Posted on
10/12/2007 8:39:55 PM
WTA Tennis Betting: Kremlin Cup Semifinal Picks Safina vs. Dementieva
By Nila Amerova
Moscow, Russia – The second semifinal match on the women’s side at the Kremlin Cup is an all-Russian Affair. With three Russian’s in the final four, a Russian finalist is a certainty. Which unseeded Russian will advance into the Kremlin Cup final? BetUS Sportsbook is taking action on the Kremlin Cup. Check out the tennis odds with BetUS and start making money betting on tennis!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Singles - Quarterfinals
Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 7-6(4) 6-2
Dinara Safina (RUS) d. Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
Tennis Line: Dinara Safina +150 Elena Dementieva -200
Match Time: 05:00 AM EST
Tennis Prediction: On paper, the unseeded Russian pair stack up pretty evenly. No. 17 Dinara Safina arrives with 41/19 record for the season, which includes one WTA title, and No.14 Elena Dementieva brings a 38/17 record for the season, which also includes one WTA title.
In terms of technique, both offer contrasting styles. Safina’s game is typical of the power-players prevalent on the WTA tour today. Whereas, Dementieva’s game is reminiscent of Martina Hingis – a strategic on-court thinker, Dementieva prefers precision and placement over power in her shot making. Of course, either style can win matches, but which will dominate in this semifinal match?
As home court advantage is cancelled out, surface is the only other advantage that can factor in this match. Safina started the 2007 season with a victory at the Mondial Australian Women's Hardcourt Championships in Gold Coast Australia. After her great start, Safina managed to penetrate deep into several tournaments. Her semifinal appearance in Moscow marks her fourth semifinal appearance this year.
In comparison, Dementieva favors clay surfaces, but transitions her game well onto other surfaces. Dementieva’s seized her lone WTA title in Istanbul (clay). Dementieva appears also in her fourth semifinal this year.
Recommending Safina’s +150 underdog odds is a solid hard court game. Moreover, having upset the defending champion Ana Chakvetadze in the second round, Safina appears to be well poised for another upset in the semifinal. She has the talent, the arsenal of shots to overpower Dementieva. However, one of the biggest weaknesses in Safina’s game is her mental focus. Often prone to berating herself in a one-sided monologue, to win this match, Safina will have to try and not get in the way of herself. Otherwise, she will hand over the victory to Dementieva.
Favored by the odds makers at -200, Dementieva’s stalwart game and focus would make her a good play. A strategic player, her only recourse would be to outwit rather than out muscle Safina on the court.
Betting on Safina and Dementieva holds value for different reasons. However, Ana Chakvetadze, an even better strategic thinker and chess-like player on court, found herself overpowered by Safina, suggesting that perhaps the same fate awaits Dementieva.
Tennis Free Pick: Safina in straight sets.
Tennis Free Pick – Kuznetsova to win in straight sets.
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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.