After a thrilling week-and-a-half of tennis at the All England Club, just four women remain in contention for the title at Wimbledon. All will no doubt have their eyes set firmly on the honour of walking out on Saturday on Centre Court and, as ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for both semifinals. But who will come out on top?
Wimbledon Semifinal Predictions
Ash Barty vs Angelique Kerber
Jim: Ash Barty has not lost a set so far at Wimbledon, but the Australian world #1 also hasn’t looked entirely convincing so far. Even in her comprehensive win over her compatriot Ajla Tomljanovic in the quarterfinals there were moments to be concerned about for the world #1. Angelique Kerber, in contrast, has looked entirely at ease and entirely focused for the most part. She also has the experience and the quality to really challenge Barty.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Yesh: 2018 champion Kerber is playing the best tennis she has in years, but Barty is a woman on a mission. And that mission is winning Wimbledon. Both play very canny all-court games, but the Barty slice will win the day in the end.
Prediction: Barty in 3
Andy: The Australian world #1 wasn’t pushed as hard as most in her quarterfinal against Tomljanovic but showed some real flashes of brilliance. Kerber is looking so dialled in right now though and, of course, she is the only member of the final four who has been here and done it before. This will be a complete contrast to the other semifinal and we will see all of the court used with the whole catalogue of shots. I think that when it comes down to the key moments though I trust Kerber to be the one to be able to play the closest to her ceiling and keep the ball in the court.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Damian: Wimbledon’s semifinal line-up is a treat this year, and here we have a clash between a former champion and one definitely expected to raise the trophy in the next few years. Kerber is on a ten-match winning streak and her ability to hit shots on the run and crouch on the grass is basically unparalleled since Radwanska retired. But I just can’t go against Barty, whose every asset works so well on the grass. Whether it is the varied serve, knifing slice, or whippy forehand, everything just fits when you see the Australian on a grass court. Let’s hope it’s a classic to remember.
Prediction: Barty in 3
Jason: Like many others, I felt that Kerber’s win in Bad Homburg the week before Wimbledon would be huge for her performances here and she hasn’t disappointed thus far. Besides slight hiccups in her first-round match the world #1 Barty, on the other hand, has looked exceptional. My biggest fear for the German here is fatigue given how much she’s played lately but thankfully her last two wins in SW19 have been rather routine. Quite frankly, if Kerber plays anything like she has recently I expect she’ll extend her head to head against the Australian, anything less and Barty will make her first Wimbledon final.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
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Aryna Sabalenka vs Karolina Pliskova
Jim: There should be plenty of winners in this match. Both women are at their best when playing on the front foot, with their serves and forehands the cornerstones of their games. But it is Sabalenka who has looked the more impressive so far at the All England Club and indeed this season. The reason for that looks fairly simple to understand – she has the better all-round game. The Belarusian may not have things all her own way, but she should have the edge.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Yesh: We just saw an absolutely unbelievable display from Pliskova. The lack of pressure has her playing at her absolute best. She can outhit Sabalenka, and she can stay solid under pressure better than the relatively inexperienced Sabalenka. That adds up to a Pliskova victory.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Andy: Both played their first Wimbledon quarterfinals today, but against less decorated opponents and they were able to assume superiority. Pliskova took a stranglehold early on against Golubic and generally looked imperious. She was the A1 Pliskova of unreturnable serves and effortless power off the ground. Sabalenka was all raw power against Jabeur and was relentless. If the Belarusian plays the same way against Pliskova then I give her the edge. Though both players have big serves and groundstrokes I would favour the slightly more rounded game of Sabalenka.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Damian: Pliskova is yet to drop a set, losing her serve only three times. She was always named as one of the contenders here but in poor form coming into this year’s edition, it looks like she really enjoyed flying under the radar. Sabalenka, meanwhile, has finally broken the barrier of the final eight at slams and they’re both playing extremely well.
The quality of Pliskova’s movement is looking great and she is able to play her aggressive game more consistently than usual. Sabalenka seems like someone who could outplay her in almost every department though – her first serve can be almost as booming and there’s a lot more intensity in her footwork. This should be great but I think the younger, fitter player might prevail.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Jason: It’s hard to believe Pliskova came into this year’s Wimbledon on the back of three consecutive losses. The Czech is playing the best tennis I’ve seen from her in years, but it must be said the players she’s faced en route to the semis are nowhere near the level Sabalenka is at. Regardless of that the Belarusian has looked somewhat vulnerable, especially in her matches against Katie Boulter and Elena Rybakina. This is a huge chance for Pliskova to turn around a poor few years given her ability. Expect the 29-year old to make her second Grand Slam final, a long overdue five years after her first.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
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