We’ve reached the semi-final stages of the Australian Open with both women’s matches being played in the day session on the Rod Laver Arena on Thursday as well as the opening men’s match in the evening session. That should ensure a top day of tennis in Melbourne and by the end of it we will know who will battle it out for the ladies title on Saturday.
Coco Vandeweghe vs Venus Williams
At 25 years old Coco Vandeweghe is a child among veterans in this tournament now. Venus Williams is 11 years older than her and will be looking for her first Grand Slam final since 2009. This is Vandeweghe’s first Grand Slam semi-final.
How the youngster copes with nerves could be an issue here. She is much improved in the last six months or so but she still has an erratic side to her game and any nerves lingering around might bring that side to her game out a little more.
Venus Williams has been very impressive in this tournament so far. She has come through the draw without losing a set and has shown all her class and her experience to date. I think it is fair to say this represents her toughest test but you get the feeling there is more for Venus to give and in truth I can’t call this match.
I fancy it to be a lengthy encounter but I thought that in the last round when Vandeweghe played Garbine Muguruza and the American destroyed the French Open champion. With that in mind I’ll sit this one out.
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni vs Serena Williams
Serena is now just two wins away from that amazing modern era Grand Slam record but with that will see the pressure crank up and if Venus has won earlier in the day then all eyes will be on the legend to see if she can set up the magical Williams sisters final. Mirjana Lucic-Baroni is completely freerolling in this semi-final.
I have to say I got caught up in the whole Lucic-Baroni story on Wednesday. I thought she was terrific in seeing off a very good Karolina Pliskova and it was nice to see sport deliver a fairytale story like hers. If Lucic-Baroni can play with freedom, and I think she will given that she would never have expected to be in this position again, and hit the ball as clean as she did in the quarter final she can give Serena something to think about.
I expect Serena to win this match. I’ve never once hidden my admiration for her in our tennis previews and rarely take her on but I think the handicap on the Croatian is a game or two too big here. Lucic-Baroni has a big game and while I think Serena will overcome that in the end I don’t think this will be a cakewalk for her.
Roger Federer vs Stan Wawrinka
The opening men’s semi-final will be the 22nd battle between Switzerland’s finest as Roger Federer takes on Stan Wawrinka. Federer leads the head to head 18-3 and it won’t be lost on either man that Wawrinka’s three wins were all on clay, a surface which suits him more than a hard court.
Federer has been back to his vintage best in this tournament. He is creaming his backhand better than ever and looks a rejuvenated man. Any questions about whether he has any battle left in him went when he came past Kei Nishikori in five sets earlier in the event. The tennis he played to see off Tomas Berdych and Mischa Zverev was sparkling.
Stan Wawrinka has quietly come through the draw nicely though and we all know the deeper he goes in a Grand Slam the better he gets but he’ll need to here as this is his toughest test of the fortnight so far.
I’m a huge fan of the Stanimal but I believe this is Federer’s time. The faster court helps Federer get the ball through the court and the slightly lower bounce than Wawrinka would get on a clay court suits Federer too. It is no surprise Federer has never lost to Wawrinka away from the clay and I don’t think he’s going to here either. I expect Federer to see off his Swiss foe with a bit in hand.
Tips
Back M.Lucic-Baroni (+6.5 games) to beat S.Williams for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with Boylesports
Back her here:
Back R.Federer (-1.5 games) to beat S.Wawrinka for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Titanbet
Back him here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017
