Australian Open Women’s Betting Preview

Step over Serena – Muguruza great value to become Australian Open champion

Outright pick: Garbine Muguruza – 14/1

Serena Williams was just two matches away from a historic Golden Slam last season. Defeat against Roberta Vinci, left the American heart broken, and this year’s Australian Open draw wide open.

Williams has not played since the loss four months ago, and will travel to Melbourne vastly undercooked. Last season’s surprise package Garbine Muguruza, can capitalise on Serena’s frailties and capture her first Grand Slam title.

Garbine wowed the tennis world last season with sensational attacking tennis, and backed this up with clinical results.

The 22 year old, climbed to number 3 in the world, by winning Beijing, reaching the Wimbledon final and going deep in the WTA Tour finals. The Spaniard will head to Australia as the form player after winning 10 of her last 12 matches at the backend of last season.

Muguruza has previously beaten all of the current top 8 players in the world and looks exceptional value at 14/1 to lift her first Grand Slam title.

Next best bet: Simona Halep – 10/1

Simona Halep continues to float under the radar ahead of this year’s Australian Open, but the 5 ft 5 Romanian remains one of the toughest players to beat.

Simona’s ranking of world number two has been built on her strong performances on hard courts. Last season, only Serena Williams could boast a better winning percentage on the surface, and this was by the finest margins.

Halep has made back-to-back Aussie Open quarter finals, and she may be able to go even closer this year if she doesn’t have to face arch-rival Serena.

Long shot: Caroline Wozniacki – 40/1

Caroline Wozniacki has never won a Grand Slam but deserves far more respect than her quote of 40/1. The five time Masters champion has proven year on year that she can compete with the best, and now may be her time to prove she can claim major glory.

Having already reached the quarter and semi finals of Australia in recent years, the former world number one knows how to reach the latter stages of the tournament. If she can repeat this feat again then her price of 40/1 will plummet. Click here to get free bets on the Australian Open. Make sure you also check out our preview of the Men’s Australian Open.