WTA Finals Red Group: Halep and Sharapova battle it out

However, it is the Russian, who defeated Radwanska 4-6 6-3 6-4, that has been dominant in their head-to-heads, having won all five including three times on hard courts.

Each of the last four meetings have all come close, the previous three in three sets, so back Sharapova to triumph 2-1 again at a tempting 3/1 price.

Halep is a good shout to claim the first set, though, having done so in two of those matches, so is odds-on at 8/11 to do so again. Former WTA Finals champion Sharapova (in 2004) also lost the opener against Radwanska before winning.

Agnieszka Radwanska v Flavia Pennetta

In the second battle of the day, which takes place first, two-time semi-finalist of this event Radwanska takes on surprise US Open champion Pennetta, who will retire after this tournament.

The Pole is the heavy odds-on favourite at 3/10 due to her determined showing against Sharapova and her overall 5-3 head-to-head record over the Italian veteran (5/2).

Each of their last six meetings have been one-sided affairs, with Radwanska winning four of them, including a 6-1 6-1 victory this year. She is a more temping 5/6 shout to triumph 2-0 again.

For better odds in her favour, back the Polish number one to whitewash Pennetta in the opening set 6-0 at 12/1, like Halep did too on day one.

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Coral’s top tip: Sharapova leads Halep 5-0 in head-to-heads, but most have been close battles, so back the Russian at 3/1 to win 2-1