US Open Women's Betting: A test too far for Peng against Wozniacki

Will Wozniacki waltz into her second US Open final?

We're down to the final four at the US Open 2014 and Abelson Info pick out their value bets and predict who will contest the last Grand Slam final of the year...

While a number of top seeds have faltered around her, it has been business as usual for two-time defending champion Serena Williams.

The world number one has coasted through the tournament without dropping a single set thus far and, after experiencing real disappointment across the majors this year, she is clearly determined to end on a high note.

It's been a relatively straight forward path for the American, although she did have a tricky test on her hands against 11th seed Flavia Pennetta last time out. However, as she so often does, she dismissed her challenge with minimal fuss to march on.

However, she isn't going to take her next opponent lightly either, with Ekaterina Makarova enjoying the tournament of her life. The Russian has never been to the semi-finals of a Grand Slam before, but she undoubtedly deserves her place here after defeating both Eugenie Bouchard and Victoria Azarenka.

She will also take great confidence from the fact that she has beaten Williams at a major before, back in the Round of 16 at the 2012 Australian Open.

However, whether or not that works to her advantage remains to be seen as is it something that Williams is unlikely to have forgotten and she will be eyeing a spot of revenge. 

Nevertheless, the top seed leads their head-to-head record, 3-1, winning in straight sets at this venue two years ago as well as in Doha on this surface earlier this year.

For all the magic that Makarova has produced over this past week-and-a-half, this is likely the end of her journey. It would be unwise to rule out her chances completely, but if Williams is locked in, then it is difficult for anyone to compete with her.

In the bottom half of the draw, a resurgent Caroline Wozniacki is on fire in New York and has been since Wimbledon. The Dane has won 18 of 21 matches since leaving London, picking up a 22nd WTA title in Istanbul en route and has now reached her first Grand Slam semi-final since 2011.

As a result, she will be highly fancied to now push on and make the final, but standing in her way is Shuai Peng, who like Makarova, is having a remarkable time of it in the Big Apple.

Radwanska, Vinci, Safarova and Bencic have all fallen against the Chinese ace who has carried the weight of the nation on her shoulders in Li Na's absence. She hasn't disappointed so far, but it looks a tough ask to progress further.

Wozniacki leads 5-1 in their head-to-head record, winning the last five consecutive meetings, albeit the last was a retirement. 

If there is to be an upset on Friday, then it is arguably more likely to come in this match. However, we envisage that all roads lead to a Williams-Wozniacki final, which promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2014 US Open.

Recommended Bets:
Back Under 19.5 Games in Williams-Makarova @ 1.855/6
Back Wozniacki to beat Peng 2-0 @ 1.875/6