WTA Australian Open Semi-Final: Maria Sharapova v Petra Kvitova Odds and Betting Preview

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – World Number Two Petra Kvitova goes head to head with 2008 Champion Maria Sharapova for a place in the Australian Open final this Thursday in a rematch of last Summer’s Wimbledon Final. Petra Kvitova has been made the slight favourite for the contest at a best price of 8/11 with Bet365 whilst Sharapova is a 5/4 chance for the encounter with Coral.

Maria Sharapova will be out to avenge her Wimbledon defeat this Thursday as she takes on tournament favourite Petra Kvitova in the second Women’s Semi-Final. The former World Number One moved into the final four after a comfortable straight sets victory over fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova. Despite the convincing 6-2 6-3 scoreline, Sharapova was playing far from her finest tennis against Makarova with an uncharacteristically high 32 unforced errors and will need to up her game if she wishes to knock out the in-form Kvitova.

Petra Kvitova has showed no signs of slowing down from her breakthrough 2011 campaign, with the 21 year-old Czech sensation putting her best Australian Open performance to date by reaching the tournament’s Semi-Final stage. Kvitova knocked off unseeded Sara Errani in the Quarter-Finals despite committing 44 unforced errors in the contest as her immense power proved too much for her opponent.

Both Women are in the running to claim the World Number One by the end the week; with Sharapova needing to win the tournament to claim the title whilst Kvitova can secure the top spot with victory if Victoria Azarenka goes out to Kim Clijsters in the earlier Semi-Final. Kvitova holds the slight advantage in head to head matches between the two players, winning two of their three encounters.

Kvitova is quoted at best odds of 7/1 with Ladbrokes to claim a straight sets victory whilst a 2-1 triumph is a 3/1 chance at Boylesports. Sharapova is available at 3/1 to claim a straight sets victory with William Hill whilst a 2-1 victory is a 4/1 shot at bet365.

Kvitova is the bookmaker’s favourite to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup at an industry-best 7/4 with Bet365, whilst Sharapova is a 4/1 chance for the trophy at Paddy Power.

Play is scheduled to begin on Centre Court after the conclusion of the first Women’s Semi-Final at around 0330 GMT.

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