The women’s seeded players have actually live up to their reputation in this year’s Australian Open, with the top 2 ranked players still in contention for the silverware. There have been some gruelling matches over the past one-and-a-half weeks leading us up to this point and there’s bound to be a few left to play out. So join us here, as we preview the Women’s 2018 Australian Open Semi Final’s.
Elise Mertens Vs Caroline Wozniacki (2)
Elise Mertens has been the major surprise packet of the Women’s draw in this year’s AO and is the only unseeded player to feature in the final 4. Mertens is a young (22) Belgian player who has emerged as a future star of women’s tennis. She has knocked out Australia’s main hope in Dasha Gavrilova, as well as the tournament favourite Elina Svitolina en route to the Semi Final. Mertens plays with heavy ground strokes and a solid serve and will be looking to attack Wozniacki to get her on the back foot early.
Caroline Wozniacki has transformed her tennis game over the past 18 months to become one of the most dominant figures in women’s tennis. She won the most matches of anyone in the WTA last year, but wasn’t able to translate her form to the big stage and is still without a Grand Slam title. She is the current world number 2 and will come into this one as a hot favourite. Wozniacki has added a bit of much needed aggressiveness to her ground strokes in the past year, which has complimented her elite defensive skills nicely.
Prediction
Although Mertens has shown tremendous ability in the tournament so far, we have to go with the experienced world number 2 in this encounter. Wozniacki is hungry for her first Grand Slam title and has a huge opportunity at the AO this year with Serena Williams absent. We are expecting Wozniacki to grind this one out in a tough match.
TIP: Caroline Wozniacki / Over 21.0 games - $2.65 at CrownBet
Simona Halep (1) Vs Angelique Kerber (21)
Simona Halep has managed to live up to the hype as the best ranked female player in the world, reaching the Semi Final at the Australian Open for the first time in her career. Although ranked number 1, Halep has never won a Grand Slam title and has traditionally struggled on the hardcourt surfaces. Her preferred surface is clay, which is highlighted by her 2 appearances in the final at the French Open. However, she has played beautifully so far and has rightfully earned a spot in the Semi Final against the former number 1, Angelique Kerber.
Angelique Kerber has powered her way to the Semis of the AO once again and will come into the match with Halep as favourite, despite being ranked 20 spots below the world number 1. Kerber has been in blistering form over the past month and looks to be back to the peak of her powers. As mentioned above, Kerber is a former world number one and is a 2-time Grand Slam champion, with both victories coming in her tremendous 2016 campaign. Kerber loves the hardcourts here at Melbourne and she was the champion here in 2016, so it’s safe to say she won’t be taking a backwards step in this showdown.
Prediction
We are going with the experience once again and will be backing in the former champion, Angelique Kerber. She is back to peak form and has dominated most of her opponents in the lead up rounds to the Semi Final. She has regained the fire in her belly and should take care of Halep if she continues her rich vein of form.
TIP: Angelique Kerber in straight sets – Price not yet available
