Australian Open Women's Betting: Cibulkova eyeing route back to final

Cibulkova to power past Cornet...

The main contenders are emerging from the field as we approach the second week in Melbourne and Abelson Info wrap up the third round matches...

In the bottom half of the draw, Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard remain on a collision course while Simona Halep quietly goes about her business in a favourable-looking quarter.

However, attention switches back to the top half on Saturday as world number one Serena Williams returns to the court to lead a whole host of star names who are in action.

Williams has been in good form so far having breezed through in straight sets in the opening two rounds, and so she has avoided any danger of an early exit which has plagued her at times at the Grand Slams in recent years.

Next up is Elina Svitolina, and although the Ukrainian youngster has rocketed up to No.26 in the world rankings despite still being just 20, it's a tough ask for her to take on the heavy-hitting style of her American opponent.

As a result, Williams will be confident of making it through without too many scares which could set up a dangerous-looking fourth round clash against Garbine Muguruza.

The Spaniard is a rising star on the WTA tour and stunned Williams at the French Open last year. Having defeated her next opponent Timea Bacsinszky in their only previous meeting, she will be relishing the opportunity to test her wits against the world number one again.

Back Muguruza to come through in straights against her Swiss opponent as she continues to establish herself on the tour and add consistency to her game.

In contrast, Petra Kvitova faces a tricky third round tie with Madison Keys and although she is the strong favourite, the American starlet can be a threat on her day.

The pair have met just once before with the Czech ace sealing a straight sets win in 2013, and the last thing Keys needs after a three-set battle last time out is fatigue to potentially set in as she chases down Kvitova's power shots. 

Kvitova will hope to come through in style and the games market certainly looks to hold the value in this encounter.

Elsewhere, Dominika Cibulkova also returns to the court as she prepares to face feisty French star Alize Cornet.

Cornet tends to make life difficult for herself as evidenced in her last match, and she has already stated that she will need to be at her best, for the whole contest, if she is to topple her rival.

What is notable is that Cibulkova has won all three of their previous meetings and so Cornet clearly has a problem matching up with her even though all three matches have been tightly contested.

The Slovakian has vastly improved since and is of course looking to make the final in Melbourne for the second year in a row. Back the world number 10 to come through but it won't be easy.

Recommended Bets:
Back Cibulkova -3.5 Games vs Cornet @ 1.9210/11
Back Under 20.5 Games in Kvitova vs Keys @ 1.8810/11
Back Muguruza to beat Bacsinszky 2-0 @ 2.26/5

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