Australian Open Daily Tips: Women's greats set for epic battle

Australian Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 19 January 2010 /

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"Dementieva goes into this match confident that she can compete against Henin, even though she trails 2-5 in head-to-heads."

Justine Henin has returned to the tour revitalised, refreshed and somewhere near her best. But her Russian opponent in the second round of the Australian Open will provide a serious test, says Ben Caudell.

Elena Dementieva (RUS) v Justine Henin (BEL)
Two of the worlds tennis greats and favourites to win this year's Australian Open meet on the Rod Laver Arena court in an intriguing second round match-up that is a must to see. The odds on whoever wins will shorten considerably in the tournament winner market.

Justine Henin has come out of retirement looking refreshed and relishing the prospect of another few years on the WTA circuit. Witnessing her compatriot Kim Clijsters do the same midway through the 2009 season, winning the U.S Open, surely inspired Henin to return in the knowledge that she is still capable of triumphing in another Grand Slam. On her way to reaching the final of the Brisbane Open, which she lost to Clijsters in a thrilling three set epic, she recorded straight sets wins over Nadia Petrova and Ana Ivanovic.

Henin is almost back to her best but It is important to note that she withdrew from the Medibank International after her defeat to Kim Clijsters; she had suffered from a left gluteal strain that apparently was threatening her participation at the Australian Open.

This really is a tough match to call. Dementieva often performs at her very best at the start of the season, Last year the Russian went into the Australian Open on the back of two tournament wins, Auckland and Sydney. She reached the semi-finals in Melbourne, losing to eventual winner Serena Williams in straight sets. This year, she retained her Sydney title in scintillating fashion in a high class field, including a win over Serena. She will go into this match confident that she can compete against Henin, even though she trails 2-5 in head-to-heads.

Selection: Back Elena Dementieva @ [1.9] to win match
Back Dementieva 2-1 @ [4.5] (small bet)

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