Any thoughts on who will win the match (May 11, 2012)?
• Li is ranked #8. Azarenka is #1. • Li is 30 years old. Azarenka is 22. • Li is 172 cm tall. Azarenka is 183 cm. • Li won the French Open (clay) in 2011 and is probably preparing to defend that title. Azarenka won the Australian Open (hardcourt) in 2012 and is probably best on that surface? • Li was recently beaten by Kerber (world #19), Sharapova (#2) and Radwanska (#4). Azarenka was recently beaten by Bartoli (#7) and Sharapova (#2). • When Azarenka lost the final of her previous tournament (Stuttgart Open) to Sharapova, there was talk of Azarenka having a wrist injury. • Both Li and Azarenka has played three matches each in the current tournament (Madrid Open). Neither one has lost a set. Azarenka has however had two tie-break sets (vs #28 Kuznetsova and #117 Hlavackova).
Personally I have bet on Azarenka at odds around 1.5 since I think she is basically the better player of the two. But might Li have a surprise win if she can play aggressively without too many unforced errors?