WTA Charleston: Semi Final Predictions

WTA Charleston: Semi Final Predictions- Keys vs Hradecka & Petkovic vs Kerber

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The Family Circle Cup in Charleston has reached the semi final stages. At the beginning of the week, I knew there would be surprises! In fact, I only guessed 2 of the 8 quarter finalists correctly; Andrea Petkovic and Sara Errani! However, in my defence, the event has been beset by a number of high profile withdrawals and retirements, 3 of which involved players I had predicted to reach the last 8!

(8/2) Ekaterina Makarova withdrew prior to the third round due to a gastrointestinal illness, (17/6) Jelena Jankovic withdrew before the same round because of a foot injury and Varvara Lepchenko suffered a back injury midway through her 1st round match and subsequently retired. NO ONE COULD HAVE PREDICTED THAT! If injuries can be avoided (fingers crossed), these are my predictions as to who I think will progress into the final!

(20/7) Madison Keys vs (110/Q) Lucie Hradecka

Despite a disappointing couple of early exits in Indian Wells and Miami, Madison has rekindled the form which took her to the Australian Open semis here on the green clay. The American has dropped a mere 9 games in 3 matches coming into the semis, her toughest ‘test’ being Lauren Davis in the quarters. Davis played practically flawless tennis to defeat a disconsolate (7/1) Eugenie Bouchard, 63 61 in the 2nd round as the Canadian’s backhand haemorrhaged errors.

The powerful Czech, Lucie Hradecka has been qualifying for events all year, memorably upsetting Ana Ivanovic back at the Australian Open. Judging by her past results, such as reaching the semis of Madrid in 2012, the clay is her forte, as she’s proven this week in winning 6 matches thus far. Her best wins have been those against (28/8) Caroline Garcia, 57 75 64 in the 3rd round and (14/4) Sara Errani 62 64 in the quarters. The latter was most impressive as the feisty Italian is particularly tough on clay and had beaten Hradecka 61 63 on hard courts in Acapulco back in February!

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Keys and Hradecka have never met before. They actually play rather similar games, as they are both tall with huge serves and ground strokes. Hradecka hits two handed off both sides a la Monica Seles and Marion Bartoli and like Keys, certainly doesn’t hold back. It won’t be traditional clay court tennis out there and I give Madison only a slight edge based on the fact that she’s the much fresher of the two. Prediction: Madison Keys

(11/3) Andrea Petkovic vs (16/5) Angelique Kerber

Petkovic is still unbeaten in Charleston, having won the title last year. As usual, the German has made hard work of this week, requiring 3 sets to beat both Chanelle Scheepers and qualifier, Danka Kovinic in the 2nd round and quarters respectively.

Kerber has been struggling this year, coming into this event having failed to reach the quarters in her last 6 events! Despite falling outside of the top 10 for the first time since 2012, the clay might just well be the key to her regaining her old form. Like her compatriot, she has struggled to reach the semis, recovering from 2-4 down in the 3rd set to beat Evgeniya Rodina 36 63 64 in the 2nd round and 1-5 down in the 1st set to beat (36/13) Irina Camelia Begu 76(3) 76(4) in the quarters, saving a total of 5 set points in both sets combined! That win was particularly special as Begu had beaten Kerber back in the 1st round of the Australian Open; the beginning of Kerber’s descent outside of the top 10!

Kerber leads the head to head 6-3, with Petkovic winning the last 3! Having said that, the two haven’t played since Dubai 2011, before either had even broken the top 10! So, this is practically a fresh start! As both players have a bad habit of making life difficult for themselves, I can easily see this one going to 3 sets. Petkovic is the more confident of the two, but also the more fatigued I feel. This is Kerber’s chance to get back on track and I think she just might take it. Prediction: Angelique Kerber

Next: WTA Charleston: Preview and Predictions

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