Australian Open Preview 26th Jan

If you took our advice and backed the final of the Australian Open to be between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic then you can sit back and enjoy the final safe in the knowledge that your money is in. If you have yet to make a bet then where should your money be going? Here is our guide to the two finals.

First on Saturday it is the Ladies who are in action as Victoria Azarenka takes on Na Li with Azarenka the 11/14 (pinnacle) favourite with the bookmakers while Li is 5/4 (Stan James). Azarenka leads the head-to-head record 5-4 including victory in each of the last four meetings. Li did win the one and only time these two met in the Australian Open which took place in the fourth round in 2011. I think Azarenka is the deserved favourite as she is the number one however she will not have things easy against Li who has been the player of the tournament so far. The Chinese player has been in great form not dropping a set and this was despite a tough looking route to the final where she had to see off Radwanska and Sharapova both of whom had been playing excellent tennis until they came up against Li. Azarenka meanwhile was pushed to three straight sets by Jamie Hampton and given a battle by Sloane Stephens.

The best bet is to take the game to go to three sets which is available at 6/4 (Blue Sq/888 Sport) which seems fair value when the game is too close to call. Two of the last three meetings between the pair have gone to three sets.

As mentioned before the battle between the men pitches Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray and with the greatest respect to Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal these are the two best tennis player in the world right now. Bookmakers make Djokovic the favourite and he is available at a best priced 8/13 (Blue Sq/888 Sport) for the victory while Murray is a best priced 13/8 (pinnacle). The Serb leads the head-to-head record 10-7 and has won the last two meetings. Djokovic has also beaten Murray in this event in the last two years. The Scot is a different player these last six months though and it would be no shock if he came out on top here. I would lean towards Murray as value if you have not had a bet on this event yet.

Those looking for a correct score bet can get a Djokovic 3-0 win at 3/1 (Blue Sq/888 Sport/BWin). Djokovic to win 3-1 is 7/2 (boylesports) while Djokovic to edge a five setter is 6/1 (boylesports). Those who think Murray will win can get 3-1 Murray at 6/1 while Murray 3-2 is 13/2 (Boylesport/Stan James) and a 3-0 Murray victory is the outsider at 7/1 (Skybet/betfred/BWin).

I am going to recommend a small punt on Andy Murray to win the first set at 7/5 (Boylesports). The Scot must know that if he is to have a chance of winning this that first set is crucial especially as Djokovic has had a day extra rest while he was playing out a five setter with Federer.

One last bet if you think Murray will win (and even if you don’t) it makes some sense to back Andy Murray to win the Sports Personality of the Year. In a non-olympic year the competition does not look to stiff and at 2/1 (ladbrokes) this allows you the chance to cover down the line with another star.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Andy Murray to win Sports Personality of the Year, 2/1 (ladbrokes)
SILVER: Na Li and Victoria Azarenka to go to three sets, 6/4 (Blue Sq/888 Sport)
BRONZE: Andy Murray to win the first set, 7/5 (Boylesports)

Go To bet365

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26/01/2013     © Frixo 2024