Australian Open preview and odds: Angelique Kerber vs Victoria Azarenka

Published on: 26/01/2016

Australian Open preview and odds: Angelique Kerber vs Victoria Azarenka

January 27, 2016 11:00am - Rod Laver Arena

Australian Open - Quarter-finals

After clashing in the recent Brisbane final, Angelique Kerber and Victoria Azarenka will go head-to-head once again on Wednesday when they meet in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

Great start to 2016 for Kerber

Angelique Kerber holds a 12-2 record so far in 2016 unfortunately, one of her two defeats came against Victoria Azarenka in the Brisbane International final. On that occasion, the German was easily beaten in two sets (6-3 6-1) but she now has a great opportunity to take revenge on the Grand Slam stage.

The 28-year-old is in great shape, having dropped just one set on her way to the final eight. In her last match, she was hardly troubled, as she strolled to a 6-4 6-0 win over Annika Beck. That game was characterised by her strong net play and brilliant return game.

Despite being ranked at No. 6 in the world. Kerber has appeared in just five Grand Slam quarter-finals during her career and has not made it to a semi-final in nearly four years (Wimbledon 2012).

Key stats from Kerber`s fourth round match:

- First serve success: 56%

- Points won on first serve: 56%

- Points won on second serve: 50%

- Net points won: 82%

- Unforced errors: 20

- Returns won: 64%

- Break points won: 7 out of 13

Azarenka back to her best

Victoria Azarenka is in brilliant form, having started the year with a perfect record of nine wins from nine matches. In this tournament, she arrives at the quarter-final stage, having dropped just 11 games in four matches (2.75 per match).

In the fourth round, the World No. 16 cruised to a 6-2 6-4 win over Czech opponent Barbora Strycova by committing just 14 unforced errors and bagging 83% of her first service points.

Azarenka appears to playing some of her best tennis in years, and she has never been beaten by her German opponent.

Key stats from Azarenka`s fourth round match:

- First serve success: 76%

- Points won on first serve: 83%

- Points won on second serve: 38%

- Net points won: 60%

- Unforced errors: 14

- Returns won: 44%

- Break points won: 2 out of 7

Betting odds and tips

Kerber`s best chance of beating Azarenka will be by attacking her second serve and dominating the net play. If she can achieve this, then she may have a chance. However, in the last round, Azarenka landed nearly eight out 10 of her first serves and won 86% of her first service points. Those statistics are good enough to beat anyone.

Victoria Azarenka 2-0 can be backed at 8/11 with Unibet or 888Sport

By Neil Morris

Published on: 26/01/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (26/01/2016 13:19:55) but are subject to change.