Australian Open 2010: Maria Kirilenko vs Zheng Jie Betting Odds: Two unseeded players will meet in the Australian Open 2010 Betting Odds’ quarterfinals live from Rod Laver Arena as Russia’s Maria Kirilenko [EVEN] takes on sports betting odds favorite Zheng Jie [-130 ML] of China. These women are set to begin their match at around 8:30 PM ET and all the Australian Open 2010 action can be seen on ESPN-2.
For Kirilenko, a win would probably be the best gift she can receive on the day she turns 23-years-old. The young Russian has already surpassed her best Grand Slam finish, which was the fourth round right here, Down Under in 2008.
“I'm first time actually in the quarterfinal. Yeah, I'm happy about it,” Kirilenko told reporters after world No.2 Dinara Safina was forced to retire while trailing 4-5 in the opening set. “But I prefer, you know, to win and get ‑‑ like to win all match and get to the quarterfinal than to win like this.”
Her opponent is also a stranger to high-level of competition in Grand Slams. Zheng has made it to the quarterfinals also for the first time in her Grand Slam career. Her situation is especially unique because for the first time in history we have two Chinese players reach the final 8 in a Grand Slam.
“I hope we can be in the semifinals for both Chinese player,” Zheng said. “Now is in the quarterfinal. You don’t know which one have the chance. I think everybody have the big chance in the semifinal.”
The 26-year-old Zheng made it to the quarterfinals by defeating Ukrainian, Alona Bondarenko in straight sets: 7-5, 6-4. “I think Australia is lucky for me because I win the first Grand Slam doubles title in Australia,” she stated after the win. “So I'm so ‑ how do you say ‑ happy I in quarterfinal of Australia also. But I think we can go the far way because you can see Li Na in the fourth round.”
