Betfair Official Blog

ASB Classic betting

Three-time Grand Slam winner Lindsay Davenport is certain to see her odds snaffled up when betting on the ASB Classic 2008, starting on December 31, swings into action.

The former world number one landed the bets in September on her return to the circuit when she beat Daniella Hantuchova in Bali to claim her first singles title since 2005.

The California native fell short at the semi-finals stage against Jelena Jankovic in Beijing next time out in a tight betting contest - but rewarded punters who had bet on her to bounce back when she beat Julia Vakulenko in Quebec City to claim her 53rd career singles title.

The ASB Classic has not been won by an American since Meilen Tu in 2001 so Davenport could be a strong bet to take the $145,000 prize.

Jelena Jankovic edged out Vera Zvonareva 7-6(9) 5-7 6-3 in a dramatic final last year to condemn the Russian to her second ASB Classic final defeat and this is likely to be reflected in the Serbian's odds in 2008.

Jankovic's victory in Auckland was one of four singles titles she won in 2007 and she will again feature in the betting when the markets develop, while Zvonareva, who upset the odds to beat world number one and defending champion Maria Sharapova at the Pacific Life Open in March, could be a sound bet to make it third time lucky in New Zealand.

French poster princess Camille Pin reached the semi-finals last year and her odds are also likely to be short in what should be a tight contest.