Australian Open Daily Tips: Rising star kubot is a threat to Djokovic

Australian Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 24 January 2010 /

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"Kubot is on the verge of breaking into the higher echelons’ of the world rankings and he definitely poses a threat to Djokovic."

The former-champion has beaten his Polish opponent twice before but Lukasz Kubot is one of the games rising stars, says Ben Caudell, and he could pose a signifcant threat to the Serb.

Novak Djokovic (SRB) v Lukasz Kubot (POL)
Both players have had pretty straight forward matches in the lead-up to this fourth round tie. The Polish number one fortunately received a walk over against Mikhail Youzhny of Russia without playing a single point so he will be well rested. Djokovic has also had an easy route into the fourth round defeating Denis Istomin comfortably in straight sets 6-1 6-1 6-2.

The 2008 champion, who is known to dislike the heat here, will be thankful that tomorrow's weather forecast reaches a high of only 21 degrees. Having already defeated Kubot on two previous occasions, Djokovic will be confident that he can outplay and outclass one of the up and coming talents on the men's circuit.

Kubot is on the verge of breaking into the higher echelons' of the world rankings, currently ranked 86 and with wins over Andy Roddick, Philipp Kohlschrieber and Ivo Karlovic to name just a few. He poses a threat to the Serb.

If Kubot serves as well as he has done in the first two rounds, winning 68% and 74% of first serves, there is no doubt that each set will go to the wire. There is definitely value in backing Kubot at the odds on offer and trading out at later point in the match. Odds of [22.0] on the Polish player, complements Djokovic a little too much.

Selection: Lay Djokovic 3-0 @ [1.46]
Back over 31.5 Games @ [1.9]
Back Lukasz Kubot @ [22.0] to win match with the intention of trading out

Vera Zvonareva (RUS) v Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
The last match in today's schedule see's Zvonareva of Russia play Azarenka of Belarus for the chance of a quarter-final show-down with Serana Williams, result permitting. I find it strange that Azarenka is the favourite to win this match and believe there is value in backing Zvonareva from the off at [2.50]. The Russian has a 4-0 head-to-head lead over her opponent, all in straight sets, and she is in scintillating form, having recorded impressive wins over Gisela Dulko, Iveta Benesova and Kristina Kucova without losing a set.

Selection: Back Vera Zvonareva @ [2.50] to Win Match

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