WOMEN’S SEMIFINAL: [1] Serena Williams (USA) vs. [4] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)
Williams led their head-to-head, 8:0; however, after Angelique Kerber surprised Victoria Azarenka yesterday, would Radwanska find a way to defeat Williams today? No! Williams was simply brilliant in the first set and won that 6-0. She took an early break in the second but relaxed a little and allowed Radwanska back in the set. Although it was a more competitive set, there was never any doubt that Williams was in control. She maintained her pristine record against Radwanska with the 6-0, 6-4 victory and heads to her seventh Australian Open Final.
WOMEN’S SEMIFINAL: [7] Angelique Kerber (GER) vs. [CR47] Johanna Konta (GBR)
It was the tournament of firsts for Konta: first time playing in the Australian Open; first Major semifinal; first time defeating Denisa Allertova and Venus Williams; and her first time playing against Kerber. Unfortunately for Konta, she was overwhelmed by the occasion. There was nothing in her memory bank for her to fall back on and she got off to a horrendous start. Down 0-3, Konta mounted a comeback; however, the energy expended to do so plus her anxious state drained her reserves. Kerber won 7-5, 6-2. Kerber will play in her first Major final, can she upset Williams?
MEN’S SEMIFINAL: [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [3] Roger Federer (SUI)
They have played each other forty-four times; therefore, there are no secrets between them. Each has had runs of victories against the other. Victory for Federer was dependent on how quickly he started. Unfortunately, he got off to an abysmal start. Djokovic manhandled him in the first two sets and quickly won them 6-1, 6-2. Federer is a champion who knows how to rise to the occasion and he still had hopes of contesting the final for his eighteenth Major title; thus, he would take the third set. However, there was not enough in his tank to force a fifth set and serving at 3-4, he lost his focus. Federer dropped his serve and immediately lost the match. His chance at another Major title was denied once again by Djokovic. Djokovic won 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 and will play for his sixth Australian Open title on Sunday.
Serena will go all the way. She’ll give us ahgetta along the way but I believe she’ll take this title. As far as Djokovic is concerned, he’s on a winning streak that I don’t think any of the current top seeds can stop. Somewhere out there is a “young gun” who will put an end to the Serb’s reign.
Serena did a superb job pacing herself, she understood Radwanska’s game, and played accordingly, allowing her to win. She was strategic and confident with her game. I know that Serena is going all the way – no doubt.