Johanna Konta vs Victoria Azarenka Odds & Betting Preview: WTA Western & Southern Open Semifinals

• Johanna Konta and Victoria Azarenka have made it look easy so far, neither dropping a single set
• That narrative is going to change when the two collide on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 27)
• Keep reading to see odds and picks for the Western & Southern Open semifinal

For months, fans have been forced to watch outdated matches as COVID-19 pressed pause on the tennis landscape. The virus may still be alive and well, but so is live tennis.

The Western & Southern Open moves on to the semi-finals with an interesting matchup between Johanna Konta and Victoria Azarenka on one side of the bracket.

Both women have cruised to the semifinals, winning each match in straight sets. Oddsmakers believe that will come to an end for Azarenka on Thursday, establishing Konta as a heavy favorite. Should she be?

Johanna Konta vs Victoria Azarenka Odds

Odds as of August 26th

No One Has Stood a Chance Against Johanna Konta So Far

Forget about beating Johanna Konta. At this point, can someone give her a competitive matchup? So far, the answer to that question is an emphatic no.

Another idiosyncrasy of the live hawkeye.#CInCyTENNIS pic.twitter.com/LDS3NoSTF5

— Ashish 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) August 25, 2020

After dispatching Kirsten Flipkens 6-2, 6-0 in round one, Konta’s second-round meeting against Vera Zvonareva turned into another mismatch quickly. The world #15 broke her opponent on three separate occasions and didn’t come close to losing her own serve.

Next up was #13 seed Maria Sakkari. Fresh off a win over Serena Williams, many were expecting Sakkari to move on to the semis. However, she fell woefully short in a straight-set defeat (6-4, 6-3). The score actually flatters Sakkari; Konta generated 12 break-point chances to Sakkari’s two. She also more than tripled Sakkari in return points won (36-11).

The term “cake walk” doesn’t seem to do enough justice for the run Konta has been on. But while she has been dominating her quarter, her semi-final opponent has been doing the exact same.

Victoria Azarenka Is Looking Young Again

Once upon a time, Victoria Azarenka was the number-one player in the world and took home two Australian Open championships (2012, 2013). But that’s easy to forget because her glory days were close to a decade ago.

It's a second set comeback for @vika7!

She defeats Cornet 6-4, 7-5 #CInCyTENNIS pic.twitter.com/xh67WdAdlU

— wta (@WTA) August 25, 2020

It feels a bit premature to say that the 31-year-old is on her way back up the ladder, but if her run during the Western & Southern Open is any indication, she may very well be.

Azarenka upset #15 seed Donna Vekic in round one (6-2, 6-3) and sent Caroline Garcia packing in round two (6-2, 7-6(4)).

Alize Cornet put up a sterner test in round three and found success early, but came up painfully short in straight sets (6-4, 7-5).

Next up for the former world #1 was Ons Jabeur. After a close first set that could have gone in either direction, Azarenka laid a beating on her opponent in the second (7-6(9), 6-2).

How They Matchup?

Having a history to look back on makes it easier when deciding who will win their fourth head to head matchup. But when you consider just how close their contests have been in the past, choosing a winner becomes an arduous task.

Konta vs Azarenka Stats

Konta has all of the tools in the world to pull out the victory, but Azarenka has something special going on right now.

The way she has been discarded over the years is surprising considering she is only 31 years of age. Her current form is giving us flashbacks of her old, dominant self. At +155, I will take her to win in a close three-setter.

Pick: Victoria Azarenka (+155); over 21.5 (-115)