5th Sep 2015 | US Open
Women's US Open Tip: Victoria Azarenka
Vika is probably the only player who always gives Serena a close match and the pressure is all on the American in New York.
A few days into the US Open and there are signs that Serena Williams is feeling the pressure of chasing an historic calendar Grand Slam.
The world number one was just two games from defeat in Round 3 before she recovered and there’s a very long way to go yet.
The person who looks the best bet to deny the 33-year-old is long-time foe Victoria Azarenka who is worth an each-way punt at 9/1 with Ladbrokes who will pay out at half odds even if the Belarusian is denied in the final - probably by Serena.
‘Vika’ won’t meet anyone she should fear before that even if Angelique Kerber will provide a stern test next.
Azarenka has won the Australian Open twice (2012 & 2013) and reached the finals at Flushing Meadows in those same years. Now back after serious injury trouble in 2014, the 26-year-old is desperate to stop Serena from achieving her ultimate aim.
The head-to-head record (17-3) makes ugly reading for the number 20 seed but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Azarenka has led but lost in all three meetings this year but with all the expectation surrounding Williams, the outcome could be different in New York next weekend.
We make a nice profit even if Azarenka simply reaches a fifth Grand Slam final.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 12:17 5th Sep, 2015 but subject to change
