Australian Open preview and odds: Angelique Kerber vs Johanna Konta

Published on: 27/01/2016

January 28, 2016 from 13:30pm - Rod Laver Arena

Australian Open - Semi-finals

Angelique Kerber eased past an in-form Victoria Azarenka in straight sets to set up a semi-final clash against surprise package Johanna Konta in the Australian Open.

Kerber powers into semis

Angelique Kerber`s powerful return game helped her to secure an impressive 6-3 7-5 victory over former Aussie Open champion Victoria Azarenka. Her clinical finishing against the serve proved to be this difference as she drew a string of mistakes from her opponent.

The German will now face the tricky challenge of facing a player who is not used to playing in the sharp end of tournaments. Her first serve and net play have remained her weakest areas during the tournament and the World No. 6 will need to improve those aspects of her game if she is going to go all the way.

Key stats from Kerber`s fourth round match:

- First serve success: 64%

- Points won on first serve: 58%

- Points won on second serve: 56%

- Net points won: 55%

- Unforced errors: 13

- Returns won: 51%

- Break points won: 6 out of 13

Can Konta go all the way?

Not content with beating Venus Williams in Round 1, Johanna Konta has now made it all the way to the Australian Open semi-finals at the first attempt, just a year after breaking into the worlds top 100.

In the quarter-finals, she looked totally dominant as she waltzed to a 6-4 6-1 victory over China`s Shuai Zhang. She will now pitch her solid service game against one of the tournaments top returners, Angelique Kerber.

Key stats from Konta`s fourth round match:

- First serve success: 53%

- Points won on first serve: 79%

- Points won on second serve: 38%

- Net points won: 89%

- Unforced errors: 22

- Returns won: 57%

- Break points won: 6 out of 9

Betting odds and tips

The British player serves and returns well, is strong at the net and is highly clinical when it comes to crucial points. Kerber will need to find another level is she is to beat the Brit based on current form.

Konta can be backed at 5/2 with Bet365

By Neil Morris

Published on: 27/01/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (27/01/2016 18:25:12) but are subject to change.