Tennis: We pick the Australian Open Women’s Semi-finals

Australian Open
Semi-finals - Woman

Osaka over Pliskova
Pliskova served beautifully in her quarter-final win over Serena Williams. She also fought like a tiger and played tactically brilliantly as she came back from down 5-1 in the third to win six games in a row, saved four match points, and moved into the semis. With all of those accolades, at 6’1”, Pliskova is a less-than-mediocre mover, and below par at changing directions. These deficiencies are going to hurt her in this match against Naomi Osaka. Osaka hits hard and deep, and has played herself into good form in this tournament and should be able to take care of Pliskova. I expected Osaka to be erratic here, but she has managed to win all her matches, and I expect her to move into her second straight Grand Slam final.

Kvitova over Collins
Lets all give Danielle Collins, the 25-year-old American, high-fives and and many kudos for reaching the semi-finals of this tournament. This is not only a career highlight, it represents the first ever matches she’s won in any Grand Slam tournament! That will end here. Although the one thing Collins is not lacking is confidence, the feisty (her word) two-time former NCAA Champion from UVA will run into her personal kryptonite in Petra Kvitova, who is playing the best tennis of her career. After sweeping to a championship in Sydney, Kvitova is undefeated in 2019 and her game is sharp as a knife. She’s serving well, she’s volleying well, and she’s competing as well as anyone. It sure helps when you’re at your best, and Kvitova is. The tall lefty will play for the championship here.