Most are looking at this match as though it were a total coin toss.

Serena Williams will meet Justine Henin in the women's final of the 2010 Australian Open on Saturday (Friday night in North America at about 3:30am ET).  The odds are very tight in this match as both players clearly possess what it takes to win a Grand Slam final.
 
Many sportsbooks have both players at identical odds of -110 (10/11; Stan James, for example) but if you are backing Henin then go to bet365 for a price of EVEN odds.

If you are backing Williams, go to Coral for a price of -110 (10/11).

This match is significant for reasons that extend beyond the 2010 Australian Open.  While Serena Williams will remain the world number 1 after this match, the result will go a long way in swaying popular opinion. 

Just as Williams was considered to be the best player in the world, even while Dinara Safina held the top spot during much of 2009, should Henin defeat Williams in the final, she too, Henin, may be considered the world's best player again in the minds of tennis fans and analysts.

Williams and Henin have gone head to head numerous times, often in big matches.  While Williams only holds a slim 7-6 lead in the series very importantly, Williams is 4-1 on hard court against Henin.

The only match she won against Williams on hard court was at the 2007 US Open in the tournament's quarterfinals.  The result of the match was 7-6, 6-1.

But let's look at the scores in the four matches that Serena has won vs Henin on hard courts over the years:

Miami 2008 Quarterfinal: 6-2, 6-0.
Miami 2007 Final: 0-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Sanex Championships 2001: 6-3, 7-6.
US Open 2001, 4th round: 7-5, 6-0.

The matches on hard court have typically not been very competitive at all.
Not only has Williams dominated their head to head series on that surface, but Williams has won nearly all of the sets played as well. 

At the Australian Open this year, neither player has really surged into the final from start to finish.  Williams had difficult matches in the late part of the Australian Open draw, while Henin had difficult matches during the middle parts of the draw.

The hang up with pounding Williams' line is that she has seemed a little off in the last couple rounds.  She has seemed frustrated on the court, she has displayed negative body language, and she just hasn't been on her best form - even as she has advanced.

However, putting on moderate bet on her to win this match is our recommendation as Henin hasn't cruised through all of her matches either and it's Williams' over all game that has been better on hard court over the years.

Henin, after all, is most proficient on the clay courts.

Go to Coral to bet on Australian Open tennis.

You can watch Australian Open tennis live for free on bet365. To watch, simply follow these 3 simple steps:
 
1. Go to bet365 and sign-up or register (it's free)
2. Click on Sports > Live Streaming > Tennis
3. Watch Australian Open tennis for free