The happy slam is wrapping up in Melbourne. Here is OhCamp women's side outlook.
1. Elena Rybakina vs. Victoria Azarenka
It is going to be a very exciting and competitive match to watch. Both of them were the slam champions; 2 times AO champion back in 2012-2013 for Azarenka and last year Wimbledon champion for Rybakina. Both of them are big hitters and great movers. Rybakina has a bigger serve than Azarenka but Azarenka is great in changing direction of the balls and can rally longer. Their paths through the semis by winning over many big names are also impressive; Rybakina took down Collins, the AO’s finalist last year in round 3, Swiatek, 3 times grand slam champion and world No. 1 in round 4, and Ostapenko, the former French Open champion in the quarterfinals. Azarenka’s route to the semis was not easy either; she defeated Keys(10) in round 3, Kenin, a former AO champion in the first round and Pegula(3), a hot contender for the title this year in the quarterfinals.
Regarding their recent forms, I will put Rybakina in the front; Rybakina wins in 3 sets.
2. Aryna Sabalenka vs. Magda Linette
These two players met 2 times and Sabalenka won both. Sabalenka, the world No. 5, was the favorite in this event from the beginning since she was in this stage; grand slam quarterfinals, two times and this year is her third try. She is one of the most powerful hitters of women players and when she is on, no one cannot stop her. Her form coming to AO this year is obviously dangerous to any opponent compared to her last year’s poor performance in which the number of double faults surpass the number of aces. She started the year by winning the title in Adelaide before coming to the AO. Linette, on the other hand, became a giant killer for this event regarding her results coming through to the quarterfinals; defeating big names like Kontaveit (round 2), Alexandrova ( round 3), Garcia (round 4) and Pliskova in the quarterfinals. Being in the semi finals of AO is her highest run of her career at the age of 30. She will have a difficult time trying to overcome Sabalenka’s power to win this important match. Sabalenka could win in 3
Stay tuned for the up-coming men semi final AND as always, enjoy tennis everyone!!!