Wimbledon Women's Semifinals: Previews and Advantages
By Covers.com
Angelique Kerber (-145) vs. Agnieszka Radwanska (+105)
If you'll recall, we mentioned early last week that Kerber would be worth a few bucks this Wimbledon.
Now she faces Radwanska in a semifinals match that features the two players with the most wins on the WTA this season, believe it or not. Kerber is first with 45 while Radwanska is tied with Azarenka with 43. The two players are 2-2 against one another in their four career meetings.
This marks Radwanska's first semifinals appearance in a grand slam so Kerber has the slight edge in experience. The German reached the semis at the US Open in 2011. Until today, Radwanska had been the only player in the top 15 who had never played in a grand slam semifinal. If she can win Wimbledon, and Azarenka loses to Serena in the other semi, Radwanska will catapult to the No. 1 ranking in the world.
Kerber won't make that easy. These two players play similar styles, both known as great ball strikers but neither really known as scary servers. But they are consistent on first serves and know how to track down balls and keep rallies alive.
Don't be surprised if this one goes three sets with plenty of long rallies if nerves can be fought off. We'll give Kerber the slight edge though because of her experience.
Advantage: Kerber
Victoria Azarenka +145 vs. Serena Williams -185
Many will consider this the 'true' final on the ladies side. That's because Azarenka has had arguably the best season so far this year and Serena, well, she's Serena and this is Wimbledon.
Williams is 7-1 against the current world No. 2 with only one of those meetings coming at Wimbledon. Serena blasted Azarenka 6-2, 6-3 in the 2009 quarterfinals and won their most recent meeting in two sets in the finals of Madrid.
Azarenka is a brand new player now though and has arguably had the best season on the women's side so far. She won the Aussie Open in January and reeled off 26 straight victories to start the year.
Both women are among the hardest hitters on Tour, but you always have to give the serving edge to Williams. Serena blasted 13 aces in her quarterfinals match against last year's champ, Petra Kvitova, helping her pull out the win despite the fact Kvitova had a better winner-to-error ratio in the match. Serena also leads Wimby with 61 aces so far. Second place is Sabine Lisicki with 34.
Advantage: Serena