Thursday, February 20, 2014

Williams sets up semi final showdown against Wozniacki


Venus Williams
Venus Williams had to overcome late nerves in her two sets win over Flavia Pennetta. Williams has been in impressive form so far in the tournament with straight sets wins over Elena Vesnina and Ana Ivanovic. The first set got off to an uneasy start for both players with three consecutive breaks of serves. Pennetta finally held her serve to move 3-1 up. Sensing the danger Williams broke back immediately and in doing so took the next five games to take the first set 63. The second set was going the former world number ones way with Williams serving for the match at 5-3 up and even had a match point. The Italian was however putting up resistance with great shots and manage to break back on her fifth attempt. Despite the late resurgence from Pennetta it wasn't to be as Williams broke again to take the match on her second match point. The final scoreline was 75 63.

Awaiting Williams in the semis will be 8th seed Caroline Wozniacki after her 63 minuet dismissal of Sorana Cirstea (61 62). Wozniacki was broken only once in the match and produced 62% of first serves in. Her winner-error ratio was 9-9 and she won 5/8 break points. This is a big confidence boost for Wozniacki after her dissapointing 46 57 loss to Yanina Wickmayer last week in Doha.

Going in to the next match it will be the first time they have played each other since Miami in 2008! Williams currently leads the head to head 4-0 but considering how long it has been since they have played each other. The head to head seems meaningless.

The second semi final will be decided later on today. Top seed Sarena Williams faces Jelena Jankovic while Carla Suarez Navarro plays Alize Cornet.

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