Aussie Open: Women's Semifinal Preview and Picks
By Charles Bricker
Yesterday's record: 3-1
Tourney record: 28-10
(1) CAROLINE WOZNIACKI (+125) VS. (9) LI NA (-162)
There are good reasons to like Li in this match. She hasn't lost a set, though she's had a snap draw. She holds a 2-1 lifetime edge over her Danish opponent. And the last time they met, in the round of 16 at the 2010 Aussie Open, Li won. But that was then. Wozniacki is into this semi after a three-set win over Francesca Schiavone. Li is into her second straight Aussie Open final four and this is a nice bounce-back from her first-round loss at the 2010 U.S. Open.
Pick: Wozniacki
(3) KIM CLIJSTERS (-175) VS. (2) VERA ZVONAREVA (+138)
They're having to play back to back matches for the first time this fortnight, but that shouldn't be a problem. This is their 10th meeting with Kim leading 6-3, but with Vera winning three of the last four including the quarters at the tour championships in November. It's the fifth time they've met in the last seven months with Zvonareva taking three of the last four.
Clijsters will be the fan favorite, but. . .
Pick: Zvonareva