Australian Open preview and odds: Venus Williams vs Johanna Konta

Published on: 18/01/2016

Australian Open preview and odds: Venus Williams vs Johanna Konta

January 19 2016 11:00am - Rod Laver Arena

Australian Open - Round 1

Tenth-ranked Venus Williams will open her 2016 Australian Open account against rising British star Johanna Konta.

Intriguing opener for Venus

Venus Williams and Johanna Konta last went head-to-head in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open last year. On that occasion, the American prevailed 6-4 3-6 7-5.

The 35-year-old had a good 2015 and looks capable of bagging more titles despite being in the twilight years of her career. She bagged three titles in Zhuhai, Auckland and Wuhan, and made it to the quarter-finals of two Grand Slams (US and Australian) for the first time since 2010. In addition, the World No. 10 also reached the semi-finals in Hong Kong and Doha.

Williams has not had the best start to 2016, having fallen to Daria Kasatkina in the first round of her ASB Classic title defence in Auckland.

Konta makes Melbourne debut

Johanna Konta had an unforgettable 2015 and will now set out to prove that she can compete at such a high level on a regular basis.

After beating Ekaterina Makarova and Garbine Muguruza to reach the quarter-finals at Eastbourne, the 24-year-old enjoyed a run of 21-1 to secure two ITF crowns in Granby and Vancouver. She then went on to qualify for the US Open, and once gain beat Muguruza on her way to in the round of 16, where she eventually lost to Petra Kvitova.

Konta carried that form into Wuhan Open where she overcame Andrea Petkovic, Victoria Azarenka and Simona Halep before finally falling at the hands of Williams. The British player ended the season as World No. 47 and will now compete in her first ever Australian Open.

So far in 2016, Konta has yet to win a game, having lost in the first round of events in Shenzhen and Hobart.

Betting odds and tips

Konta had a great 2015 but she has started the season slowly and it is hard to see her troubling Venus Williams in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Williams may have had an off-day in Auckland - committing 73 unforced errors during the defeat to Kasatkin - but the seven-time Grand Slam champion will be keen to bounce back from that upset to put on a good display Down Under.

In the Game Handicap market, Williams -4 offers good value at 11/10 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 18/01/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (18/01/2016 16:50:51) but are subject to change.