Saturday 6 April 2013

WTA Charleston Semi-Final Predictions: Venus and Serena set to clash for 1st time since 2009

Serena Williams
Serena Williams v Venus Williams
On an epic Friday schedule in Charleston, it was a day fitting for a Williams fan as both sisters won their 3rd round and quarter-final matches to set up a semi-final showdown, a first match-up since 2009. Serena Williams overcame a richly encouraging performance from Mallory Burdette in a 6-4 6-2 win and then took out Lucie Safarova, 6-4 6-1 in a rematch of the 2012 final.  Venus Williams struggled past Varvara Lepchenko in a three set third rounder, but produced a much more clinical display to beat the talented Madison Keys, 6-4 6-4.

Serena and Venus have met on 23 occasions with Serena edging the head-to-head with 13 wins to 10 including two wins at the Year-Ending-Champs back in 2009, before Serena was sidelined with a blood clot to the lungs and Venus with Sjogren's Syndrome.  I have never particularly looked forward to the Serena-Venus match-ups, but I think this one will be fun as we have not seen them play in so long.  I'm backing Serena to come through...

Prediction - Serena to beat Venus in 3 sets

Jelena Jankovic v Stefanie Voegele
Stefanie Voegele produced the upset of the tournament as she knocked out the number 2 seed, Caroline Wozniacki in a tight three setter of a quarter-final, 3-6 6-4 6-3.  It was an excellent win for Voegele, who showed great resolve to come from a set a down and a break down in the final set to beat Wozniacki, who is known as one of the best competitors on tour.  Jankovic had another easy win, beating Eugenie Bouchard 6-1 6-2 for her 8th win in 9 matches.  No doubt the JJ bandwagon will take shape now although many of those wins did not come against top opposition. Jankovic and Voegele have never played before, but both have shown some strong form this week, most notably Voegele, who has taken out three seeds along the way.  I think it will be a tight match, but I believe JJ will make the final...

Prediction - Jankovic to beat Voegele in 3 sets

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