Rogers Cup Tennis: Super Semis Set, eh?!

Host city Toronto couldn't have asked for a better Semifinal match-up between Serena Williams and Elena Dementieva. The match-up taking place this afternoon could easily be the match of the tournament if memories of their Wimbledon clash are able to wash ashore today.

Serena, doing this without her sister Venus who crashed out early is looking strong in Toronto. She needs to be, the U.S. Open is only weeks away and the Toronto/Montreal/Cinci week for women and men signals your final preparations before the last major of the year. This could be a great clash of the titans today. Elena who is serving better, is a superior physical player from her former self can keep up with Serena. In fact, when she's on, she one of the few who can actually dominate Serena physically. It doesn't always happen, but I'm banking on a strong Dementieva today to give Serena all she can handle. Expect three sets of fun.

The other side has the surprise Klaybanova taking on Maria Sharapova, our favorite on-court screamer. I missed out on Klaybanova's gruelling victory over Jankovic in the previous round, so I can't give too much on her...Sharapova on the other hand has been televised here in Toronoto regularly...In my mind, she clearly has some improvement to return to her old self, but she's looking strong, yelling even stronger, and has showed more guts over the past few months than I honestly thought she had. Sharapova should prevail here, which will make for an entertaining final no matter who prevails between Williams and Dementieva.

Tennis Canada can put on a smile this year after hosting a brilliant men's event in Montreal, shattering one week ticket sales record (for ANY event), and having one of the best draw development of any tournament in 2009. The women's side has held its own as well and that's great for the future of tennis in Canada.

Enjoy the tennis today!
MarkOskar