Australian Open women's semifinals preview: Li, Radwanska look to set up grand finale

The last few days Melbourne had been reeling with seismic shocks. Who had envisaged the fall of Serena Williams, the unanimous favourite before the quarter-finals, or the departure of Maria Sharapova the day after? Defending champion Victoria Azarenka too bid adieu to the Slam where she had reigned for the past two years. It has been an eventful Australian Open, even recalling glimpses of last year’s Wimbledon. Are we in for more shocks the remaining few days of the tournament, or will the higher seeds prevail now? Let’s have a look at the ladies semi-finals.

Li Na (4) v Eugenie Bouchard (30) (Head-to-head: Li leads 1-0)

Li Na

If there has been any player who has repeatedly shown consistency at the Australian Open, then that is Li Na. Since 2009, Li’s showings at this Slam read thus: two finals, one semi-final and a fourth round. Needless to say, this has been the most successful Major for the 2011 French Open champ.

With Victoria Azarenka’s exit in the quarter-finals, Li Na definitely now has the tag of the favourite, and the best chance to make it all the way. Coming off her most consistent season where she reached the No. 3 ranking, Li Na has always expressed her desire of adding one more Slam to her resume. And this year she has been a woman on a mission.

There was a minor hiccup in the third round, in the form of Lucie Safarova, when she faced a match point, but she overcame that hurdle and is now looking forward to her third final at Melbourne Park.

Her semi-final opponent Eugenie Bouchard is a precocious talent and one who is looking to take the new generation forward. She doesn’t have the experience but what Genie has instead is admirable too. She exudes true professionalism on the court and is absolutely composed – a sign that Genie has a sparkling future. The 19-year-old was brilliantly impressive in her dismantling of Ana Ivanovic and showed what a great mover she is. Mature and fearless, Genie will make this cross-generational match an interesting affair.

Bouchard is more confident using her forehand which she can make unpredictable by varying the pace and the spin. She should look to attack the Chinese fourth seed’s relatively weaker forehand as Li Na’s backhand is not one to buckle under pressure quickly. Also, with her tremendous athleticism, she can move Li around the court. Ultimately though, experience should have the last say.

Prediction: Li Na wins in three sets.

Agnieszka Radwanska (5) v Dominika Cibulkova (20) (Head-to-head: Radwanska leads 5-1)

Agnieszka Radwanska is the master tactician, the magician who is looking to ensnare you in her labyrinth. She did it against Victoria Azarenka and overturned a seven-match losing streak to the World No. 2. She is a refreshing anomaly in these days of big-hitting power tennis, and her reaching the Australian Open semi-finals is also a vindication that her brand of tennis can be taken forward. She is not one to get frustrated on the court and patiently waits for her opportunities, which is exactly how she routed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third round after being overpowered by her in the first set.

Her guile, deception, finesse are an absolutely treat to watch. Radwanska’s biggest asset is to be able to surprise her opponents by doing something different and unexpected. That can throw any big-hitting opponent off her stride including her semi-final opponent, Dominika Cibulkova.

The Slovakian Cibulkova is the second lowest ranked player in the semi-finals and is breaking new ground herself. This is her second career Grand Slam semi-final and the first one at Melbourne Park. After scalping Maria Sharapova, the diminutive Slovakian, nicknamed ‘Pocket Rocket’, has been bubbling with confidence and she brought it all out on the court against Simona Halep in the quarter-finals. Cibulkova is an extremely dangerous opponent for anyone if she keeps hitting her deep aggressive forehands at will. She has speed and athleticism and has no problem in retrieving low shots given her height.

Cibulkova managed a win over Radwanska in a thrilling final at Stanford last year and that has been her only victory over the Pole. She can find motivation from that amazing performance but with Radwanska’s biggest rivals already out, the World No. 5 would definitely not like to botch this grand opportunity.

Prediction: Radwanska wins in three sets.