Tennis Betting Advice - January 2020
Australian Open: Semi Final – Thiem v Zverev…
Thursday 30th January 2020
In your Ones to Watch email today:
Good afternoon and welcome to day 12 of our Australian Open coverage.
Big result for Sonya…
Sofia Kenin is through to her first Grand Slam final.
The 21-year-old American displayed her trademark fighting qualities last night, fending off set points in both the first and second sets, to knock out World No.1 and tournament favourite, Ashleigh Barty.
That match was a real nerve-jangler. But it was the underdog who held her nerve better, with Kenin using her emotion to positive effect.
The girl her Dad calls Sonya came through 7-6, 7-5, taking advantage of an error-filled performance from the Australian crowd favourite.
After Dominic Thiem beat Rafael Nadal in the men’s quarter finals yesterday, that means both of our remaining Ones to Watch picks have taken out World No.1’s this week.
Kenin’s semi-final win was also of course a significant result for our Outright book.
We said it ‘only takes one’ to make this worthwhile at big prices. 50/1 Kenin is now 6/4 (2.50) for the title. And the Each Way place terms mean a half-the-odds return of 25/1 for reaching the final is now secured.
Sonya will face Garbine Muguruza in the final on Saturday morning. We’ll look at that match in tomorrow’s email.
Thiem v Zverev…
There’s one semi final still to be played, and that’s Dominic Thiem v Alexander Zverev (Friday 8.30am).
Having reached the French Open final two years running, this is a first hard-court Grand Slam semi final for the 26-year-old Thiem.
For his younger opponent, this is a first Major semi altogether…
Age and experience are on the side of Thiem. The head-to-head v Zverev is also 6-2 in our man’s favour. Dominic is ranked No.5 in the world. ‘Sascha’ Zverev is No.7.
In the Match Winner betting, the bookies make Thiem a solid 1/2 (1.50) favourite to beat the 22-year-old German.
And in the Outright Winner market, our 22/1 Each Way pick is now 4/1 to win a maiden Grand Slam trophy.
The next generation…
This should be a good semi final. Both young men are flying the flag for the next generation of men’s tennis players.
From the long-established order at the pinnacle of the sport, reigning Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic awaits the winner of this match in Sunday’s final.
Zverev has long been touted as a future Grand Slam star. But after a dreadful run of form (and double faults) in the build-up to Melbourne, it’s fair to say that Sasha’s run to the semis has come as something of a surprise. On day one, he was 50/1 for the trophy. He’s now 12/1 to go all the way, and 13/8 (2.63) to beat Thiem and reach the final.
It could be that Alex is now playing – all of a sudden – with less pressure on himself. He’s alluded to that in his comments this last week…
Should he win the tournament, Zverev has vowed to donate the entire winner’s prize of four million Australian dollars to the bushfire relief fund.
As with Nick Kyrgios winning over many people with his big involvement in the fundraising appeal this month, this Australian Open campaign could prove to be the making of Zverev as a modern professional, both on & off the court.
Thiem has a reputation for conducting himself brilliantly and playing in the right spirit. All in all, this should be a refreshing semi final in the men’s event. Two ‘new’ players (as in, no Grand Slam trophies won yet), some massive groundstrokes – and an abundance of raw tennis talent.
I’ll be back tomorrow with your day 13 email, looking at the women’s final.
P.S
If you have any questions or want to drop me a line during the tournament, I’m on hand via email. You can message me at: tom.wilson@oxonpress.co.uk
Enjoy the tennis…
Best wishes,
Tom Wilson