Australian Open 2015: Predictions for Top Stars in Day 11 Singles Draw
While getting to the semifinals of the Australian Open is an accomplishment of itself, every player remaining in the competition believes they can win it all.
At this point, it doesn't matter whether there is a No. 1 next to your name or nothing at all. It only matters who plays the best and brings the most energy to the court.
By the end of Thursday's action, we will know three of the four singles finalists, with only the semifinals match between Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka still to play. The question is, which competitors will get that next win and keep the dream of a 2015 title alive?
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Here is a look at the three singles matches set to take place on Day 11 at Rod Laver Arena.
No. 10 Ekaterina Makarova vs. No. 2 Maria Sharapova
Although she might not get the attention of some bigger names on tour, Ekaterina Makarova is having an outstanding tournament in Melbourne. The Russian not only has five singles wins, but she hasn't dropped a single set to this point.
The most important factor in her win over Simona Halep was the ability to come through at the biggest times. Makarova won five of her six break chances while also saving eight of her nine break points against her.
These battles led to a much easier win than it should've been against a top opponent. Unfortunately, things might be much tougher against fellow Russian Maria Sharapova.
As Juan Jose Vallejo of RollingStone.com notes, the No. 2 seed has had the upper-hand in past matches:
Sharapova is also getting better as this tournament goes on, winning her last three matches while dropping only 10 total games against three seeded players. Although her play has been far from perfect, she has what it takes to continue her recent success with another win against Makarova.
Prediction: Sharapova wins 7-5, 6-2
No. 1 Serena Williams vs. Madison Keys
Hello, my name is Serena Williams. You knocked out my sister, prepare to die.
Alright, Williams is unlikely to actually kill Madison Keys after eliminating Venus Williams in the quarterfinals, which removed the possibility of a semifinal matchup between the two sisters. However, the No. 1 seed is likely going to want some vengeance on the court.
After her dominant straight-set win over Dominika Cibulkova, it certainly seems like she will have an easy time against the unseeded Keys. Still, it's important not to overlook the 19-year-old American.
Keys has already defeated three seeded players at this tournament, including a two-set victory over No. 4 Petra Kvitova. Against Venus, she took advantage of the veteran's errors and attacked her opponent's second serve.
She also knows it will take a lot of focus against the top seed in this tournament, via Nick McCarvel of USA Today: "It's just one of those things where I have to go out, and I have to do my best and really just have to stay focused on my side of the court, because she's obviously very, very good. So if I get too focused on what she's doing I think I can kind of let the moment get away from me."
At the very least, she will turn this into a close match that should go three sets. However, Williams is still stronger than anyone Keys has faced and should be able to fire plenty of winners to earn the victory.
Prediction: Williams wins 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
No. 7 Tomas Berdych vs. No. 6 Andy Murray
Tomas Berdych had lost 17 matches in a row against Rafael Nadal before finally getting the monkey off his back with a straight set win over the Spanish star.
According to Ben Rothenberg of The New York Times, this puts him in rare territory for this generation:
Meanwhile, the latest victory wasn't even that close when you look at it:
Berdych is still yet to drop a set at this tournament and seems to be getting better every round, especially with his serve. Over the last three matches, the Czech star has 47 aces with only four double faults.
This will be a problem for Andy Murray, who was able to rely on his experience to get past Nick Kyrgios but won't have that advantage this time around. Although he will be able to win plenty of games with his serve, he will struggle to force any breaks in the semifinals.
Murray has reached the finals at the Australian Open three times in the last six years, but he will fall short this time.
Prediction: Berdych wins 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
