Australian Open women’s singles semis: Konta collides with Kerber

Losing a first round first set tiebreak apart, this tournament has been plain sailing for Kerber, and her higher ranking means she starts as odds-on 1/3 match favourite to end Konta’s sensational run.

To highlight her achievement, no British woman has made a Grand Slam semi since 1984 and it was 1977 when Sue Barker graced the final four in Melbourne.

Konta has claimed scalps en route to the business end of this tournament, most notably WTA number eights past and present in Ekaterina Makarova and Venus Williams, so going to the well one more time cannot be ruled out.

At 2/1 to reach the 2016 final, Konta is not without merit. Kerber has matched her best-ever Grand Slam displays at the 2011 US Open and Wimbledon the following year.

Konta is a nifty 9/2 price to come through in three sets, while her seeded opponent is an 11/4 alternative to record a 2-1 victory in their first-ever encounter.

Williams to roll over Radwanska

If history is any indicator, then Serena is facing a very straightforward semi against Poland’s top tennis pro Radwanska, who has only beaten her during the Hopman Cup team event.

The head-to-head record in WTA World Tour and Grand Slam matches is 8-0 to Williams, so it’s no wonder she starts as an overwhelming odds-on 1/7 match favourite.

All of the last five meetings have been on hard surfaces and Serena has routed Radwanska in straight sets every time. It is thus very difficult to see any other outcome, with Williams better value at 4/9 to win 2-0.

Radwanska has rarely been troubled en route to this semi-final fixture, but is a considerable 9/2 outsider to contest Grand Slam glory. The best the Pole can hope for is to win a set, and it’s 2/1 that the total number played is over 2.5.

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Coral’s top tip: Patriotic punters have been rewarded by siding with Konta, so stick with her and take a tasty 2/1 on her reaching the Australian Open final.