Novak Djokovic vs. Stanislas Wawrinka – 2015 Australian Open Men’s Semifinals – Prediction and Betting Preview – January 29, 2015

Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka’s bid for back-to-back titles remains right on track after dismantling Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals of the 2015 Australian Open. A familiar foe awaits him, though, in the next round as standing in his way in the semifinals is four-time champion Novak Djokovic who’s desperate to avenge his five-set defeat to Wawrinka a year ago.

Can Djokovic reassert his dominance over the Swiss star? Or will Wawrinka stun the world no. 1 for the second year running? Read on for a complete preview of this semifinal clash and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the other men’s semifinal between Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych here.
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Novak Djokovic vs. Stanislas Wawrinka Betting Preview

Where: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

When: Thursday, January 29

Line: Novak Djokovic vs. Stanislas Wawrinka – view all Australian Open lines

Betting on Novak Djokovic

Top seed Novak Djokovic continued his strong play in this year’s Australian Open, cruising past the big-serving Milos Raonic in straight sets to reach his 25th Grand Slam semifinal. Djokovic needed just one hour and 55 minutes to defeat the Canadian star, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-2.

[sc:Other240banner ]It was another dominant display from the world number one who has yet to lose a set in this year’s tournament. Key to his success so far has been his phenomenal serve which he has used to devastating effect the past five matches. During that stretch, Djokovic has been broken only once in 73 service games.

His improved serve was there for all to see in his clash with Raonic as Djokovic did not face a single break point the entire match. Djokovic explained his success in an interview afterwards saying, “I know I can’t serve as fast as Milos, but I’m trying to use the angles, the accuracy, align myself to have some free points with that serve.”

He will need every bit of that advantage in the semifinals where he will face the defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka. The two have played epic five-setters each of the two previous years in Melbourne with Djokovic winning 12-10 in a marathon fifth set in the fourth round in 2013 before Wawrinka avenged that loss with a victory in the quarterfinals last year.

Djokovic will be buoyed by the fact that he holds the edge in their head-to-head matchup. Djokovic is 17-3 in 20 career meetings with Wawrinka. They have met each other four times in a grand slam tournament before with the world number one holding a 3-1 advantage.

Djokovic is 9-1 in his last 10 matches.

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Betting on Stanislas Wawrinka

Stanislas Wawrinka took a huge step in defending his Australian Open crown beating Kei Nishikori in straight sets in the quarterfinals Tuesday night. Wawrinka defeated the world no. 5 Nishikori, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (6), in a match that lasted just two hours and four minutes.

It was a satisfying victory for Wawrinka who somewhat avenged his five-set loss to Nishikori in last year’s US Open quarterfinals. What helped the Swiss star last night was his serve which gave the Japanese star fits the entire match. Wawrinka won 86 percent of his first serve points and clinched the match with his 20th ace.

Wawrinka is 12th in the aces department in this tournament, hitting a total of 54. He needs his serve to be on target once again this coming Thursday as he’s about to face the four-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

This will be their first meeting since their thrilling five-set clash in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open a year ago. Wawrinka ended the three-year reign of Djokovic, beating the Serbian 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 9-7 in a match that lasted exactly four hours. The fifth set alone lasted an hour and 20 minutes.

That victory snapped Wawrinka’s 14-game losing streak against Djokovic that stretched back to 2006. If he is to win again this coming Thursday, Wawrinka needs to do a much better job of converting his break point opportunities.

In his match against Nishikori, Wawrinka managed to convert just 3 of 11 break chances. With Djokovic serving at a high level in this tournament, break chances in their upcoming semifinal will be few and far between.

Wawrinka will take heart, however, in the fact that he has returned quite well so far in this event. He has won 105 first serve receiving points, good for fourth in this year’s Australian Open. He has found success as well with his second serve return, grabbing a total of 101 points in this department, the fifth-best mark this year.

Wawrinka is 7-3 in his last 10 matches.

Writer’s Prediction

Djokovic edges past Wawrinka in five epic sets.
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