Australian Open 2016 Women's Semifinal: Kerber vs. Konta Preview and Prediction

The top half of the draw at the 2016 Australian Open went somewhat according to plan, giving us the first- and fourth-seeded players in that semifinal. 

The bottom half? Total anarchy.

Angelique Kerber and Johanna Konta are surprise semifinalists, beating the odds and taking advantage of a bracket in disarray. Kerber is the first German woman to reach this round in 18 years, while Konta became the first British woman to make a Grand Slam semifinal since 1983.

Regardless of the outcome, one of these players will reach the first major final of her career. So the pressure and anxiety in this match will be unfathomable.

Who will rise above and grasp the opportunity? Here's a breakdown of how they reached this point and what to expect.

Get ready for another unpredictable thrill ride.

Kerber at the 2016 Australian Open

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Kerber reacts after defeating Victoria Azarenka.

Kerber nearly exited the tournament in the first round, but she survived a taxing three-set battle against Misaki Doi and hasn't looked back.

Since dropping the first set to Doi, Kerber has yet to lose another one, winning her last 12. Her confidence soaring, the German is playing some of the most inspired tennis of her life.

Commanding victories over Alexandra Dulgheru, Madison Brengle and Annika Beck gave Kerber her first quarterfinal appearance at a major since Wimbledon 2014. She'd enter the match an underdog to sizzling Victoria Azarenka, with few anticipating she'd overcome the challenge.

Yet Azarenka came out flat, and Kerber seized the moment. In a 6-3, 7-5 slugfest, she played a much cleaner match than the two-time champion and earned her first win in seven matches between the two. 

Defying expectations is becoming routine for Kerber at the 2016 Australian Open.

Konta at the 2016 Australian Open

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Konta celebrates during an early-round victory.

After qualifying for her first Australian Open, Konta wasted no time sending a message.

In the opening round, the 24-year-old Brit earned a seismic win, toppling eighth-seeded Venus Williams in straight sets. That eye-opening performance was one of the top storylines in the first week of the tournament, and Konta would parlay it into more success.

Her next match ended in a dominant victory over Saisai Zheng, which she followed up with another straightforward result against Denisa Allertova.

The fourth round wouldn't be so easy for Konta, as Ekaterina Makarova pushed her to three sets in a tussle. But Konta held her wit, scratching and clawing back from the edge of defeat for a 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 win.

That three-hour epic didn't drain Konta before the first Grand Slam quarterfinal of her career, and she rolled past Shuai Zhang to book a spot against Kerber.

Who Has the Historical Edge?

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Kerber and Konta have never played before. Who has the edge in their first matchup?

These two players have never met before, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this surprise semifinal.

It'll be righty versus lefty, so expect there to be a feeling-out period at the beginning of the match. There's certainly a big contrast in styles, but both players like to be aggressive. 

With that lack of history between them, this interesting showdown could go in a number of directions. 

Biggest X-Factors?

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How will Konta handle the spotlight in the semifinals?

Without a doubt, the biggest X-factor looming over this match is the difference in Grand Slam experience between these two combatants.

Kerber has never been the most consistent player at majors, but she's reached this spot before. The German knows what to expect and may be better suited to dealing with the pressure that's sure to weigh on both women.

A semifinalist at the 2011 U.S. Open and Wimbledon in 2012, Kerber has waited a long time to get back to this stage. Will the third time be the charm?

Konta admitted to suffering from nerves earlier in the tournament, per Neil McLeman of the Daily Mirror, and she can't afford to let that happen here or her run will come to a swift end. This semifinal will put her mental toughness to the test, and how Konta responds could well decide the outcome.

Kerber Will Win If...

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Kerber unleashes a forehand at the 2016 Australian Open.

Kerber has broken serve at least five times in all her matches at the 2016 Australian Open, a notable feat considering she's only once been pushed to three sets.

Her proficiency as a returner is a valuable trait and one of the main reasons why she's advanced to this point. Kerber's ability to jump on the Konta serve is a key factor in this match.

Konta possesses a powerful serve, but that can also work against her. No stranger to double-faults, she tends to go for bigger second serves than most players. That's where Kerber can win this match.

If Konta is forced to hit a lot of second serves, Kerber is someone who can make her pay dearly.

Konta Will Win If...

Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Konta during her quarterfinal win over Shuai Zhang.

To win this match, Konta needs to remain mentally strong above all else. She can't let the enormity of the situation get the best of her.

It's never easy to predict how a player will react in his or her first Grand Slam semifinal, so her ability to deal with the pressure is paramount. 

As far as tactics go, Konta needs to dictate with her serve. The Brit's ability to hit powerful first and second serves can help her win free points and fend off break chances from Kerber. 

No slouch from the baseline, Konta will have to be patient and construct points rather than go for broke. Kerber will make her hit plenty of extra shots, so Konta would do well to play within herself and remain smart about when to be aggressive.

Prediction

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Kerber reacts after winning a point during her quarterfinal match.

Both women overcame long odds to reach their first Australian Open semifinals. Only one will have the right to play for the championship.

Give the edge to Kerber. After two previous appearances in major semifinals, she's well aware of the circus coming. And after experiencing heartbreak both times, Kerber is due to finally make a Grand Slam final.

Konta won't make things easy and has a legitimate chance to win. But the lefty game and stellar returning of Kerber will change the complexion of this match.

Prediction: Kerber in three sets

All statistics are courtesy of WTATennis.com unless otherwise noted. 

Joe Kennard is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @JoeKennard.