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US Open: Women’s Semi Final Predictions

By Jake Fletcher

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US Open: The Top 2 vs Italy’s Best!

The semi finals have been decided in the women’s draw at the US Open. Serena Williams will play Roberta Vinci and Simona Halep will play Flavia Pennetta. Did I predict these players beforehand? Find out here!

Here’s a look at the semi finals and my predictions as to who will reach the final.

(Rank/Seed)

(1/1) Serena Williams vs (43/-) Roberta Vinci

Williams moved into her ninth semi final of the year after beating her sister, (23/23) Venus Williams 62 16 63 in the quarters. Before a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium, Serena was the more consistent of the two, often turning defence into offense against Venus’s imposing power. Now just two wins away from the calendar year ‘Grand Slam,’ the 33 year old will rest easy knowing she’s won eight of the nine US Open semi finals she’s contested. The American’s only loss at this stage came when she was infamously defaulted against Kim Clijsters in 2009.

Vinci is into only her second semi final of the year and her first in a Grand Slam. The 32 year old managed her nerves, the stifling hot conditions and her injured but dangerous opponent, Kristina Mladenovic 63 57 64 in the quarters. Part of a historic Grand Slam first, considering the fact that their are two Italian’s in the semis, Vinci will have her work cut out if she’s to continue her quiet progression.

Williams dominates Vinci 4-0 in their head to head and has never dropped a set. Incidentally, the two met about four weeks ago in the quarters of Toronto, Williams winning 64 63. This was the closest that Vinci had ever pushed the American.

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It would probably be one of the biggest upsets EVER if Vinci were able to defeat Williams in this match. The odds of that happening are incredibly slim.

Prediction: Serena Williams

(2/2) Simona Halep vs (26/26) Flavia Pennetta

Halep moved into her ninth semi final of the year by outslugging (20/20) Victoria Azarenka 63 46 64 in the quarter finals. Despite a rain delay early in the third, the Romanian proved to be much too consistent for the former two time finalist. Azarenka was repeatedly surprised by Halep’s deceptive power and appeared erratic when compared with Halep’s uncharacteristic 40 winners to only 19 unforced errors. Despite having never gone beyond the 4th round here before, the 23 year old continues to use her physical prowess to overcome bigger opponents in long matches. 1-1 in Grand Slam semi finals, this will be her first since Wimbledon last year.

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Pennetta chose a good spot to make her first semi final this year, once again over-achieving at the US Open. The 33 year old moved into her second semi final here in the past three years by outlasting (4/5) Petra Kvitova 46 64 62. Despite trailing a set and 1-3, Pennetta kept Kvitova on the court long enough to make the heat count. In the end, Kvitova became ragged and was undone by an unforgivable 60 unforced errors. The Italian will now hope to reach her first Grand Slam final, after losing to Victoria Azarenka at this stage in 2013.

Pennetta has a dominant 3-1 head to head lead against Halep, but the Romanian won their last meeting in the 4th round of Miami earlier this year 63 75. The two have played at the US Open before, Pennetta winning 62 76(3) in the 4th round of 2013.

This match will feature many long, gruelling rallies and will be a test of who is physically stronger. I expect many breaks of serve and for it to probably go to three sets, but in the end, Halep should just have the edge given her big match experience this summer.

Prediction: Simona Halep

Next: US Open: Women's Quarter Final Predictions- Bottom Half

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