Serena and Venus Williams return to tennis’ premier competition to face Maria Sharapova and Li Na as Wimbledon favourites. The All-England event serves-up first round tennis action on Monday, with Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Arazenka and Vera Zvonareva all in action. For the best WTA betting odds, bet now with Pinnacle Sports.


WTA Betting – Which Williams Will Win Wimbledon?

Most players could never come back from a year out and win the world’s biggest tennis event. Most players, however, are not Serena Williams (6.000*). The four-time Wimbledon and reigning champion has only played two professional games this year, but is already a top favourite for the competition.

Despite her prolonged absence, the 7th seed (and World No. 26) was surprisingly successful in her return matches in Eastbourne last week. Graduating to the second round, she was defeated by top-seed Vera Zvonereva 3-6, 6-7, 7-5 after spurning a match point. A promising results for a player out-of-contention for so long.

If there’s anyone who can steal Serena’s thunder, it’s her sister Venus (10.180*). The taller sibling has been also been out of contention for a form-defeating five months. Like Serena, she returned to the courts in Eastbourne, progressing a stage further than her sister and reaching the quarter-finals (where she lost 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 to Daniel Hatuchova).

If her injured hip holds out, there’s every chance that Wimbledon’s 23rd seed could pick up her six SW19 title.

Outside of the Williams sisters, Maria Sharapova (5.750*) is set as favourite after a strong French Open run. The Russian eased her way to the semi-finals on her worst surface, only losing to eventual champion Li Na. It’s a different story on grass; however, as the World No. 6’s powerful play is ideally suited to the fast surface.

If the 24 year-old manages it, it’ll be her first Grand Slam in three years – and her first Wimbledon title in seven.

Li Na (9.930*) will be hoping to stop her in London like she did in Paris, building on the momentum that saw her win a first Grand Slam. With the hopes of a billion people behind her, she should do better than her second-round Eastbourne exit to Hantuchova (7-6, 6-3).

Other favourites include top-seed Caroline Wozniacki (10.590*), who despite her World No. 1 ranking is yet to win a Grand Slam. If her form in France is any measure, she won’t manage it this time, either.

Vera Zvonereva will be looking to build on last year’s performance, which saw her lose out in the final to Serena Williams 6-3, 6-2. The victory over the powerful American at Eastbourne will certainly boost her confidence – although a quarter-final defeat to Samantha Stosur (6-4, 6-7, 4-6) shows she’s not up-to-speed on the surface just yet.

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The Vancouver Canucks are knocking on the door of their first Stanley Cup title in franchise history as they get set to face off with the Boston Bruins in Game 6 of the final on Monday night at TD Garden. Can the Bruins’ impressive goal-scoring record keep them in the Stanley Cup Final? For the best NHL betting odds, bet now with Pinnacle Sports.

NHL Betting – Vancouver Canucks at Boston Bruins (June 13th)

Vancouver took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series with a 1-0 win over Boston in Game 5 on Friday night at Rogers Arena.

Roberto Luongo stopped all 31 shots he faced to earn his second shutout of the final, while Maxim Lapierre scored the only goal of the game early in the third period to push the Bruins to the brink of elimination.

Both clubs continued to struggle on the power play in Game 5. Vancouver went 0 for 3 with the man-advantage, while Boston were 0 for 4.

Bookmakers at Pinnacle Sports have the Canucks as {{2.320}} underdogs for Game 6, and the Bruins are on the board as {{1.699}} favourites. The total is listed at 5.

Boston have their back against the wall in their first Cup final appearance since 1990, but they have to feel bolstered heading into Game 6. The B’s have outscored the Canucks 14-6 in the series, including 12-1 at the Garden.

Boston cashed Game 3 in an 8-1 rout, and they followed it up with a 4-0 triumph in Game 4.

In Game 4, Tim Thomas was the hero for the Bruins, as the Vezina Trophy finalist steered aside 38 shots to blank the Canucks, who were forced to replace Luongo early in the third period. Rich Peverley led Boston with two goals on the night.

Round-Up

Injuries have played a huge role in the series, but there should be no surprises for either lineup in Game 6.

The Bruins’ Nathan Horton (concussion) is out for the series, as is the Canucks’ Aaron Rome (suspension). Dan Hamhuis (leg), who hasn’t played since Game 1, is listed as questionable for Monday night for Vancouver.

Chris Tanev replaced Hamhuis in the Vancouver lineup in Game 5, and he figures to be on the blueline once again in Game 6 after Keith Ballard’s poor play earlier in the series.

On the series prices board, the Canucks are {{1.292}} favourites to win the Cup. The Bruins are {{4.000}} underdogs.

Game 7, if necessary, goes on Wednesday night at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

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