STAR PREVIEW: Lucie Safarova v Ana Ivanovic

[dropcap]’T[/dropcap]omorrow is another day’ is a well known expression from the mists of time and despite Ana Ivanovic doing this column a favour when beating Elina Svitolina in the quarter finals at Roland Garros I want to be against her in the semi-finals in favour of Lucie Safarova.

Both players came through their respective quarter finals in straight sets but there were still signs with Ivanovic that she can quickly come off the rails if things start going against her. Perhaps it’s a confidence thing, but given she won the title seven years ago that shouldn’t really be a factor and this is the first time she has progressed past the fourth round since that win.

Lucie Safarova from the Czech Republic beat Garbine Muguruza 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 in the quarter finals having previously knocked out Maria Sharapova.

Safarova has beaten the Serbian Ivanovic five times in their last six meetings but it was Ivanovic who won their most recent match-up in Tokyo last year.

However, it’s also a repeat of the third round last year which saw Safarova win 6-3 6-3.

Ivanovic said of her opponent: “She’s a great player, she’s showed that many times. Last year I had a two set loss to her. It’s going to be tough matchup for me, so I really want to focus. She’s obviously a lefty, she gets lots of balls back, she’s very heavy, very aggressive.”

In the other semi-final Serena Williams is long odds-on to get the better of 23rd seed Timea Bacsinszky but the bet for me is Safarova at around 4/5 with Star Sports to beat Ivanovic.

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-50 points)

BACK SAFAROVA for 15 points at around 4/5 with Star Sports

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