Right well now we are onto Day 10 of Wimbledon and now we really are getting down to the nitty gritty of the tournament, as today the last four ladies played out their two semi final matches.
So starting with the first one, which was between the World No.3, Agnieszka Radwanska and the world no.8, Angelique Kerber. On paper this match sounded like an intruiging match and a potential battle for both players. However it turned out to be quite reverse as Keber was for the most part outplayed by Radwanska, who put in another solid and consistent performance, with very unforced errors. Keber at times was able to get into the rallies and blast some winners past Radwanksa, but it ultimately short lived as Aga closed the barn door after breaking early in the 2nd set, as she served it out for a place in her first grand slam final, with an emphatic 6-3, 6-4 victory in just over an hour.
It has to be said that this match was a bit of a disappointment as Kerber clearly wasn't really up to the task of taking on Radwanska, even though in the first set, Keber got an early break, however after Aga broke back it was all about her. And overall it was a very impressive performance from Radwanska, and it shows just how consistent a player she has become, and her meteoric rise has been quite considerable since the beginning of this year. Although I have to say that I found her reaction to her win was very muted, as she mildly jumped up and down with a faint smile on her face. And yet Aga had just won the most important match of her career so far, so you would at least expect a bit more emotion from her! It was more like she had just received a nice bit of news like she had got a nice gift for her birthday, but this is a far bigger deal. But I guess that's how Aga is on court, as she has always had an icy cool demeanour and doesn't give away very much. Regardless of her apparent lack of enthusiasm (or outward enthusiasm at least!) Agnieszka has done exceptionally well at Wimbledon and she has certainly earned her place in the final where she awaits her next opponent. As for Kerber it was a pity she wasn't able to play her game against Radwanska, and it made for a rather short-lived semi final for her, but she will take solace in the fact that she reached another grand semi final, and her career is definitely moving in the right direction.
So onto the next match which was between Serena Williams, the four time Wimbledon champion, and the World No.2, Victoria Azarenka. And unlike the first semi final match, this one was far more competitive as Serena faced a determined Azarenka, who put up a good fight. However in the first, Serena put in a sublime serving performance, as she fired down ace after ace, and she broke Azarenka to take the first set. In the 2nd set, it went by service until Serena got an early break, however Vika soon fought back to level the scores, and play after that went on serve until the tiebreak, which was a tense affair, but at 6-6, Azarenka payed the penalty of hitting a forehand into the net. After this it was Serena to serve, and she made no mistake and fired down her 24th ace of the match to reach her fifth Wimbledon final, with the score finally reading 6-3 7-6(6).
After the first lacklustre semi final match, this one was definitely the better of the two, and both players provided some great entertainment for the crowd, with some great rallies and points. Vika also did really well to get herself back into the match, especially after being broken early on in the 2nd set, however she did struggle on her own serve, and her double faults really cost her in some of the key points. But Serena was the boss for pretty much most of the match, and she served unbelievably well throughout and its safe to say that her serve is probably one of the best in ladies game, and it really saw her through today.
So this sets up a very intruiging final between Serena William and Agnieszka Radwanksa, which will be a nice contrast in styles, the aggressor against the counterpuncher, or the ultimate server verses the ultimate thinker. So how do I think it will turn out???? Its really had to say, as both players have different strengths, with Serena she has one of the best serves in the history of the game, and a very powerful big game, whereas Agnieszka has a great deal of guile and ingenuity to her game and is one of the most consistent players on the tour. But if I had to pick a favourite then I would have to pick Serena, especially as she will be able to punish Radwanska's second serve, which is slow and vulnerable, and she also lacks power in her shots. However I think it will be a fairly tight match and hopefully for once we can have a 3 set final in the ladies slams this year.
And so this brings me quickly onto the men's semi final matches tomorrow, which will be a mouth watering prospect to the eyes and ears. The first match will be Novak Djokovic, the defending champion who takes on Roger Federer, former 6 time Wimbledon champion. There's no two ways about it, that this will be one of the most anticipated matches of the season, especially as the two men have never played each other at Wimbledon, so it really promises to be a real treat. However I personally think Djokovic can come through this one, but its not beyond the realms of possibility that Federer can win it, so whichever way it goes, its going to be a belter. But I think it will be Djokovic in either 4 or 5 sets. And as for the next match between Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, its also going to be a tough to decide, but Andy leads their head to head 5-1, and I would love to see Andy reach the final for the first time. And there is no question that this is his best chance to reach the Wimbledon final, but it will be far from easy as Tsonga will prove a very tough test, but I can see Andy coming through in 4 or 5 sets. I might be wrong, but I sincerely hope I am right!
Sooooooooooooo that is it for now, I will report back tomorrow, and here's hoping we get the result we all want. And there is no doubt I will be a bag of nerves tomorrow and it might be time to break out the valium during the Murray match! Whatever happens no doubt there will be some real Murray-drama on the go tomorrow, but hopefully it will come good for him in what could very well be a defining moment in his career.
So Andy I will wish you the very very very best of luck for tomorrow, as you totally deserve to win this match and reach the final, especially as you have worked so hard to get this far, and you can do it.
And on that sweaty palm inducing note I shall leave it there!
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