It is semi-final day at the Australian Open on Thursday with both women’s matches and the first men’s match taking place over the course of the day on the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
It was straight sets day on Wednesday with Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber, Hyeon Chung and Roger Federer cruising through. The two men have to wait until Friday for their semi-final but the women are heavily involved on Thursday.
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Elise Mertens vs Caroline Wozniacki
The first semi-final sees two women still battling for their first Grand Slam title doing battle when Caroline Wozniacki takes on Elise Mertens. The Belgian is in her first match at this level of a major while the Dane is looking to make another final.
Both women have come through the draw nicely. Although Wozniacki was forced to go three sets in the quarter final she played to a very high standard. Mertens was also good in the quarter final but in fairness her opponent never showed up. There are a couple of what ifs for this match so as I’m basically on Wozniacki at 5/1 having backed her outright that is enough interest for me in this one.
Simona Halep vs Angelique Kerber
The second semi-final sees the world number one Simona Halep taking on the 2016 champion Angelique Kerber in what looks like it has the makings of being a cracking contest between two women who are full of quality and playing great tennis.
Both women came through the quarter final in straight sets but there is no doubt in my mind that Kerber produced the performance of the tournament so far so while Halep is the best player in the world on the rankings I think she has to raise her game to cope here.
That is borne out in their head to head too. Overall it is 4-4 between the two but Kerber has won four of the last five and she has won them all in straight sets. The way Kerber is hitting the ball combined with her defensive skills make me think she will keep that run going. Taking her in straight sets looks the value option here.
Marin Cilic vs Kyle Edmund
We have to wait until the night session for the opening men’s semi-final and it is one which all British eyes will be on as the British number two Kyle Edmund takes on Marin Cilic for a place in Sunday’s final.
Edmund is in his first Grand Slam semi-final and after seeing off Grigor Dimitrov in fine style in the quarter final he will be full of confidence here. Cilic came past Rafael Nadal in the quarter final and in the periods of play that he was aggressive he looked really good. He needs to be in that frame of mind here to come through.
These two met in Shanghai a few months ago and Cilic won in straight sets with the second set a tiebreak but I fancy this will be a closer match. Edmund is really hitting the ball well while Cilic looks to be in good nick. I’ve got to think this one goes four sets at least and that should see the 38.5 games line covered.
Tips
Back A.Kerber to win 2-0 for a 3/10 stake at 2.75 with William Hill
Back her here:
Back M.Cilic vs K.Edmund – Over 38.5 games for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Betfred
Back it here:
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