Take Sharapova in Straight Sets Over Li tonight

[MagicDiceFlow]

I believe Pova's current form is enough to straight set the chinese diva today. Even though Li has controlled Pova during the 2009 to 2011 years, Pova has regained her dominant form the last two years over Li. I've watched every single match these two have played at the Aussie's and even though Li's win over Radwanska was definitely impressive, I would be hard pressed to see her repeat that performance again today. She may have exhausted all her mental fortitude in that match.

It took a near perfect match by Li with minimal forced errors to beat Radwanska. It will take an even better match to take a set from Pova in her current form. Li's power game has the ability to beat a defensive player like Radwanska. However, when matched up against another power player with more accuracy, Li will start spraying the courts with unforced errors or hit into the net with repetitiveness. Pova will lure Li into a crosscourt power battle. I don't believe Li can outlast more than several shots against the russian lioness in this battle. Li may keep it close with the games but I don't see her taking a set today against Pova.

Take Sharapova -1.5 sets ......its a solid bet.

[suicidekings]

Agreed. Li has really been depending on her ability to put the ball back in her opponent's court and hoping for them to make errors, but Masha won't make many. She actually looked awful in the first set of her last game, but was fortunate that Radwanska played even worse. Not a bad price on the line either.

[Catchn_Picks]

2-0 it is

[MagicDiceFlow]

^^^^^^^^^Yep agreed, the price is right and much better value than the moneyline.

[MagicDiceFlow]

Agreed. Li has really been depending on her ability to put the ball back in her opponent's court and hoping for them to make errors, but Masha won't make many. She actually looked awful in the first set of her last game, but was fortunate that Radwanska played even worse. Not a bad price on the line either.

Correct .....Li looked bad that first set against Radwanska but Rad kept letting her back into break points. Li was struggling with her first serves as well. She'll have major problems tonight if the first serves arent floating in. Masha is a beast on crushing second serves.

[Ontnr]

I've actually made this bet earlier today, but now I think I might regret it. Li Na steps up her game in grand slams and rarely lose by two sets to love (in grand slams). Sharapova still has double fault issues, even if she has improved somewha in that regard.. This is the first match that will be more than a warm up for Sharapova, and I wouldn't be surprised if we see the nutcase version of pova if the first serve percentage dips..

Li Na has played plenty of competitive tennis this year already. She's really been in great form, reaching finals and winning, and she has upped her game even more so in AO compared to her perfomances in the warmup tournies.

What counts for is Sharapova's outstanding form, and the fact that she has control. She can outpower and outplace Li Na, and if she doesn't get one of her not so unusual dips in performance during the game (as most players on WTA, except Serena), she will roll.

[Tmuston Beltics]

great start for the under

[suicidekings]

Masha is getting raped by the net so far...

[yisman]

I'm hoping for over 2.5 sets


edit: just realized I have Li 2nd set and Li -1.5 sets so it doesn't matter

[suicidekings]

Li's looking great today. It really hurts Sharapova that Li was able to build some early confidence.

[Coopertrooper]

Sharapova seems to be struggling upstairs, starting with 2 double faults... she obviously has doubts over herself. I jumped on 2-0 having seen a few of her matches this tournament, but she looks like a shell of that player here.

[suicidekings]

She REALLY needs to be pursuing those shots down the line. Li is killing her every time.

[MagicDiceFlow]

Pova killed herself with all those unforced errors. She's moving terribly today. Like the heat is annoying her.

I guess Russia is a cold place....lol....oh well.

[Tmuston Beltics]

Wtf , 6-2 first set Li. The only way my bet hits is if Li wins in straight set. Don't think she will but let's go Li!

[Coopertrooper]

And goneski.

What the hell was that... I can't see myself jumping on the Sharapova bandwagon again, she is far too fragile in the heat. Soft as butter.

[face]

shit. li's gonna win the whole thing. look at her. new coach, no errors, more power. i put futures on pova and azarenka.

[Catchn_Picks]

Na is playing really well too...unfortunately...winning all the volleys it seems

[w@lt]

Like the heat is annoying her.

I guess Russia is a cold place....lol....oh well.

She lives in Florida...

[face]

1st serve is hard to watch. she is done

[Tmuston Beltics]

What the heck just happened! 6-2 6-2 Li! Didn't think she could own Shara so badly. Well, u20 hits!

[ttwarrior1]

your forgetting about those new chinese herbs that can't be detected

[face]

li went to boot camp with a new hardass coach and got better.

[suicidekings]

Li looked like a champ today. No doubt she can contend with either Azarenko or Stephens and win the whole thing. Definitely not the finish anyone envisioned...

[MUHerd37]

I just woke up so I didn't get to see any of the match. Surprised to see Sharapova to get whipped like that.