US Open Women's Semifinals Preview

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)[1] v Vera Zvonareva (RUS)[7] -- Through the first five matches she's played at this US Open, the top seed has fit Caroline Wozniacki quite well (definitely better than that dress).  She's played confident, consistent tennis, and except for some mild frustration in the wind against Cibulkova, hasn't let anything rattle her.  She possesses the ability to never beat herself, which is worth an incredible amount in the WTA.  But Vera Zvonareva is also playing the best tennis of her career, and won't back down easily.  Wozniacki beat Zvonareva 6-3, 6-2 in the finals of Montreal only two weeks ago, but that match was played the same day as the semifinals were due to rain, so it might not be entirely indicative of what's going to happen.  What makes me think that Wozniacki is going to win this match is her incredible performance that she turned in against Maria Sharapova in Monday's fourth round.  Sharapova hit some double faults, sure, but I see no way that Zvonareva is able to hit more powerfully or consistency than Sharapova could.  Prediction: Wozniacki in 2.

Venus Williams (USA)[3] v Kim Clijsters (USA)[2] -- The two have played twice during this most recent Clijsters incarnation, both on American hard courts, and both times with Clijsters coming out victorious.  As telling as that should be, there are some definite asterisks to be found if you're looking.  Williams was injured in their more recent encounter (the Miami final), and the early one was a 6-0, 0-6, 6-4 roller coaster that wasn't good for anything but causing seasickness.  The two look to be pretty even in their form this tournament as well, with Clijsters at her most convincing against Ana Ivanovic, and Venus at her most convincing against Francesca Schiavone.  If the wind is as bad it has been the past two days, I think that helps Clijsters, who is much more willing to reel in her shots than is the always low-margin Venus.  I don't have much of an idea who will win, but I am sure it will be phenomenal stuff.  The two previous times a Belgian faced a Williams in the semifinals of the US Open (Venus-Henin 2007 & Serena-Clijsters 2009), it was the match of the year.  Let's hope this edition can live up to that. Prediction: Clijsters in 3.