WTA Finals Red Group: Sharapova plays Pennetta in final fixture

In four of the five meetings between these two, the lady that taken the opening set has gone on to win the match. As in the outright betting on their latest battle (2/7), Sharapova is odds-on to get her nose in front (4/11), but there’s a tempting wager at 2/1 for Pennetta to pinch a lead.

A turnaround could be on the cards, because as good as Pennetta has been on hard surfaces this season, she didn’t have to tackle Sharapova en route to that shock US Open triumph. The Russian edging a three-set contest is also worth a bet at 11/4.

Simona Halep v Agnieszka Radwanska

In six previous hard court head-to-heads, it’s three wins apiece between these two, but Halep has a WTA Finals victory in straight sets from last year over the Pole on her side. That’s enough to make the Romanian racket star odds-on at 4/7 for victory again and 6/4 by the same margin.

Radwanska, an 11/8 match outsider here, props up this pool in last place, so it’s win or bust for the 2014 semi-finalist. With just a single set to her name during the Red Group, she is staring down the barrel of defeat.

Handy Halep is expected to make a big splash in WTA world number one Serena Williams’ absence, and should show a response here to Sharapova besting her last time out.

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Coral’s top tip: Take that 6/4 price on Halep handling Radwanska in straight sets.