2018 Australian Open Betting Analysis: Halep vs. Wozniacki (Women’s Final)

It has been, as always, a wonderful two weeks of tennis in Melbourne, but the first Grand Slam event of the year will come to a close this weekend. Both finals are now set, and the women’s final is one that the people who seed these tournaments got right. The feeling was that the race for the crown might be a wide-open one this year given that Serena Williams was not taking part, but what we are getting is the #1 seed versus the #2, as the 2018 Australian Open odds favorite Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki will go head to head for the title in the very early hours of Saturday morning. There is a lot going on in this one besides getting the name on the trophy, as a win here would be the first major title for both women. Yes, they have both won a lot of tournaments and money in their careers, but to this point, neither has won a Grand Slam event. The world #1 ranking is also at stake in this match. Halep is at the top of the heap right now, but Wozniacki would leapfrog here with the win, so all to play for in this one.

2018 Australian Open Betting Analysis: Halep vs. Wozniacki (Women’s Final)

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This is the first time in the Open Era that a Slam final has featured two players who have both saved match points en route. The last @WTA tournament final to involve players who had both saved match point en route was when, where and with who? #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/kRMU2FSMxv — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) 26 de enero de 2018

• When: Saturday, January 27 at 3:30 AM EST
• Where: Melbourne Park, Australia
• TV: ESPN
• 2018 Australian Open Betting Odds: Simona Halep -145 (Moneyline)

Why bet on Simona Halep?

• Age: 26 years
• Turned pro: 2006
• Height: 168 cm
• Weight: 60 kg
• Playing hand: Right-handed
• Prize money: $20,912,291 USD

Halep has had a wonderful career to this point, winning 16 singles titles and pocketing over $20 million in prize money, but it’s a Grand Slam win that would truly put her on the map. Halep has shown some real grit and determination in this event, playing on an ankle that is a good deal less than 100%, whilst also finding ways to win when the chips were down. She has had a pair of epic battles at the 2018 Australian Open, needing 3 sets to beat Lauren Davis in the 3rd round, with the final set in that on finishing 15-13, and then going 3 sets in the semi-final against Angelique Kerber, winning the final set 9-7. She has played a lot of tennis at this tournament, and with the wobbly ankle, you need to wonder just how much she has left in the tank. Halep has lost each of her last 3 matches against Wozniacki, but the bookies have her in as the favorite for this one.

Why bet on Caroline Wozniacki?

• Age: 27 years
• Turned pro: 2005
• Height: 178 cm
• Weight: 63 kg
• Playing hand: Right-handed
• Prize money: $26,856,094 USD

The path that these two women have taken to the final has been somewhat similar, and it will, in fact, be the first time in the Australian Open that the two finalists have had to fight off a match point earlier in the tournament. Wozniacki looked to be on her way out in the second round, as she was down 5-1 in the final set against Jana Fett, but she bounced back, battling off two match points in the process, and the rest now is history. Wozniacki has also made a habit of winning during her career, winning 27 singles titles and close to $27 million, but like her opponent here, it is a career that will be a little hollow if she cannot find a way to add a Grand Slam title to those numbers. Caroline has won 3 in a row against Halep, but on the hard court, they are tied 2-2.

Australian Open Women’s Final Prediction

Wozniacki has a 4-2 edge in career wins over Halep, including winning all 3 of their most recent meetings. I like her to spring the mild upset at the 2018 Australian Open betting odds to win this one, too, as I think Halep may be out of gas, as well as being a little banged up.

Last 10 Champs

• 2017: Serena Williams
• 2016: Angelique Kerber
• 2015: Serena Williams
• 2014: Li Na
• 2013: Victoria Azarenka
• 2012: Victoria Azarenka
• 2011: Kim Clijsters
• 2010: Serena Williams
• 2009: Serena Williams
• 2008: Maria Sharapova