WTA Semifinal Preview: Stanford and D.C.

May 25, 2015; Paris, France; Samantha Stosur (AUS) in action during her match against Madison Brengle (USA) on day two at Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

WTA Semifinal Preview and Predictions: Stanford and Washington D.C.

With the Rogers Cup draw having just been revealed, it’s tempting to look forward to the week ahead and predict who (other than Serena) could walk away with a Premier 5 title in a week’s time. But there are still 2 tournaments yet to end in Washington and Stanford. Semifinals day is upon us, and the matches in store will potentially have ramifications on the US Open at the end of the month. Here are some thoughts on today’s matches:

Sloane Stephens vs. Sam Stosur [2] (Washington)

The first semifinal match in Washington will be a battle between alliterate names in the form of Sloane Stephens and Samantha Stosur. Both players have been in fantastic form throughout this tournament, and indeed throughout the last few months. Both are undoubtedly power players, and have a tendency to deliver error-filled performances. But as of late, they have tightened up their groundstrokes and achieved greater results.

This match presents a fantastic opportunity for both women. Despite her grand slam success and notoriety, Stephens is yet to win a WTA title, let alone reach a final. A finals appearance here would not only affirm that she is on the right track back to the top of the game, but would also likely clinch her a seeding for the US Open. Meanwhile, Stosur has the opportunity to compete for her third title of the year (and second consecutive title). Taking the title here would also project her to a top-16 ranking – a fantastic place to be heading to New York.

Stosur leads the head-to-head 2-0, with both of their matches taking place on clay, including a three-set semifinal tussle in Strasbourg earlier this year. Although the Australian leads the series, her game shouldn’t cause Stephens too many problems. Stephens’ speed should allow her to track down Stosur’s heavier balls, and her fast, flat groundstrokes will ensure that Sam doesn’t dictate play.

With the American crowd behind her, Sloane could use her improved game to take out the match. However, Stosur is just playing too well right now for me to bet against her. Expect the woman who takes this match to go on and claim the title.

Prediction: Stosur in 3.

Ekaterina Makarova [1] vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Washington)

The second semifinal match of the Citi Open will be an all-Russian affair between perennial top 20 player Makarova and the ever-talented, ever-frustrating Nastia. Makarova will be appearing in just her second semifinal of the 2015 season, the first being in Melbourne. It’s been a shaky year for Makarova, but her strong run here suggests a return to form for the Russian. Her quarterfinal victory over the reliably strong Irina-Camelia Begu speaks well of her game heading into the final stretch of the season.

Pavlyuchenkova’s season has mirrored that of Makarova’s 2015. After months of disappointing results, Nastia is finally beginning to impress again with semifinal showings in Baku last week, and D.C. this week. She is prone to lapses in concentration, which is something that she looks to have somewhat improved on in the last fortnight. Her match against Bencic in the second round was outstanding, but her inconsistency shone through as she scraped through her quarterfinal match against Christina McHale.

Nastia leads the head-to-head 4-3, although Makarova took their two encounters last year, and their last two encounters on hard courts. Pavlyuchenkova is talented enough to strike her way through this match, and the whole tournament for that matter. But I seriously doubt whether she can maintain a standard of play strong enough to take out such a quality competitor in Makarova. Expect Makarova to reach her first final of the year.

Prediction: Makarova in 3.

More from Tennis News

Varvara Lepchenko vs. Karolina Pliskova [4] (Stanford)

The WTA’s newest top ten player has entered the sport’s elite with a bang, reaching the semifinals in Stanford. If she wins this match she will be ranked no. 8 as of next week. A title run would see her clinch no. 7. To determine where she ends up, Pliskova will face off against American Varvara Lepchenko.

Lepchenko’s run here has been fantastic, given her weak form entering the US hard court season. Having returned to the top 30 at the beginning of the year, a string of early losses saw her drop to no. 60. Yet, she has been able to use her powerful lefty serve and forehand to hit her way through three matches, including a victory over world no. 5 Caroline Wozniacki. Granted, Woz was hindered by injury and was striking error after error, but Lepchenko played some exceptional tennis to oust the Dane in straight sets.

Another factor in this match may be Lepchenko’s mentality, as she has been a stranger to victory for the past few months. She also made the semifinal here last year, and nearly took out Angelique Kerber in straight sets. However, she succumbed to nerves and dropped the second set in a tiebreak, along with the match.

Both women register as power players, so Pliskova’s flat groundstrokes will easily match Lepchenko’s booming forehand. They both also possess average defensive skills. The deciding factor in this match will be Pliskova’s greater confidence, given her four final appearances this year, and her superior consistency. Pliskova will reach her tour-leading fifth WTA final for 2015 in 2 tight sets, whilst snagging the world no. 8 ranking.

Prediction: Pliskova in 2.

Elina Svitolina [8] vs. Angelique Kerber [5] (Stanford)

If I may digress, I’d just like to take a moment to acknowledge the sheer quality on display in the Kerber vs. Radwanska match in the quarterfinals. Across 2 and a half hours, both women engaged completely in a match in which nearly every point could have competed for the highlight reel. The match stands thus far as one of the best of the year, with tennis that I’d expect only from the top two players in the world. Not only did it announce both women as contenders at the US Open, but it indicated that Radwanska’s hard court slump throughout the year is in the past. Expect both women to make waves in Canada and Cinci.

It was also a match that would have drained Kerber both physically and mentally, and should hinder her in the semifinal match. Her opponent will be young Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. With all due respect to the youngster, her game appears as a second-rate Kerber game style. Her defence is insurmountable. But she is often afraid to play aggressive tennis, instead remaining passive at the back of the court. Kerber’s shots, while still precise, have much more bite than Svitolina’s.

It’s interesting then that, of their four meetings, Svitolina has won the last two, including a three set thriller in Brisbane this year. However, Kerber has improved exponentially since then, having started the year with a whimper.

There’s every chance that Kerber will be fatigued from her quarterfinal match and could gift the win to Svitolina. But as her 3 titles this year suggests, the German’s superior fitness and determination should help her compete here. Her exhaustion may allow Svitolina to extend the match to three sets. Yet, Kerber should be able to dictate play while tracking down Svitolina’s balls, on the way her fourth final of the year. And if Pliskova joins her, a mouth-watering Eastbourne rematch awaits!

Prediction: Kerber in 3.

How do you think will reach the Stanford and Washington finals?? Let us know in the comments below!

Next: US Open Series 2015: Top Women's Storylines

More from Lob and Smash

Home/Tennis News