US Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 10 September 2010 /

Ben Caudell is excited about tonight's semi-finals in New York. But who does our man expect to make it through?

We are in for a real treat tonight, a stellar evening of women's tennis, with the pedigree of this year's US Open semi-final line-up as good as it gets.

The top three seeds have won through for the first time since 2006 and are joined by the 2010 Wimbledon finalist and seventh seed Vera Zvonareva. With Caroline Wozniacki last year's runner-up gunning for another shot at her maiden Grand Slam title and Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams both looking to record their third US Open crowns, the final four match-ups are both evenly poised.

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) v Vera Zvonareva (RUS)

The head-to-head series is tied at 2-2 with all four matches being played within the last two years. Wozniacki was successful in their most recent meeting a 6-3 6-2 win in Montreal and from the three matches played on the hard courts the young Dane has recorded two wins.

Wozniacki is on an outstanding run of 14 consecutive match wins having triumphed in Montreal and New Haven in the run-up to Flushing Meadows. You would be forgiven for thinking the 20-year-old was tiring at her most crucial time of the year but this doesn't appear to be the case, with Wozniacki looking remarkably fresh. Having dropped a near record breaking low of only 17 games in five matches (Serena Williams dropped 14 by this stage on her way to the title in 2002) it is understandable that she comes into tonight's match as favourite.

Zvonareva has similar form. She reached the final of Wimbledon and her recent record on the hard reads 9-1. The 26-year-old is hoping to reach the semi-finals for the first time at the US Open and, like Wozniacki, she's still to lose a set at this year's event.

This match will be about who deals with the windy conditions best. Each player is matched evenly stroke for stroke so there will undoubtedly be a few breaks of serve. I believe Wozniacki will win this match in straight sets, although the +4.5 Game handicap for Zvonareva looks to be a rather big price.

Selection: Back Wozniacki 2-0 @ [1.83]
Back Zvonareva @ [1.95] +4.5 Games

Venus Williams (USA) v Kim Clijsters (BEL)

Of the four semi-finalists, reigning champion Kim Clijsters is the only player to have dropped a set at this year's US Open. She faces Venus Williams for the 13th time and, with their head-to-head series poised at six wins apiece, tonight's match continues their fierce a rivalry.

The Belgian stalwart beat Venus 6-2 6-1 in Miami earlier this year and at last year's US Open 6-0 0-6 6-4. The average amount of games played between the pair is 21.6 from 11 of their past meetings so there is value in backing over 21.5 games at [1.85].

This match is a tough one to call. We have to consider the recurring knee problem that is causing the American pain during her matches and the fact that she has struggled against Clijsters in their most recent head-to-heads. My money will be on the Belgian to win a close fought battle that could possibly go to three sets. A repeat of last year's final? I believe so.

Selection: Back Kim Clijsters @ [1.53] to win match
Back Over 21.5 Games @ [1.85]

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