Australian Open 2012: Predictions for Day 11's Marquee Matches

It's going to be an exciting Friday at the Australian Open. The day includes both women's semifinals and the first men's semifinal, which features superstars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. So there should be great tennis on Day 11.

Here are predictions for each of the day's marquee matches.

Kim Clijsters vs. Victoria Azarenka

Clijsters is the defending champion and has looked terrific returning to the semis. Her continued success is further proof that tennis is just as much of a mental game as it is a physical one. She doesn't hit the ball harder than everybody, but she truly believes she can wear down anybody on tour.

That makes her a good measuring stick for Azarenka, who is trying to make her Grand Slam breakthrough down under. It's just her second major semifinal, but a dominant final two sets against Agnieszka Radwanska shows she's ready to take the next step to elite status.

Prediction: Azarenka in three sets.

Maria Sharapova vs. Petra Kvitova

This battle could very well turn out to be the best match of the entire tournament on the women's side. It appears Sharapova has finally fixed the serving woes that have plagued her for so many years. Without that issue holding her down, she's once again a feared opponent.

Kvitova is one of the sport's fastest rising stars. She illustrated her eye-popping ability by winning Wimbledon last year. And she's proven to be more consistent than Sharapova, which should give her the edge and move her one step closer to another major title.

Prediction: Kvitova in three sets.

Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal

Tennis fans around the world pinpointed this matchup when the draws first came out as one that could be special. Both guys cruised through the early rounds to ensure it would happen. Nadal has won 17 of their 26 meetings, but Federer won the most recent one.

Even though Nadal has been able to fight through some nagging injuries so far, Federer showed against Juan Martin Del Potro that it's going to take an amazing performance to beat him. I simply don't think Nadal will be up to that task this time around. It won't be easy, but FedEx advances to another Final.

Prediction: Federer in four sets.