Wimbledon Tip: Hantuchova V Azarenka

The third round at Wimbledon is the point when seeded players can clash against one another for the first time and there should be fewer one-sided matches. The bookies are inevitably backing fourth seed Victoria Azarenka to win (4/7 with Boylesports) against 25th seed Daniela Hantuchova, who is a best price of 13/8 with Betfred.  On closer inspection we can see that the outsider is worth a punt due to some excellent form on grass coming into the Championships, in which she has claimed a few notable scalps.

In the Wimbledon build-up, the Slovakian played in the Aegon Classic in Birmingham where she defeated number two seed Ana Ivanovic en route to her second career grass court final. She followed this run at Eastbourne by knocking out two title contenders in Li Na and Venus Williams before she was forced to retire in the semi-finals. Now fit again, Hantuchova looks to be getting into her stride at the All-England Club. After dropping her first set of the championship, she has now won four sets on the bounce which includes a 6-3 6-1 second round win over Marina Erakovic.

Azarenka has only been beyond the third round here on one occasion out of five. Although her progress has been comfortable so far - her first round opponent retired - she is potentially vulnerable. Her second serve is thought to lack stability and power and her mobility around the court is not the best. Expect Hantuchova to exploit these weaknesses or her current form and edge out a close encounter by two sets to one. Bet365 offer the best price on this at 9/2.