WTA Coupe Rogers 2014 Betting: Lisicki to continue to upset the odds

Lisicki is returning to form...

After the loss of some big names, Abelson Info preview the third round in Montreal which will produce some intriguing match-ups...

World number one Serena Williams looked in imperious form last time out as she brushed aside the challenge of Sam Stosur whilst dropping just two games.

The American star has seen her tournament odds shorten as a result, and although there have already been some surprises over the past three days, Williams will be confident of her chances against Lucie Safarova on Thursday having won all six of their previous meetings.

However, elder sibling Venus Williams is likely to have a tough night's work, with Angelique Kerber arguably producing the second most impressive display of the second round with her straight sets win over Caroline Garcia. 

Serena and Kerber are of course the in-form pair heading to Canada after reaching the final in Stanford, and it doesn't appear as though fatigue will be a factor just yet.

As a result, the German will fancy her chances of progressing as she also has the edge over her rival in their head-to-head record, leading 3-1 although their last meeting was back in 2012 with Kerber winning in three sets at the US Open.

Williams has found some form in recent times, and we envisage this to be a competitive match even though the veteran is an outside bet to pull off a victory.

Elsewhere, Maria Sharapova faces Carla Suarez Navarro after eventually getting past Garbine Muguruza, while 2012 champion Petra Kvitova faces Ekaterina Makarova with both top seeds expected to advance.

The same could also be said of Caroline Wozniacki, but after her opponent already ended the dream of Eugenie Bouchard, the Dane will know not to take the threat of Shelby Rogers lightly as she looks to secure some much-needed success in the build-up to the US Open.

Meanwhile, after her exceptional three-set win over Dominika Cibulkova last time out, Heather Watson will be full of confidence moving forward as she prepares to take on Victoria Azarenka.

The Brit has a woeful record against the Belarusian, losing all three of their previous meetings and barely making an impression in any after winning a total five games.

However, circumstances would suggest that this meeting has the makings of being different, but it is difficult to see Watson producing another upset, and the odds of the battling youngster surrendering to another straight sets loss are appealing if you believe history will repeat itself.
In perhaps the most intriguing match of the third round, Sabine Lisicki will be looking to continue to upset the odds as she faces Agnieszka Radwanska.

Neither player has had the most memorable of years thus far, but Lisicki is potentially putting her fitness woes behind her as she looks to add some much needed consistency to her game particularly on this surface where she has generally struggled.

The German ace edges her rival 2-1 in their head-to-head record, and given her favourable odds, it may be worth investing in her to come through another difficult test.

Recommended Bets

Back Lisicki to beat Radwanska @ 2.3411/8
Back Azarenka to beat Watson 2-0 @ 2.0421/20