I'm pleased to say I guessed 3 of the four semi finalists at the beginning of the tournament. Azarenka was the one disappointment and I truly hope that she will be both physically and mentally fitter for the 2014 season, where she will begin the year as the two time defending Australian Open champion! No pressure there!
Saturday's order of play:
Li vs Kvitova: Li hasn't lost a match at the championships yet, topping the White Group with a 3-0 record. Kvitova has won 2 out of 3, losing only to Williams in the Red Group. Li hasn't been in the semis here until now, another plus to what she considers to be her best career season. It could get better; if she wins this match she'll become the first Asian woman to crack the top 3! Kvitova is a former champion so knows what it's like to be in this position, whilst also having the benefit of only recently beating Li in Beijing in an electric 3 setter (www.2013wtabeijing.blogspot.co.uk). The head to head is tied at 3-3 overall and they often go the distance, so I wouldn't be surprised if this follows suit. I have a feeling Li's the fresher and more confident of the two and may become the first Asian woman to reach the WTA Championships final.
Williams vs Jankovic: Williams has powered through her first 3 matches to top the Red Group and has been deservedly guaranteed the year end number one ranking. In fact, Williams hasn't dropped a set at any WTA Championships since 2009 and is now on a 13 match win streak at this tournament! Jankovic is lucky to reach the semis, having won only one of her 3 matches in the White Group, but so did Azarenka and Errani. Ominously, Williams has never failed to reach the final of the WTA Championships when she has competed and not withdrew, as she did in 2007 and 2008 whilst Jankovic has twice made the semis but never further. Jankovic is actually one of few top players to have several wins over Williams, though Serena still leads 7-4, hasn't lost to Jankovic since Rome 2010 and just recently beat a somewhat injured Jankovic in the Beijing final. I can't see Jankovic being able to punch any holes in Williams's game and Serena will win in straight sets.
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