Australian Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 23 January 2011 /

Andy Murray faces his toughest test to date whilst the exciting young prospect that is Petra Kvitova goes up against WTA stalwart Flavia Pennetta. Who's our money on?

Jurgen Melzer (AUT) v Andy Murray (GBR)

Last year's Australian Open losing finalist Andy Murray faces his toughest opponent so far of this campaign.

Jurgen Melzer, a player who in 2010 recorded his best-ever career performances, is by no means a pushover when it comes to playing top 10 world ranked players. The left handed Austrian all-rounder is 5-5 against the very best; last year he defeated the likes of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Marin Cilic.

The Austrian, who seems to be peaking at the ripe old age of 29 is 8-2 in Grand Slams; last year he reached the semi-finals of the French Open, the fourth round of Wimbledon and the fourth round of the US Open. With the victory over Marcos Baghdatis, the 11th ranked Melzer will crack the top 10 for the first time in his up and down career and will relish the chance to avenge his Australian Open 2009 straight sets defeat at the hands of Murray.

The fact that the Scot has never lost to Jurgen Melzer - he leads the head-to-head series 4-0- will give Murray an overwhelming amount of confidence when these two meet for the fifth time in the early hours of Monday morning. Therefore it is understandable to see why Murray is so short at [1.15] in the match odds to make it through to the quarter finals for only the second time in Melbourne.

I am unable to see past a win for Murray here, he is playing as good I have seen him play in a long time and looks as determined as ever to record his first maiden Grand Slam win. The Brit has unbelievably good statistics coming into this match; he has won five in a row when priced as a heavy favourite, eight in row on hard courts, nine of the last ten at the Australian Open, and four of his last five against left-handers. Although Murray has barely broken sweat and is yet to drop a set from his first three matches, he will be aware of the threat that Melzer poses and will give deserved respect to his opponent. With the price being far too short to place a back bet on the fiery Scott, my suggestion is to back over on the total games and lay Murray to win in straight sets. He'll win but it won't be as straightforward as many would think.

Recommended bets:

Back Over 33.5 Games @ [1.9]
Lay Murray 3-0 [2.0]

Petra Kvitova (CZE) v Flavia Pennetta (ITA)

Touted by many as a potential major threat, 20 year-old Petra Kivitova has the world at her feet and the confidence to go all the way at this year's Australian Open, having dispatched of home favourite Samantha Stosur in the previous round in straight sets (7-6 6-3).

Having reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon 2010, where the Czech youngster lost to Serena Williams, the left-hander has since reached her highest singles ranking of her career at 28 in the world and will be looking to go even higher once she has finished here in Melbourne.

Kvitova has started the year with a bang; she has won eight of her last nine matches in Australia, with a WTA title already underneath her belt, The Brisbane Open, where she defeated Andrea Petkovic, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Dominika Cibulkova and Nadia Petrova. Although she has a losing head-to-head series against today's opponent Flavia Pennetta (2-1), she did manage to win their most recent match in straight sets at the Beijing Premier event in October last year.

With Pennetta having lost five of her last six matches when priced as an underdog and playing with a taped upper leg and ankle, Kvitova in two sets will be the value bet for me.

Recommended Bets:

Back Petra Kvitova @ [1.65]
Back Kvitova 2-0 @ [2.54]

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: