It’s the semifinals, and both have the potential to be excellent matches. The two winners will face off for a chance to win a Slam title. Will Serena Williams earn Slam #23? Will Angelique Kerber take the World #1 ranking away? Will Caroline Wozniacki come out of nowhere and finally win a Slam? Find out what our panelists think. Predicting today will be myself (Yesh Ginsburg), along with Steen Kirby, Niall Murray, and Ryan Schick.
Panelists Predictions US Open Women’s Semifinal Matches
Serena Williams vs Karolina Pliskova
Yesh:
I pulled the trigger on predicting the upset against Serena last round, and Simona Halep almost came through for me. Pliskova is not Halep, though. She plays the same style as Serena but Serena just does everything a bit better. Maybe Pliskova can eke out a set if her serve is actually unreturnable, but once rallies get extended Serena just has more power off the ground and can take the ball earlier.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Steen:
A battle of big servers, Serena herself said expect a lot of aces and holds, and this match could well stretch into a third set if Pliskova can sneak out a tiebreak. Serena’s strong focused play should earn her a win.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Niall:
It’s the battle of arguably the two best servers on the WTA Tour. Nobody has hit more aces than Plíšková this year, but her serve alone is unlikely to be enough to defeat this Williams. The World #1 found herself in a battle against Halep, but still emerged victorious. Serena managed to hit 50 winners and also won 81% of her points at the net against the Romanian. She looks fired up and I can’t see Plíšková getting between her and a 29th Grand Slam final.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Ryan:
Karolina Pliskova has looked almost unstoppable the last few weeks, with victories over the 2nd and 3rd ranked players in the world on her way to the title in Cincinnati and a triumph over Venus Williams on her road to this semifinal matchup, as well as a convincing 6-2 6-2 win in the quarterfinals against Ana Konjuh. Serena has been Serena, somehow keeping her elite strength at the age of 34, and until dropping the second set to Halep had not given up more than 3 games to an opponent during a set. This is Pliskova’s first Major that she has advanced past the round of 16, and will have a lot of trouble dealing with pressure against the best in the world and possibly of all time.
Prediction: Serena in 2
Angelique Kerber vs Caroline Wozniacki
Yesh:
This should be a great match. Wozniacki is playing at a level we haven’t seen in years and really looks more confident with each match. Kerber doesn’t have the raw power to hit through the Dane, and once you get into rallies with peak Wozniacki she will grind you down every time. True, Wozniacki is playing much more aggressive tennis than she did back when she was World #1, but the defense is still there.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Steen:
I’m going with a World #1 vs #2 final as despite the strong play of Wozniacki this tournament, a big improvement for her, Kerber is a step above and wants her shot at Serena.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Niall:
If this match had been prior to the US Open I’d have predicted a straightforward win for Kerber. However, Wozniacki looks back to her old self in New York and as a result I think this will be a great match. Both players have been excellent from the baseline and move well around the court. I expect numerous quality rallies, but I reckon Kerber’s mental strength will be the difference that sees her through to the final.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Ryan:
Wozniacki looks to have finally found her groove after a disappointing 2016 before the US Open, while Kerber continues her push for the #1 ranking and with a win will reach her third Major final in this stellar season. They have played each other pretty evenly on hard courts and both have had success at the US Open, but Kerber will overpower Wozniacki in a tight three-setter to add one more accomplishment to an incredible season.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
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