New Haven Open 2012: Predictions for Epic Semifinal Matchups at Yale

The semifinals of the WTA New Haven Open at Yale are set to begin Friday, when a foursome of top-ranked female tennis stars will look to break through into the tournament final this weekend. 

Former world No. 1 and four-time defending New Haven Open champion Caroline Wozniacki will take on Russian hopeful Maria Kirilenko in the first semifinal, while 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will face off against Sara Errani in the second semfinal.

So, who will emerge victorious in Connecticut on Friday?

Here are my predictions for Friday's two epic semifinal showdowns in New Haven.

Caroline Wozniacki Over Maria Kirilenko

The No. 3-seeded Caroline Wozniacki has fallen off the radar over the past few months as her performance at the major tournaments has declined. She came into the year as the world No. 1, but her exits at Grand Slams in 2012 have come earlier and earlier since her quarterfinal defeat at the Australian Open.

None of that will matter on Friday at the New Haven Open, though, when Wozniacki takes on Maria Kirilenko in the semifinals.

The Dane has won the last four tournaments here dating back to 2008 and made short work of No. 6 Dominika Cibulkova in the quarterfinals on Thursday, winning in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1. Through three matches in Connecticut, Wozniacki has yet to drop a single set. 

On the other hand, Russian Maria Kirilenko comes into her Friday semifinal not having truly been tested at Yale. Kirilenko won her second-round match against Mona Barthel via walkover and has yet to face a seeded player at New Haven.

The two last met at the Sony Ericsson Open in 2010 in Miami. Wozniacki won that match in three sets. Just days before, Wozniacki had topped Kirilenko in straight sets at Indian Wells. 

On Friday, look for Wozniacki to emerge as the title favorite with an impressive straight-set victory over Kirilenko at New Haven.

Petra Kvitova Over Sara Errani

World No. 5 Petra Kvitova will be the favorite to reach the final of the New Haven Open on Saturday when she takes on Italian tennis star Sara Errani in one of two semifinal matches on Friday at Yale.

The two players last met at the 2012 Fed Cup last April, with Kvitova taking a straight-set victory. Kvitova has been impressive at the Open this week as well. She hasn't dropped a set and took down No. 8-seeded Lucie Safarova, 6-3, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.

Errani has shined as well this week, winning six straight sets to open the tournament. But the Italian's resume still pales in comparison to Kvitova, who has won a Grand Slam and made a plethora of deep runs in big-time tournaments. 

Sometimes in matches like this one, you have to go with your gut. Kvitova is the more accomplished tennis star in terms of singles play, and that's why she must be the favorite to win on Friday and advance to the final of the New Haven Open. 

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