Punters’ Wimbledon guide – Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka is already at a crossroads in her young career. There has been a batch of new Major winners, in recent years, and these players have the opportunity to capitalise and become multiple Slam winners, or fade away with a solitary big one on their CV.

Between 1991 and 2007, there were four single Slam champions. There are currently six such players on the WTA tour and, of this group, Azarenka is the player most likely to leave it.

Strong on all surfaces and with a rounded game that now contains finesse, as well as power, the Belarusian has all the attributes to become a major force in this transitional era.

She is currently a 9/1 pick in the online betting at Bet Victor, making her the fourth favourite, behind Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Petra Kvitova.

A lot has been made of Azarenka’s suspect temperament and fitness record, but her achievements in the early part of this year have gone a long way to remove these question marks. She blew Maria Sharapova away, in losing just three games in the Australian Open final, and went on to build a 26-match winning streak that demands respect.

That form obviously trailed off, but the winning of three other titles alongside Melbourne (including two Premier Mandatory events) has put plenty of confidence in the bank. She was not herself in the clay court season, but the move to grass should revitalise her, with confidence high after her run to the last four in 2011.

Azarenka’s semi-final contest against Petra Kvitova showed the fourth seed at her best and worst. Perhaps affected by early nerves, she made too many unforced errors and frustration appeared to be at the familiar boiling point. However, she rallied in the second set and forced a decider, proving that this was indeed a new Azarenka; this version can certainly go all the way, this year.

Wimbledon gamblers get great odds with Bet Victor.