Posted on 2/22/2008 7:31:10 PM

Tennis Betting - Qatar Total Open Semi-Final Picks- Sharapova vs. Radwanska

By Nila Amerova

Doha, Qatar – After causing the biggest upset at the 2007 US Open—trouncing its defending champion, Maria Sharapova, in the third round—Agnieska Radwanska of Poland earned another shot at the Russian when both of them won their quarter-final contests to set up a blockbuster semi-final matchup at the Qatar Total Open. Can Agnieska Radwanska achieve what no one has been able to do this year, hand the Russian, who enters the semi-final round with a flawless record, her first defeat in tournament play? BetUS is taking action on the Qatar Total Open, so don’t miss this opportunity to bet on one of the best matchups of the tournament.

Tennis Betting Line: Maria Sharapova vs. Agnieska Radwanksa

Match Time: 04:00 AM Eastern Time, February 23, 2008

Tennis Prediction: World No.5 Maria Sharapova improved to 12-0 for the season when she defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-0, 6-1 in the quarter-final today. Sharapova needed little more than an hour to dismiss the talented Dane, Wozniacki, who had defeated eighth seed Marion Bartoli in the second round – the player slotted to meet Sharapova in the quarter-finals when the draw was made.

Next up for Sharapova is the fast-rising Pole, Agnieska Radwanska, who picked up her first WTA of the season in Pattaya, earlier this month. Sharapova and Radwanska are level at 1-1 in head-to-heads, both meetings came in 2007; Sharapova posted the 6-2 3-6 6-0 victory in Istanbul (clay) and Radwanska levelled their record with the shock upset at the US Open 6-4 1-6 6-2.

Radwanska enters this matchup with a 13/2 record for the season, which includes a first round exit at Hobart, a quarter-final run at the 2008 Australian Open and her title victory in Pattaya.  In only her fourth tournament of the year, Radwanska prepares to contest her second semi-final match for a place in Sunday’s final. (Neither player has lost a semi-final match this year.)

Sharapova kicked off her year by winning the 2008 Australian Open in fine style. Sharapova has been the dominant player on the WTA circuit by a mile and has yet to unravel against an opponent on court.  

Radwanska has the game to beat Sharapova and the advantage of knowing she can beat the Russian— albeit she secured her victory when Sharapova was nowhere near the form she is in now. 

Now both players are in-form—a more level playing field, and as such, promise to deliver an intriguing match. However, there is no doubt Sharapova is the player to beat. Unlike most players, Sharapova’s loss at the US Open to Radwanska will be a huge catalyst, spurring her on to victory—not the distraction that it can be for many.  In terms of focus, Sharapova’s single-minded determination alone can propel her to victory – no better example comes to mind than her victory over Justine Henin at the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Federer might be winning everything except clay these days, but with online sports betting in the BetUS.com Sportsbook, betting on tennis has never been so exciting! Join the BetUS.com online sportsbook today and start using the latest tennis lines, odds and props to earn cold, hard cash!

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