US Open Women's Betting: Azarenka to storm past Vesnina

"The Belarusian is undoubtedly still working her way back to top form and fitness, but her winning pedigree hasn’t left her and she is showing signs of getting back to somewhere near her best."

The third round concludes on Saturday but with more top seeds crashing out of the tournament, Abelson Info take a closer look at the remaining pack...

Friday produced its fair share of upsets with Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber and Venus Williams all losing much earlier than expected.

Add that to the top seeds that we have already lost and suddenly the field is becoming a little more interesting, with a realistic prospect of seeing a surprise package emerge in the quarter-finals.

Nevertheless, world number one Serena Williams will be in no mood to join those big names on their way home, as she looks ahead to her next test against Varvara Lepchenko.

The top seed has coasted through her opening two matches, dropping just one game last time out against Vania King, and she now faces another fellow American en route to defending her crown.

The two-time defending champion is a huge favourite to emerge from her quarter of the draw, and with her only real test expected in the semi-finals, she will be hoping to continue to do a professional job against inferior opposition.

She has won both her previous meetings with Lepchenko with minimal fuss, and we envisage this encounter going the same way so the games market is worth investigation.

Elsewhere, Victoria Azarenka continues on her comeback trail as after struggling in the opening round, she produced a solid performance to overcome Christina McHale.

The Belarusian is undoubtedly still working her way back to top form and fitness, but her winning pedigree hasn't left her and she is showing signs of getting back to somewhere near her best.

Having made the final in New York last year, she will be desperate to produce a repeat performance, but while it will get tougher soon enough, she will be confident of her chances against Elena Vesnina.

Azarenka has won all five of their previous meetings, the last two at Grand Slams last year, and perhaps the most telling statistic of all is that all five victories have come in straight sets.

This isn't a vintage version of Azarenka, but she clearly has the beating of her rival and as she continues to display signs of improvement, back her to get the job done.

Meanwhile, we expect Flavia Pennetta to also come through in straight sets against American youngster Nicole Gibbs, particularly as the latter has already come through back-to-back gruelling three-set matches.

The Italian will be the fresher of the two and she can use her experience to get the better of her opponent which will result in a favourable looking fourth round clash against either Casey Dellacqua or Karolina Pliskova.

Following Pennetta into the fourth round will be Eugenie Bouchard, as the Canadian ace continues to show an ability to produce her best at the majors.

Despite struggling in the build up to this tournament, the world number eight is back doing what she does best, winning matches.

Recommended Bets:
Back Under 16.5 Games in Williams-Lepchenko @ 1.9520/21
Back Azarenka to beat Vesnina 2-0 @ 1.75/7
Back Bouchard to beat Strycova 2-0 @ 2.186/5

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US Open Women's Betting: In-form Halep to defeat Kirilenko

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US Open Women's Final: Williams to win but Azarenka to fight hard

"We can envisage Azarenka taking seven or eight games and that immediately directs our attention to the Azarenka handicap markets for total games.

Selection: Azarenka +5.5 Games @ 2.01/1

Serena Williams is a hot favourite to win the Women's US Open later tonight but what does Abelson Info rates as the best bet of the game?

Victoria Azarenka (1) 5.39/2 v Serena Williams (4) 1.232/9
H-to-H 1-9

You will rarely find a Grand Slam final with such a short priced favourite as we have here. Serena has been in scintillating form all tournament and it will take more than a mere mortal to stop her.

Azarenka may have the number one seeding next to her name but we all know Serena is the real number one player in the world. Add in a crushing head to head record in favour of Williams and you will struggle to see much hope for Azarenka. There is just a little however as Serena has once or twice under performed in finals and has been known to get a little nervy with the finish line in sight. We are not saying Azarenka will win but she may well take more games off the American than most.

We can envisage Azarenka taking seven or eight games and that immediately directs our attention to the Azarenka handicap markets for total games. Azarenka +4.5 is tempting but the better bet is Azarenka +5.5 games.

Selection: Azarenka +5.5 Games @ 2.01/1

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Olympics Women's Football: Japan can run fatigued US close

"Since women's football was introduced as an Olympic sport in Atlanta 1996, the USA have reached every final, losing only to surprise package Norway at the Sydney Games in 2000."

The USA's finest female footballers rarely fail in an Olympic final but a 120 minute semi against Canada may leave a legacy, and they may fail to justify 90 minute favouritism against Japan, says Hannah Duncan

The women's football at London 2012 has been one of the Games' biggest successes, with bumper crowds in attendance as the tournament has progressed, really showcasing the quality of the women's game.

And Thursday's final between USA and Japan should be far from an anticlimactic finish, with a repeat of last summer's World Cup final in store. It is a match not to miss.

One year ago, the two sides' encounter went all the way to penalties, following two goals in extra-time and more than 80,000 tickets have already been sold to fans keen to see the rematch.

This time, FIFA's number one ranked side, the USA, are unsurprisingly 2.0421/20 favourites to gain revenge for their 3-1 spot-kick defeat in Frankfurt and ultimately win the gold medal, in what would be their fourth Olympic victory in five attempts.

Since women's football was introduced as an Olympic sport in Atlanta 1996, the USA have reached every final, losing only to surprise package Norway at the Sydney Games in 2000.

Reigning world champions Japan reached the final after a hard-fought 2-1 win over a good French side, which should be a confidence boost for Norio Sasaki's players.

The USA meanwhile, may have a tougher time of it at Wembley on Thursday night, after their semi-final with local rivals Canada went to extra-time, in what was a scintillating game of football.

Pia Sundhage's side were strong favourites for a comfortable win against Canada, having won each of their previous matches at London 2012, but their neighbours put in a performance worthy of reaching the final, only to be denied by a last-gasp winner after 120 minutes following a header from States' star-striker Alex Morgan.

The extra physical and mental exertion from the USA players will undoubtedly play into the hands of the Japanese, plus the knowledge that the States are beatable, having done so in last year's final in Germany, will be an extra boost.

It certainly makes the draw at 3.55n/a seem an attractive bet, especially as the Japanese are no strangers to a draw, having played out two 0-0 stalemates in the group stage against Sweden and South Africa.

But Sasaki's girls will have to cope with the formidable attacking threat the USA poses. Twenty-three-year-old Morgan has netted 29 times in 47 appearances for the Stars and Stripes, while strike partner Amy Wambach has the impressive figures of 143 goals in 187 appearances for her country.

It is certainly a close one to call, but while Japan are always capable, as they have proved in the past, of providing a shock, the Olympics is the USA's tournament and they're unlikely to relinquish their title without a very good fight.

Recommended Bet
Back the draw @ 3.55n/a

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Wimbledon Women's Draw First Round upsets: JJ to KO the great KC

"But, with this being Clijsters' last Wimbledon, the sprightly Jankovic, fresh from a run to the final of the Aegon Classic, will be looking to make it a short final visit, and the Serbian seed is too good a price to pass up."

Gary and James Boswell have found six players at odds-against who can cause upsets on the first two days at Wimbledon in the wonmen's draw. Here they are.

Although the weather might not indicate it, it's Wimbledon time again. Another year's exciting tennis approaches and James Boswell has been up to his eyeballs in racquets picking the best odds of the women's first round.

Jelena Jankovic to beat Kim Clijsters priced around 3.352/1

Without doubt, the pick of the first round is the match-up between 4 times slam winner Kim Clijsters and 18th seed Jelena Jankovic. Both former world number ones, this promises to be a veritable clash of the titans which could light up the whole tournament. Clijsters carries a formidable record into the game, having beaten Jankovic in seven of the pair's eight meetings. But, with this being Clijsters' last Wimbledon, the sprightly Jankovic, fresh from a run to the final of the Aegon Classic, will be looking to make it a short final visit, and the Serbian seed is too good a price to pass up.

Tamira Paszek to beat Caroline Wozniacki priced around 3.12/1

Coming in on the back of an unlikely victory at the Aegon International in Eastbourne, Tamira Paszek faces the Danish superstar Caroline Wozniacki. Only six months her opponent's junior, Paszek hasn't enjoyed the same success as the illustrious Dane, but that could all be about to change. Grass is clearly her preferred surface, as shown by her win by the sea, as well as a quarter final finish at last year's Wimbledon. And she's a real fighter on the court, which could upset the more fluid Wozniacki. It will be a big ask to beat the former world number one, but if she can do it, the Austrian could go far.

Vania King to beat Petra Cetkovska priced around 2.781/1

My third choice sees the American Vania King pitted against Czech hopeful Petra Cetkovska. A Wimbledon doubles winner, King has never managed to translate that promise onto the singles court at SW19, but this year is set to be the turning point. Although it feels like she's been around forever, King is only 21, and she's in the best singles form of her career. She will want to attack the 23rd seed from the outset and, although Cetkovska has previous, with an impressive 4th round performance last year, King could just prove to be too strong for the Czech.

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez to beat Ana Ivanovic priced around 4.73/1

And the prize for longest odds on my list goes to... Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, the Spanish doubles specialist. Like King, Martinez Sanchez is another player whose singles form is not as strong as her doubles', but, like King, she is a player on the rise. Her singles ranking has slowly been rising after years in the wilderness, and she is looking a more and more rounded player without a partner. Her opponent, the vivacious Ms. Ivanovic, is not to be trifled with, but she is certainly not at her strongest on the grass, so look for the Spaniard to capitalise by controlling the pace of the game. A shock in the making.

Arantxa Rus to beat Misake Doi priced around 2.31/1

One of the youngest match-ups in the first round, the meeting of the monosyllabic Rus and Doi promises to be a lively affair. Former junior world number one Rus looks a lively player who has given a good account of herself at the other majors. Doi, on the other hand, has a poor record everywhere else, but had a run to the third round at SW19 last year. In head to heads, Rus holds a slight advantage, having beaten Doi twice and lost only once, but none of these matches were played on grass. Ranked 27 places higher than her Japanese opponent, Rus is the clear favourite in my eyes, so her slight outsider odds are there to be capitalised upon.

Alexandra Panova to beat Mirjana Lucic priced around 2.581/1

The last name on my list is the Russian Alexandra Panova. Playing in her first Wimbledon, she is at the opposite end of her career to her opponent, the Croatian Mirjana Lucic. By her age though, Lucic had already won the Australian Open doubles with Martina Hingis, as well as making the Wimbledon semi-finals. After a long hiatus, Lucic has made a steady comeback, but has not made any impact at the majors. It's not the easiest of introductions to SW19 for Panova, but she does carry the higher world ranking and a 2-0 record against Lucic into the tie. Panova's is the corner to be in.

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