WTA Betting: Back Lisicki to upset the odds against Jankovic

Will Lisicki make the final?

We've now reached the semi-finals stage at Indian Wells, and Abelson Info are back to provide their picks on who will contest the final this weekend...

It's been business as usual for world number one Serena Williams thus far, as the American has coped with all the off-court emotion of returning to Indian Wells and has made it through to the last four.

The American ace has dropped just one set along the way in what was her only difficult task against compatriot Sloane Stephens. However, despite dropping the first set and coming under pressure, she fought back and stormed to victory as champions do.

The second quarter of the draw has stuck to the script too with third seed Simona Halep emerging from the field to set up another clash with Williams.

It hasn't been quite as straight-forward for the Romanian who has had to come through three matches that have gone the distance, and she won't be given the luxury of getting away with a slow start or a dip in intensity on Friday.

Nevertheless, it is testament to her determination that she has managed to come through those difficult moments, and so now she will look to defeat the top seed for only the second time in her career.

The pair have met on five previous occasions with Williams leading the head-to-head record 4-1. However, she won't have forgotten their last meeting, with Halep destroying her at the WTA Finals in Singapore last year.

That was undoubtedly a one-off, and Halep will certainly not be expecting it to be as easy again this time round. In the three meetings prior to that, Williams comfortably won each time and there is an expectancy that she will do so again.

The match odds favour the dominant American and so it is worth taking a closer look at the set and games market. We believe that Williams will come through in straight sets, but we are more confident that Halep will make a fist of it and this won't be a walk in the park.

In the bottom half of the draw, it was some story for Sabine Lisicki on Thursday night as she saved three match points against defending champion Flavia Pennetta to secure her place in the semi-finals.

In a gruelling thriller that lasted nearly three hours, Lisicki prevailed and when she's on her game she is usually capable of turning that into a deep tournament run regardless of her form going into it.

She trails her next opponent, Jelena Jankovic, 4-1 in their head-to-head, and although the Serbian star is enjoying a revival, her German foe should have enough power and form behind her to get her through.

Jankovic may have fitness on her side after Lesia Tsurenko was forced to retire early in their quarter-final, but we're backing Lisicki to book her place in the final.

Recommended Bets
Back over 20.5 Games in Williams vs Halep @ 1.981/1
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