China Open Women's Betting: Ivanovic and Kvitova on a collision course

Ivanovic is set to prevail against Sharapova...

It's been an eventful week in Beijing and Abelson Info take a closer look at the final four hoping to win the China Open 2014...

World number one Serena Williams is out, and the elite eight for the WTA Championships in Singapore is set. But before that we look forward to the semi-finals in Beijing.

Similarly to the Wuhan Open, Williams' body failed her again this week as she was forced to withdraw from the tournament with a knee injury. While she was left frustrated, the remaining quartet will be reinvigorated as they edge closer to premier event success.

Williams will now have to wait to clinch the year-ending No.1 world ranking, but she has done enough to confirm her spot in Singapore where she will be joined by Halep, Radwanska, Wozniacki, Kvitova, Sharapova, Bouchard and Ivanovic.

Three of those stars are still in contention in Beijing, with Petra Kvitova looking in great form in particular after going 7-0 since the US Open. The Czech star triumphed in Wuhan last week, and she also has added incentive in that if she wins this title, she will move back up to world number two.

However, standing in her way on Saturday will be Sam Stosur, with the Australian yet to drop a single set in the tournament. What makes her feat even more impressive is the list of defeated rivals which includes Schiavone, Wozniacki and Cornet ahead of a walkover due to Williams' injury.

This encounter promises to be a thriller given that both ladies come into it in great form, although Kvitova is a strong favourite to prevail. The 24-year-old leads their head-to-head record 6-1, and perhaps the defining factor in this match-up is that she has won all five contests on this surface.

Given that she seemingly has the beating of her rival, coupled with the fact that she is on a roll and is targeting that world no.2 spot, Kvitova has her eyes on the prize and will look to get Stosur out of there in straight sets.

If that isn't enough entertainment, then the second semi-final should be even better as Sharapova takes on Ivanovic. The Russian star may lead her rival 8-4 in their head-to-head, but fans will need no reminding of their classic encounter in Cincinnati back in August.

That was the Serbian ace's second consecutive win over Sharapova to follow up her victory in Rome earlier this year, and so she will undoubtedly be full of confidence ahead of the encounter.

Ivanovic will be further buoyed by the fact that she will be heading to Singapore later this year, but like Kvitova, Sharapova also has the carrot dangling in front of her as a tournament win would move her up to second in the world rankings behind Williams.

Neither Sharapova nor Ivanovic has dropped a set so far this week but something must give on Saturday, and as the value is with the world number nine - back her to keep her run against her rival going.

Recommended Bets:
Back Kvitova to beat Stosur 2-0 @ 1.824/5
Back Ivanovic to beat Sharapova @ 2.588/5