Each of the women’s semifinal matches at Wimbledon will have a heavy favorite. Simona Halep looks in absolutely dominant form, especially later in the tournament. Ons Jabeur, meanwhile, is slicing her way around all threats. Are they locks to face in the final? Or will we see an upset in a semifinal match? As always, our writers share their thoughts. Predicting these matches are Jack Edward, Jakub Bobro, Damian Kust, Andy Watson, and Yesh Ginsburg.
Wimbledon Women’s Semifinal Predictions
Ons Jabeur vs Tatjana Maria
Jack:
It would be foolish to underestimate Tatjana Maria. She’s been in a losing position in most of her matches so far, even saving match points against Jelena Ostapenko, yet she’s somehow found a way to win all five.
Where she’s previously been able to tame many of her opponents huge strikes, Ons Jabeur is a completely different player. She has a variety of abilities to deal with low-sitting balls during ordinary circumstances or under immense pressure. These abilities and her insane level of confidence should see her past Maria’s slices. A Grand Slam final debut awaits.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Jakub:
A slice and dice variety extravaganza of a semifinal. Jabeur dropped the first set of her run in the quarterfinals against Marie Bouzkova but the way she came back in the next two sets makes me even more impressed with her. Maria has had one of the most extraordinary runs in Wimbledon history but it feels like her “barbecue buddy” will be the one to end it. Jabeur’s form at this moment seems insurmountable.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Damian:
Hand skills will definitely be displayed in this one. Tatiana Maria plays a slice-and-dice game that’s somehow taken her this far, mostly as her shots are really compatible with the low bounce of grass courts. She’s been able to dismantle players with incredible power so far, including Jelena Ostapenko and Jule Niemeier, simply by feeding them a very uncomfortable ball. On paper, it seems like Ons Jabeur should be the end of the road for the German, mostly as she’s much more versatile than Maria’s previous revivals. The veteran is not to be taken lightly though.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Andy:
It is well documented that the two players are good friends off the court, this is likely to help both to settle in a bit easier. If Jabeur can play her game here then she should win. Maria has hung in during her last couple of matches and drawn enough errors to complete a victory but I can’t see that happening here. Jabeur is too good and too confident.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Yesh:
I’ve thought Maria will lose in just about every match of hers this tournament. Each time, I’ve been very wrong. The 34-year-old just keeps grinding and keeping her opponents uncomfortable. Jabeur doesn’t really get uncomfortable on court, though, so I’d expect her to win. Will thinking Maria will lose burn me yet again? Probably.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Simona Halep vs Elena Rybakina
Jack:
Elena Rybakina always had the game for grass. She always had the game style to generally excel but it’s all started to come together in time for what could become her favorite tournament. Simona Halep is an amazing returner but Rybakina at her best would challenge even the great Romanian’s return abilities.
After watching Halep’s match against Anisimova however, it’s clear her partnership with Patrick Mouratoglou has given her an edge on serve that was previously missing. Rybakina can’t just rattle through service games and hope for the best. This is Halep’s best level since winning in 2019 –Rybakina will put up a fight but Halep’s streak is too likely to continue.
Prediction: Halep in 3
Jakub:
After winning close sets throughout the tournament, Rybakina finally dropped a set. She managed to come back from it, beating Ajla Tomljanovic in three sets to reach her first Slam semifinal. I do not know what she can do against Halep though. The Romanian has been ripping through the draw mercilessly, dropping a total of nine games against Paula Badosa and Amanda Anisimova. The American troubled her a bit in the second set when she began to redline but it was too little too late. Rybakina will have to go for it with every stroke, a tactic that has a low percentage chance of success but is her only pathway to potential victory. The odds are in Halep’s favor here.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Damian:
Feels like Elena Rybakina hasn’t been the talk of the town at all this Wimbledon, but the Kazakh has a serious chance to win the whole thing. Her first-strike tennis loves the grass and she’s been serving extremely well the whole fortnight. Simona Halep is yet to drop a set, though, and she’s looked practically impenetrable. The Romanian will make Rybakina play the extra ball and pose all the tough questions. Before the tournament I’d have gone with the youngster in this potential semifinal, but I’ll change my mind based on how strong Halep has looked so far.
Prediction: Halep in 3
Andy:
The Romanian is looking supremely confident on the grass. Her grass record is generally underrated and is probably the best of all four semifinalists. The win over Amanda Anisimova probably sets her up perfectly for this match as well with some similarities between Anisimova and Rybakina. The Kazakh will deliver some powerful, flat grounstrokes and an excellent serve, but if anyone is able to combat that it is Halep. I expect the Romanian to force Rybakina into too many errors and hold serve enough to get into the final
Prediction: Halep in 2
Yesh:
Halep looks in utterly dominant form. She’s beating players of all styles and talents, and she’s doing it with ease. The Romanian is getting better and better, and–if Badosa and Anisimova couldn’t do it–there’s nothing in Rybakina’s game that can trouble her.
Prediction: Halep in 2
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