Australian Open Women's Betting: Keys to spoil Williams reunion party

Can Madison Keys put and to Venus' resurgence?

The semi-finals are taking shape in Melbourne and Abelson Info believe that only one of the Williams sisters will make the last four...

It has been 'Vintage Venus' this past week in Australia as the former world number one has turned back the clock to produce some impressive performances.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion is back in her first Grand Slam quarter-final since 2010 and she is excited at the prospect of taking on her sister in the next round.

However, standing in her way is an emerging threat from the USA and Madison Keys is thoroughly enjoying her break-out tournament as she eyes her place in the final four.

The 19-year-old has already beaten the likes of Barthel, Kvitova and surprise star Brengle, and while this will likely be her toughest match of the tournament so far, she has the tools to prevail.

Venus is certainly playing some great tennis this week, but Keys appears to have added consistency to her game to go with her frightening power as she ripped off 38 winners last time out.

The teenager has stepped up her game and is playing some of her best tennis, and although Williams has experience on her side, there is a danger that she won't be able to cope with Keys' power shots given that her movement is not what it was once was.

Williams has also looked vulnerable at times despite the success she has enjoyed in this tournament, and we expect Keys to jump on the first chance she gets to dominate rallies and take the match to her opponent.

The pair have met once before and although Williams won in straight sets on that occasion, little can be taken from it given that it was almost two years ago and played on clay.

Back Keys to upset the odds and defeat Williams as she has shown she can deal with the nerves and continue to be the break-out star of the tournament.

With Ekaterina Makarova and Maria Sharapova contesting the first semi-final later this week, it remains to be seen if world number one Serena Williams will still be around to stay on a collision course with her Russian rival.

Williams has been troubled in the last two rounds with both Svitolina and Muguruza taking sets off her, but as all champions do, she showed a will to win to overcome those difficulties.

However, she will have her hands full again on Wednesday as Dominika Cibulkova continues her march towards an immediate return to the final of the Australian Open.

The Slovakian star finally ended Azarenka's tournament last time out, and she's had a really tricky route to the quarters after beating the likes of Hantuchova and Cornet too.

History does not favour her though with Williams winning all four of their previous meetings, and it does look as though it will take something special to deny the American.

Don't write Cibulkova off completely, but it is difficult to back her with any real enthusiasm given that it is Serena on the other side of the net.

Recommended Bets
Back Keys to beat V Williams @ 2.285/4
Back Cibulkova +5.5 Games vs S Williams @ 1.9720/21

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