now the real test begins as we hit the second week of the tournament. Wozniacki is moving well, that incredible defence is still in play but you still feel a bit borderline as to whether she has enough potency to go all the way. But Wozniacki has undeniable talent, no-one has won more titles in the WTA season than her, but she has yet to prove her mental acuity in the pressure cauldron of a Grand Slam. It will be very interesting to see how she handles the pace and power of Svetlana Kuznetsova. The likelihood is that Wozniacki will be out served in this match, but then again, Wozniacki always looks more comfortable when she is receiving than most players in the world. That is something of her forte, and what breaks the backs of so many of her opponents. She always seems to be ahead of the game, in the right place at the right time to make telling returns, forcing the attacking player into unforced errors.

So what will Caroline Wozniacki v Svetlana Kuznetsova betting serve up? Well the big Russian has pretty much cruised through. She beat Elena Baltacha in the second round and then easily dispatched of Akqul Amanmuradova in the third round to set up this clash. She will go into the match as underdog, but this could turn out to be a closely ran thing. Kuznetsova is very accomplished, and a former Grand Slam winner here at Flushing Meadows. Yes, it was a few years ago, and she hasn’t exactly lived up to those heady heights since, but she is a big threat. She is quick around the court, and very good on the back hand returns down the line. She will have to be on top of her service game, mixing up the raw pace with some nice sliders to send Wozniacki as wide as possible. The fewer long rallies Kuznetsova can get into, the better served she will be in the duration of the match, that is because Wozniacki has remarkable ability to grind opponents down, just because of her defence. Kuznetsova needs to punch quickly and powerfully.

Caroline Wozniacki v Svetlana Kuznetsova Head to Head
So to the head to head between these two. There have been six meetings in the WTA between them, stretching back to 2008. That first meeting was won but the Russian, back when Wozniacki was a mere 47th in the world rankings. Since then, the young Dane has won four of the other five meetings. They met once this year, back at the start of the season in the final of Dubai, which Wozniacki won very easily, dropping just four games. Wozniacki has won the past three meetings between them, all on hard court. Wozniacki has a WTA leading six titles on the year and a 53/12 match record, while Kuznetsova has not lifted a title this year, and holds a 27/17 match record.

Caroline Wozniacki v Svetlana Kuznetsova Betting Odds
Wozniacki to win: 1/3 at SportingBet
Kuznetsova to win: 11/4 at SkyBet

Caroline Wozniacki v Svetlana Kuznetsova Betting Tip: Have to take Wozniacki because of the head to head record. She still looks as if she has another gear to go, and think her defence will win out on the day.