Australian Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 28 January 2009 /

Will 'A-Rod's' A-game be enough to get him past the Swiss master? Can Dementieva topple Superpower Serena? Ben Caudell picks the best bets from the first round of semi-finals...

As temperatures soared, Fernando Verdasco was ice cool and composed on his way to his first Grand Slam semi-final.

The Spaniard outplayed Jo Wilfred Tsonga 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 and his superb victory meant that we won on both bets, backing Verdasco to win the match at [2.85] and to win the handicap Verdasco +3.5 Games at [1.96].

Verdasco will now meet fellow countryman Rafael Nadal in what could be the match of the tournament. We are not sure yet whether this will be a day or night match, expect there to be plenty of fireworks whatever time they play.

Today's Selections

Andy Roddick v Roger Federer:

Roger Federer leads the head-to-heads 17-3 with the majority of wins on hard court. The last time these two met, Andy Roddick won in a close fought three sets, hitting 17 aces compared to Federer's measly seven.

Roddick relies heavily on his service game and often struggles if he is broken. However, out of the last 11 matches they have played against each other, Roger Federer has hit 121 aces compared to Andy Roddick's 102, also the last six head-to-heads have seen the Swiss master hit more aces than the Roddick on three occasions, they have tied two, and Roddick, as already pointed out, hit more it their most recent match.

I can see this match becoming a battle of the serve and therefore believe that there will be at least one tie break. The last nine matches have seen six tie breaks being played so this market will be worth a small bet.

Selection:

Lay Andy Roddick to hit the most aces @ [1.6]
Back 'Tie Break Played?' @ [1.8]

Elena Dementieva v Serena Williams

Elena Dementieva happened to be many punters choice to win the Australian Open due to her faultless start to the 2009. She is yet lose a match this year and has won her last three matches against the super powerful Serena Williams. With the heat expected to reach 43 degrees tomorrow, Serena Williams will struggle like she did against Svetlana Kuznetsova unless they close the roof again.

Selection: Back Elena Dementieva @ 1.85 to win match

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