US Open 2011 Women's Semifinal: 10 Things You Need to Know

After rain delays and upsets galore, we have come to the final four in the US Open on the ladies' side.

Caroline Wozniacki is still alive as she makes a bid for her first grand slam title and she will face the powerful Serena Williams.

Tenth-ranked Samantha Stosur will face unseeded Angelique Kerber in a match of two women who have never seen a grand slam title either.  In fact, Kerber has never been out of the third round of any grand slam until now.

It appears that we have two powerhouses on one side and two underdogs on the other.  In the end, the final is going to be an incredible match to watch.

Before we get there, however, I've got ten things for you before you make your picks.

There Will Be No Cinderella Story

I'm very happy for Angelique Kerber and I give her plenty of credit for getting this far.

Unfortunately, her road has just not been that difficult.  Flavia Pennetta has been her toughest opponent, and she comes in ranked 26th overall.

Now, she's facing a talented Samantha Stosur, and while I don't see how she'll get past her, her next opponent is Serena Williams or Caroline Wozniacki.  All are miles better than any of Kerber's previous opponents.

We all remember Maria Sharapova's improbable run to a Wimbledon title at the age of 17, but don't get your hopes up for this young woman from Germany. 

She's 15-18 in 2011 as a whole.  Her time in the US Open has undoubtedly been impressive, but Cinderella will stop dancing soon.

Serena Williams Is the Powerhouse of the Four

Everyone may already know this, but it's worth saying again.

First of all, you can look at the picture and understand that. 

When it comes to a 100+ MPH serve and lightning quick shots?  That's the power game.

That is going to have to be Williams' go-to move.  She can't win games with her footwork, so she will have to slap the ball the only way she knows how: HARD.

No other player comes close to her power.  I suggest, Serena, that you remember that very well.

Three Players Vying for Grand Slam Number One

I've said this once, but allow me to explain why this is something you should know.

Players and/or teams in any sport that are this close to their very first championship are going to play better than they usually would.  They have more momentum and passion than an opponent that's been there before.

That philosophy lies mainly with Caroline Wozniacki, given that both Angelique Kerber and Samantha Stosur (who are playing each other) have also gone without grand slam championships.

All three of these women are going to be playing with extra passion.  Watch for that passion to erupt in these games. 

We Have a "New York Yankees" in the Group

You could make an argument that both Williams' sisters belong in the "New York Yankees" category, but I find it just as easy to call one the Yankees and the other the Red Sox.

More to the point, Serena Williams is the powerhouse that all of the other three ladies want to take down.  No matter if she plays one more match or two more in this tournament, any opponent she faces has already placed a price tag on her head.

Williams has a target on her back, and she needs to be aware.

We Could See Further Rain Delays

Unfortunately, there is still rain in the New York forecast for the next three days.  How likely it is I'm not sure, but I do know that there's a chance.

I imagine rain affecting tennis players much the way it affects MLB pitchers (are we enjoying the baseball references?). 

Long delays and postponed games lead to tightness and irritation.  Not good for any player, male or female.

Let's hope it holds off.

Williams vs. Wozniacki Will Be the Best Match of the US Open

They've played before, and Serena Williams won 6-7, 6-3, 7-6.  Wozniacki missed out on three match points that night in 2009 in Sydney, Australia.

Now, in 2011, Wozniacki is ranked at the top of the world and is going to give Serena Williams the best match she can.  It's going to be a battle of the two top players thus far in Flushing Meadows.

Expect to see Serena Williams bring that intense power that I mentioned previously, and watch for Wozniacki to bring that "never say die" style to the court. 

This could be one of the US Open's most epic matches in recent years.

Samantha Stosur Can Play Spoiler

Samantha Stosur has seemingly come out of nowhere to come this far in the US Open.

That's not necessarily true—she's ranked 10th in the world.  The reason I say she can play spoiler is because everyone is expecting the winner of the other game to win the title. 

Not so fast, everyone.

Unlike Stosur's opponent, Angelique Kerber, she has faced (and defeated) some quality opponents.  Her victims include Nadia Petrova, Maria Kirilenko and Vera Zvonareva.  Those aren't players that are going to turn over and die.

Stosur doesn't have anything special about her style; she just goes out and plays good, hard tennis.  While we all know how good Wozniacki and Williams are, watch for Stosur to shock everyone.

No One Is Going to Outrun Wozniacki

This is pretty straightforward: Wozniacki is fast.

Moving around the court and getting to balls is what she does best.  This will irritate her opponents into submission and force them to beat themselves.

Serena Williams plays for power, and though we've seen flashes of good speed from both Angelique Kerber and Samantha Stosur, no one is going to want to challenge Wozniacki in game of back-and-forth volleys.

If no one plays power against her, Wozniacki will win.

The Best Player Thus Far Has Been Serena Williams

Like Kerber, Williams' opponents haven't been significantly difficult, but not to the same extreme.

Williams has yet to drop a set in the US Open.  This is so because she has come back to the WTA in top condition and has not missed a beat since her foot issues.

All of the other players in this tournament have dropped sets at one point, including Williams' opponent.  If she can continue to be this dominant, Williams will run the table.

Caroline Wozniacki Is Due

See that face after her victory over Andrea Petkovic?  That's a player that knows how close she is.

Caroline Wozniacki is the top-ranked player in the world and everyone has been wondering when she is going to get that first grand slam.  Having six titles this year without one major is scary.

It's almost like playing craps.  Everyone around the table keeps crapping out and you know that eventually, someone has to hit the point and win everyone some money.  In this case, how long can the top-seeded woman continue to be without a grand slam?

Wozniacki is leaving everything and then some on the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.  Her time has finally come.