Australian Open Men's Semifinal Betting Preview: How to attack Djokovic vs. Zverev and Shelton vs. Sinner

Iga Swiatek is a -1200 favorite in her quarterfinal meeting with Coco Gauff, so we’re not looking to play anything in that matchup. But a clash between Beatriz Haddad Maia and Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals is worth betting.

Haddad Maia just passed one of the most difficult tests in the tournament, as she beat Sara Sorribes Tormo in a three-hour, 51-minute marathon. Sorribes Tormo is only the 132nd-ranked player in the world, but she’s also one of the best defensive players in the women’s game. The fact that Haddad Maia was able to get by her on these slow courts is truly impressive. Now, I think she’ll find her match against Jabeur to be a little easier by comparison, which is why I’m backing the Brazilian to win at least one set.

Jabeur is one of the best clay-court players in the world, but she hasn’t quite found her form to this point in the tournament. Sure, her straight-set win over Bernarda Pera was impressive, but it’s hard to overlook that Jabeur’s winning percentage is down from last year. Her hold percentage is also way down from each of the past three years, and she now has to take on a tough lefty on clay. Jabeur is just 14-11 against left-handed players in her WTA career, which isn’t good when you consider how great she has been against everybody else.

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The power and depth that Haddad Maia gets on her shots could frustrate Jabeur a bit.

These two did play an indoor clay match in April, when Jabeur earned a 6-3, 6-0 win over Haddad Maia. But these slower, grittier conditions should favor a player that can defend and counterpunch the way Haddad Maia does. I also think the power and depth that Haddad Maia gets on her shots could frustrate Jabeur a bit.

It’s also hard to ignore the fact that Haddad Maia is 12-4 on clay over the last 52 weeks. She has been playing some great tennis, and I expect her to respond to her last loss to Jabeur by putting up a serious fight here. And it wouldn’t be surprising if the crowd gets behind Haddad Maia—she can be a very difficult player to beat when that happens. We have seen her playing at a high level when she has her adrenaline flowing before.

Bet: Haddad Maia To Win A Set (-115)

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