Australian Open Daily Tips: Zvonareva to end Gisela's beautiful run

Australian Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 22 January 2010 / 1

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Gisela Dulko will be in high spirits after knocking out Ana Ivanovic but Vera Zvonareva should prove too strong for her

"Zvonareva reached the semi finals of last year’s Australian Open and will fancy her chances this year. With a potential quarterfinal match against Serena Williams on the horizon, the Russian will want to make light work of her opponent tonight."

Ben Caudell tells us why Ana Ivanovic's conqueror Gisela Dulko is likely to crash out to Vera Zvonareva tonight, plus the best bet from the men's draw....

Nicolas Almagro (ESP) v Alejandro Falla (COL)

The inspired Columbian has been nothing short of sensational at this year's Australian Open.

Falla has admitted that his impeccable tennis has been flawless in every way, his serve, and especially return games have been so dominant he is still to lose a set. Nicolas Almagro on the other hand has scraped through two five set battles against lower ranked players, Xavier Malisse and Benjamin Becker. There are still questions hanging over the Spaniard's fitness and injury to his right hand. However, two five set victories suggest that this has not affected his all round game as of yet.

Tonight's match is the first between the pair, Almagro is still to make it past the third round of a Grand Slam event since his quarter final showing at the 2008 French Open. This is Fallas' best career showing at any Grand Slam and he seems to be peaking at the right time. The Columbian will be by far the fresher of the two, Almagro is 1-6 in 3rd round Grand Slam matches and most importantly, is 2-8 against lefthanders.

I believe there is definitely value in backing the Columbian purely because he will have the energy resources to get him through this match, Almagro surely can't win another close fought battle and if his right hand plays up, we could witness an early retirement.....

Selection: Back Alejandro Falla @ [2.42] to win match.

Vera Zvonareva (RUS) v Gisela Dulko (ARG) -

Zvonareva looks to be back to her very best after convincing wins over Iveta Benesova and Kristina Kucova in the previous rounds dropping a total of five games with just one break of serve. From what I have seen so far, the Russian looks extremely lively and determined to fulfil her true potential after an indifferent few months.

Zvonareva retired against Elena Vesnina in Sydney when the match was poised at 3-3 in the first, she self destructed in Moscow against Tsvetlana Pironkova, Marion Bartoli in Beijing and most notably against Flavia Pennetta at last year's US Open. Dulko will look for ways to disrupt Zvonareva and her frail mental strength as much as possible; The Argentinean will be in high spirits having already dismantled the number 20 seed, Ana Ivanovic, in three sets.

Zvonareva reached the semi finals of last year's Australian Open and will fancy her chances this year. With a potential quarterfinal match against Serena Williams on the horizon, the Russian will want to make light work of her opponent tonight.

Selection:

Back Vera Zvonareva @ [1.32] to win match
Back Zvonareva 2-0 @ [1.9]

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Portuguese Pirate | 22 January 2010

I'm with you on Falla but wouldn't be rushing to back a notoriously mentally fragile Zvonareva at 1.3. Surely the value lies with backing Dulko with a view to trading.