WTA Aegon Classic – Sharapova and Wozniak in Action

Birmingham, England – The WTA Aegon Classic is already in full swing and enters the second round on Wednesday. It is a relatively lesser field that has assembled in Birmingham than might have been initially expected but after the upset-riddled French Open, it is not so surprising that many of the big names decided to take a bit of a rest this week.

The slightly weaker-field did not deter Maria Sharapova from entering the event. Sharapova is coming off an impressive quarterfinal appearance at the French Open – and this after less than a month of full-time tournament play under her belt that consisted of all of three matches (???) at the Warsaw Open. Plenty to be happy about in the Sharapova camp methinks. Her shoulder looks to be on the mend and her fighting spirit and determination to win hardly affected by her nine-month long absence from the WTA Circuit.

Sharapova, whose ranking has slipped but is still a solid favourite in the eyes of many, is one of several players tennis bettors should spot in Birmingham this week, the warm-up tournament for Wimbledon.

Tennis Betting Line: Maria Sharapova -1800 Alexa Glatch +750

Match Time: 06:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday June 10 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: Sharapova entered the French Open ranked beyond the top 100 but in reaching the quarterfinals in Paris, she legged it up the ranks to No.73 this week. She is 6-2 on the season after two tournaments; both of which saw her reach the quarterfinal round. This is the first-ever career meeting between Maria Sharapova and Alexa Glatch. The American Glatch ranks No.106 in the world and coasts under the radar in the lower circuits. She will be hard-pressed to beat Sharapova.

Tennis Free Picks: Sharapova in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Yanina Wickmayer -140 Kaia Kanepi Ev

Match Time: 06:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday June 10 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: It will be the third career meeting between No.24 Kaia Kanepi of Estonia and No.61 Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium. Kanepi holds the comfortable 2-0 edge over Wickmayer, having beaten the 19-year-old Belgium twice last year on hard courts. In spite of the edge, Kanepi enters at Evens. She has not had the best of years, evinced by her 15-12 mark on the season. Meanwhile, Wickmayer has been moving from strength to strength this season. She won the title in Estoril along with another title and two runner-up finishes on the lower circuit. She is a player to watch and if she continues on her good run of form, she might do rather well in Birmingham.

Tennis Free Picks: Wickmayer in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Aleksandra Wozniak -150 Olga Govortsova +110

Match Time: 06:00 A.M. Eastern Time Wednesday June 10 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak is coming off a great French Open performance – by her standards and recent Canadian player’s standards. Her ranking has improved to No.23 but she is only 12-12 on the season. Wozniak bids for a third round spot against Belarusian Olga Govortsova. Govortsova is ranked No.85 in the world and she brings a lowly 8-13 mark. It will be the first career meeting between Wozniak and Govortsova. Going on current form Wozniak is the better play.

Tennis Free Picks: Wozniak in three sets