davio

Women’s Australian Open 2013.

The first slam of the year rolls into Melbourne and many pretty and not so pretty ladies are eyeing lifting the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

With Williams and the world No. 1 Azarenka on the same side of the draw, one needs to focus their attention on the opposite side to find a bit of value and I think have just done that. Step Forward Li Na.

In the last three years her form reads R16 / RU / Semi Finalist. In those years she lost agaisnt Kim Clijsters twice and Serena Williams. She should have really won the final in 2011 but didn’t take the chances when presented.

Sitting at number six in the world she has missed the two big hitters and should have an easy enough passage to the latter rounds where she should meet Kerber and most probably Sharapova.

If she does play Kerber then she will go into that match with confidence having beaten her in their last four encounters on Hard and boasts an impressive 6-1 record against her German opponent.

This is where it gets tough. Should the seeding’s go to plan then it’s a semi-final match against Sharapova. Her record against her on Hard isn’t great (1-6) but what we do have on our side is that Maria is coming into this match with no warm up matches after pulling out of the Brisbane International citing a collarbone injury. Any weakness will be punished by her previous competitors and more importantly by Na herself.

Currently trading at 22/1 (and that's falling fast) to take the title that to me is a massive price. Back her e/w and should she get to the final we have a 11/1 pay-out before she even starts.

Li Na to win the Women’s Australian Open @ 22/1

Runner up