Posted on 1/23/2008 7:41:22 PM

Australian Open Semifinal Picks: Jankovic vs. Sharapova

By Nila Amerova

Melbourne, Australia – In the first semifinal matchup scheduled on the women’s side, a single-minded Maria Sharapova prepares to meet Serbian tennis star Jelena Jankovic. As the bookies second short odds favourite (to win the Australian Open title) priced at +450 before the start of the tournament, betting on Maria Sharapova opened at -450 on the money line. Since then, the price tag on Maria Sharapova moved on the line, going up to a whopping -650 price tag! It would appear that tennis bettor’s unanimously believe Sharapova will sweep aside the Serbian threat. So, what do you think? Bet on the Australian Open with BetUS Sportsbook.

Match Time: 7PM Eastern Time Wednesday, 23 January 2008.

Tennis Betting Line:

Maria Sharapova -4½ -130 -650 Over 20½ -120

Jelena Jankovic +4½ -110 +375 Under 20½ -120

To win first set Odds:

Maria Sharapova (1st Set) -400 Over 9½ -130

Jelena Jankovic (1st Set) +250 Under 9½ -110

Tennis Prediction: Is this matchup really as cut-and-dry as betting patterns would seem to indicate? If you have been watching Maria Sharapova in action at all during the course of the Australian Open then the answer would be so obvious to you – a resounding yes.

From the get-go, Sharapova waltzed into the Australian Open to the beat of battle drums. Since her opening match, Sharapova has not dropped a set and in her last three matches, she crushed opponents 6-0 in the second set (d. Vesnina 6-3, 6-0; d. Dementieva 6-2, 6-0 and d. Henin 6-4, 6-0).

En route to her fourth straight semifinal at the Australian Open, Sharapova’s all-court game has been the most remarked upon, firing from all angles, Sharapova has hardly missed a beat. Her timing has been near-perfect, her serves sensational – with no sign of last year’s nagging shoulder injury – and her groundstroke’s and net game have displayed marked improvement, reminiscent of her previous two victorious Grand Slam title runs at Wimbledon and the US Open.

Jelena Jankovic, who has struggled and scrapped through the tournament, will be hard-pressed to halt the advance of a very determined Sharapova. This is not to say that Jankovic does not have the game to beat Sharapova. She does! On paper, Jankovic trails 3-1 against Sharapova, earning her first victory over the Russian in Birmingham last year, a match that saw Jankovic battle-back from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 7-5. In 2007, Jankovic arguably had to be one of the most outstanding players on the tour, posting some incredible numbers and stats.

It is by no accident Jankovic is the semifinal; the result of consistent hard work and determination brings her to this level. She definitely deserves to be in the final four. However, against Serena Williams in the quarterfinals, despite valiantly playing for the win, Jankovic was visibly not in her best form, receiving medical attention in the second set. Going against Jankovic in this matchup is the question whether she is fit enough to withstand Sharapova’s onslaught, for mark my words – Sharapova will come out firing, for Sharapova is in form and in mind to win the Australian Open title.

Tennis Free Pick: Sharapova in straight sets.

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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.