The 2013 US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the season has only few days left before its conclusion. The 128 players in the women's draw has been trimmed down to its final four who will battle out its place into the championship round. With No.2 seed Victoria Azarenka taking on unseeded semifinalist Flavia Pennetta and defending champion and No.1 seed Serena Williams will take on No.5 seed Li Na. Who will prevail and book its spot to the finale?
The Semifinals #1
Azarenka vs. Pennetta: The last time they played on hard court at 2011 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships round of 16, it was Pennetta who emerged victorious, a three-set hard fought match. Azarenka, then was making her name into the elite. But Azarenka now is more of a consistent, complete, and a top player who can thrash her opponents in a very convincing manner.
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| Victoria Azarenka | Flavia Pennetta |
Meanwhile, Pennetta is not new to this grandest stage as she reached quarterfinals in 2009 US Open. Her Cinderella story continuously impressed everyone with her ability to knocked off top players despite making a comeback due to her injury. Well, her effort really paid off and her she is now, battling it out for a place in her maiden Grand Slam finale. How long can she keep it up?
Azarenka struggled to get through to the semifinal stage and once on the verge of losing against Ana Ivanovic. But her experiences on how to win tight matches has been used to its full effect. Pennetta, on the other hand, has been a dangerous dark horse. Her wins over No.4 seed and fellow Italian Sara Eranni, two-time and former US Open Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, one of the hottest player on tour this year Simona Halep, and No.10 seed and another fellow Italian Roberta Vinci is as convincing as not yet dropping a set.
Now, fighting for one of the two spots in the finals, one will have a chance to be crowned the 2013 US Open Champion. This is a battle between a player with a strong fighting spirit and a player with growing confidence and nothing to lose. Both have etched one match win to their name, this match will decide who will take the lead. One have tasted the glory of Grand Slam success and the other is ultimately considered an underdog who might come out on top.
Finalists: Azarenka
The Semifinals #2
Williams vs. Li: Just before the 2013 US Open kicks off, Williams played Li in the semifinal round of the 2013 Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. Expectedly, Williams won the match 7-5|7-5, but Li gave Williams a very decent match. Though Williams went on to lose the title match to eventual champion Azarenka, the match itself was a good preparation for the last Grand Slam tournament of the year.
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| Serena Williams | Li Na |
Well, it can easily be said that Williams will win this match, but I think and extra careful is necessary. Yes, the No.1 seed and defending champion has been thrashing her opponents and schooled every single of them on how to play the game. She hasn't quite been tested yet. Her quarterfinal match against No.18 seed Carla Suarez-Navarro, who has a pretty good US Open performance, ended up in a scoreline 6-0|6-0.
Unlike her opponent, No.5 seed Li has been tested to display all her weapons and abilities. Her third round match against No.30 seed Laura Robson came with a vengeance. But her real test came against No.24 seed Ekaterina Makarova in which she has to work hard for a three-set victory, 6-4|6-7(5-7)|6-2.
Like Pennetta against Azarenka, Li is also considered an ultimate underdog. With a daunting task at hand, this match is a real deal and facing Williams for a spot in the final is a serious business. This is the 10th meeting between the two, with Li won only one match in nine meetings against Williams. The head-to-head record might be a big factor how easy to choose Williams to win this match, but that can be a tricky one.
In nine meetings between Williams and Li, eight of them are played on hard courts. Three of these matches has gone to three sets. The five matches are straight set victories consist of five tiebreaks, including their last match with both sets were won with seven games each. Therefore, Li can give Williams a run for her money.
This is a very anticipated match with Williams might be facing her huge test. But we all know Williams knows how win big matches like this and a rare win for Li might be too rare to achieve as she once again given another attempt.
Finalists: Williams
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