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Maria Sharapova vs. Victoria Azarenka Preview & Tips | 2012 Australian Open Women’s Final
Maria Sharapova goes in search of her first Australian Open title since 2008 when she takes on Victoria Azarenka in the 2012 Australian Open women’s final – and the biggest screaming match in WTA tennis – in Melbourne on Saturday.
Maria Sharapova vs. Victoria Azarenka Trends Analysis
Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka have met 6 times in the past. The spoils of these matches are split evenly between them, with three wins apiece. Their record in their 4 hard court games is also level, with each winning 2 matches on the surface.
Their most recent meeting was in Rome, on clay, in 2011, where Azarenka retired from the match with Sharapova 6-4, 3-0 ahead to hand the Russian the win. However, Azarenka won their only completed match in 2011, at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.
Maria Sharapova’s progress to the final hasn’t been easy. She emerged from the fourth round courtesy of a 3 set win over Sabine Lisicki, rolled over compatriot Ekaterina Makarova in straight sets, and then needed 3 sets to put away Wimbledon winner, Petra Kvitova.
Sharapova hasn’t had the killer instinct in grand slam finals in recent years, losing in the finals of Wimbledon and the Australian Open in 2011 and 2007 respectively. Furthermore, her inability to win a grand slam title since injuring her shoulder three years ago will have instilled a fair amount of self doubt.
Victoria Azarenka, meanwhile, will be playing in her first grand slam final, with her previous best grand slam performance seeing her eliminated in the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2011. However, she has won the ’5th grand slam’, taking the WTA Tour Championships in 2011 – a performance which she followed with a tournament win in Sydney in early 2012.
Azarenka has had some mighty battles over the last couple of days, needing 3 sets to win both her quarterfinal and semifinal. Her three set defeat of defending champion, Kim Clijsters, in the semis showed read maturity and determination, but may leave her fatigued ahead of the final.
Maria Sharapova vs. Victoria Azarenka Betting Tips
Experience may decide the outcome of this match. Sharapova has been here before, won and lost, and is familiar with the pressures of a grand slam final. Azarenka’s making her first appearance in a final, and has not shown the best grand slam temprament in the past.
While Sharapova should probably have an edge as a potential winner, we think it’s too close to call. What we can predict is that this match won’t end without both players winning at least one set.
Our 2012 Australian Open Women’s Final betting tip is therefore to back a 3 set game in the number of sets markets at the best odds you can get.
Maria Sharapova vs. Victoria Azarenka Betting Odds
Today's Tennis Betting Specials
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