It is the last day of quarter final matches at the Australian Open tennis on Wednesday and by the end of what is another potentially high quality day of action in Melbourne we will know our line up for the semi-finals in both singles draws.
Tuesday wasn’t a good day for our bets but it was a good day for the Americans and the Swiss as Venus Williams and Coco Vandeweghe made the semi-finals in the women’s event while Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka set up a mouth-watering semi-final in the men’s tournament.
Karolina Pliskova vs Mirjana Lucic-Baroni
The opening match on Rod Laver Arena sees the US Open runner-up Karolina Pliskova taking on the veteran Mirjana Lucic-Baroni who is something of a fairy-tale story in this tournament. Pliskova will be expected to come through this match but that carries plenty of pressure which Lucic-Baroni isn’t going to have.
We’ve already seen Pliskova feel the pressure earlier in the tournament when she faced Jelena Ostapenko and you’ve got to think something similar could happen here especially when you factor in that the last two meetings between these two have gone to three sets so their matches are generally tight and nervy.
Lucic-Baroni has already seen off top quality in Agnieszka Radwanska in this tournament. I’m not sure if she’ll get past Pliskova but she can certainly keep this one close and push the Czech all the way.
Johanna Konta vs Serena Williams
The pick of the quarter finals in the women’s draw is the one between the form horse Jo Konta and the absolute legend that is Serena Williams. This will be the toughest test for both women and it looks a fascinating battle.
Serena heads into the match as the favourite which based on her history is fair enough. Konta is the outsider but nothing like the price some opponents would be against Serena and that is perfectly fair too. With that in mind this is one to watch and enjoy rather than bet on.
David Goffin vs Grigor Dimitrov
The day session on Arthur Ashe concludes with a clash between David Goffin and Grigor Dimitrov. This is their second career meeting after the met at the 2014 US Open. Dimitrov won on that occasion and he is the favourite to win here too.
You would think by the way their styles blend that this will an entertaining and potentially lengthy match but the odds look about right. Those who followed our picks right from the beginning will already be on Dimitrov at 8/1 for this match as we backed him for the quarter and that is enough of an interest for us.
Rafael Nadal vs Milos Raonic
The quarter final in the night session is probably the pick of the men’s matches as Rafael Nadal looks to make it into his first Grand Slam semi-final in three years when he takes on a Milos Raonic who will be aiming for his third semi in his last five Grand Slams.
There is an ever strengthening feeling that the winner of this match will go on and claim the title so it is a huge match for both men. Nadal leads their head to head 6-2 but Raonic has won two of their last three and I believe the Canadian should be the favourite here based on what we’ve seen this week.
I am on Raonic for the tournament though and this could be the biggest stumbling block in his way to winning it so I’m not going to get involved in this one. I’ll sit back and hope the world number three comes through although I wouldn’t put anyone not already on him off backing him.
Tips
WON – Back M.Lucic-Baroni (+4.5 games) to beat K.Pliskova for a 4/10 stake at 2.05 with Boylesports
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