It is women’s semi-final night at the Australian Open with both of the matches taking place on the Rod Laver Arena as we find out which two ladies will clash in the final of the opening Grand Slam of the year on Saturday.
We have the top two in the world on show across the evening out in Melbourne and a couple of dangerous, powerful opponents who will be looking to cause upsets and book spots in the final of the tournament.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Paula Badosa
The opening semi-final of the tournament sees the world number one and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka going up against her friend and back to form Paula Badosa in what is sure to be a heavy hitting start to the evening.
Both these women have dropped just one set on their way to this semi-final. Sabalenka dropped hers in the last round when Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova punched a few holes into her and potentially showed Badosa the way to the victory here. Badosa dropped her set against Marta Kostyuk. The way Badosa dealt with Coco Gauff in the quarter final was very impressive and there is no reason to think the Spaniard can’t trouble the world number one if not beat her. Sabalenka can be relentless when she gets into a groove but I just expect an absolute epic here the way both players are hitting the ball. The game line for this one is 21.5 which looks particularly attractive for the over for me. Two tight sets gets this one over the line but the way they are playing and the familiarity they have with each other there is every chance that this one goes the distance. Sabalenka has won the last five meetings so I probably would edge her to win but Badosa looks stronger and in better form than she has for a long while at the minute and that can take us to 22 games and beyond.
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Madison Keys vs Iga Swiatek
The second semi-final of the Australian Open sees two women looking to make the final in Melbourne for the first time in their careers when Madison Keys takes on Iga Swiatek in a clash between the Adelaide champion and the multiple Grand Slam winner.
Keys has had to really battle in the last two rounds to make it through to this semi-final but in Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina she has had two strong campaigners to take care of. Swiatek has cruised through the draw with Emma Navarro really the only challenge she has faced in terms of world ranking of opponent and she brushed her aside with the minimum of fuss. You do get the feeling that Keys has the power to impact on Swiatek on a court like this and I certainly hope she does because I am effectively the on the American at 25/1 to win this match having backed her outright before a ball was hit. Swiatek is 4-1 on past meetings between the two but they are 1-1 on a hard court which gives me some encouragement. Keys is an outsider here but I hope she’s a live one and given I’m already on her I don’t need to be on again.
Tips
Back A.Sabalenka vs P.Badosa – Over 21.5 games for a 3/10 stake at 2.00 with Betfair