Semifinal #1: Agnieszka Radwanska, the #4 seed from Poland, versus Serena Williams, the #1 seed from the United States.
As with any match Williams plays, it is really hard to bet against her.
That being said here is how the match sets up.
Williams and Radwanska have played eight matches on the WTA tour. Williams has won all eight of those matches, with Radwanska only being able to win one set. These two top seeds have extremely contrasting game styles. Williams’ game is all about power; her serves are the strongest in the women’s game. Whenever her service game becomes threatened Williams has the uncanny ability to fire off aces. In baseline rallies, Williams often finds angles that when combined with her power make for shots that are impossible to return.
Radwanska possesses one of the most elegant games on the women’s tour. Radwanska’s groundstrokes feature a mix of topspin and slice with ever-changing pace, making it difficult for opponents to get their rhythm. But what sets Radwanska’s game apart is her ability to improvise during a point, playing shots that are awe-inspiring and set up wonderfully creative points.
The pressure in this match is all on Serena’s shoulders. After winning three major titles last year and almost completing the calendar year Grand Slam, talk has already begun about her chances this year for accomplishing this feat. It is interesting to note that Roberta Vinci, the Italian player that defeated Williams at the US Open, has a game that is based on a variety of slice shots. Power against power Williams will win. But power against slice and variety can cause Williams problems.
Semifinal #2: #6 seed Angelique Kerber of Germany versus #46 on the WTA tour, Johanna Konta of Great Britain.
Kerber has had an excellent start to the 2016 year, reaching the final in Brisbane a couple of weeks ago. Kerber lost that final to Victoria Azarenka, whom she defeated in the quarterfinals here. Kerber, a lefty with powerful groundstrokes, can be hurt by her weaker second serve. As Azarenka experienced last night, Kerber can be a streaky player, firing off one winner after the other or alternatively one unforced error after the other. But Kerber showed some real grit yesterday as she held on to win in straight sets.
Her opponent, Johanna Konta of Great Britain, has found herself in new tournament territory. Her previous best Major results were making it to the round of 16 at both the 2015 French Open and the 2016 US Open. Konta started the Australian Open by knocking out the #8 seed Venus Williams in the first round and she has not dropped her level on her way to reaching the semifinals. Konta hits very cleanly off the ground playing with controlled aggression. Konta’s serve can be a weapon as it has pace and she can place it accurately. This matchup could come down to whichever player has the greater belief in their ability to take their game to the final of a Major tournament. Kerber’s experience in this stage of a major and her willingness to run down absolutely every ball should see her make it to the finals.
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