By Chris Davies
January 26 2005

As the quarter-finals proved some fantastic tennis we preview the semi-finals of the Australian Open 2005 to see what we can expect (7) Serena Williams (USA) v (4) Maria Sharapova (RUS)

Well here we go again has these pair meet for a third time in a major tournament. The younger of the two claimed victories at the Wimbledon final in straight sets and then in the WTA Tour Championships in three sets. This time round will probably be a little different but you can guarantee it will be a good match with lots of big hitting and lots of big winners. Sharapova will be seeking her second Grand Slam final where Williams will be bidding to recapture some respect on the tour and claim the title. Firstly the number 7th seed will need to despatch this fiesty 18 year old who has had a up and down fortnight and this match will be testing for Sharapova.

The Russian will be looking at doing what she has done the last time these both played and thats to outgun Williams and not allow long rallies in the match. Her serve will need to be in top form which has not happened consistently enough in this tournament and will need to battle the heat which again she struggled against in her match with Kuznetsova. The crowd may play a big part in this match has they don't really have a favourite and could potentially turn the match if needed by mentally attacking the players over line call disputes or grunting.

As for Williams a winner here way back in 2003 and last Grand Slam champion at Wimbledon the same here will be in top form and extremely determined and motivated to crush her opponent. She like Sharapova will need her service games to be quick but will get the upper hand in the long rallies has she is a fantastic dictator and knows how to move her opponents around the court enabling her to produce winners. One thing the American will need to be cautious of is her lapse of concentration which does drop occasionally in big clashes such as this one, if that happens then Sharapova could easily run off with a set or even the match.

But they are both in good form, Serena is by far the better athlete with Sharapova being the one with no fear playing her game and still has a lot to learn.

Serena Williams will win in 3 sets maybe even a straight sets win!


(1) Lindsay Davenport (USA) v (19) Nathalie Dechy (FRA)

This on paper looks very one sided but you have to consider the players fitness, experience and nerves which posses this clash has a tight fight. Davenport who played below par against Molik but eventually prevailing 9-7 in the third set will be very tired has she is also playing doubles. Dechy has had a relatively quiet passage through and has beaten Myskina and Schnyder which she should be proud off and will be thinking of upsetting even more top ranked players. All the pressure from France was on Amelie Mauresmo but it looks like Dechy is emerging and can go further than her higher ranked opponent.

A semi-final in a Grand Slam is like any other round to Davenport who has been in this situation so many times unlike her opponent who only reached her first quarter-final in a Grand Slam at this years competition. So the Frenchwoman will feel the nerves a lot I fear and could be steamrolled by the world number 1. No offence to Dechy who is the 19th seed, her lining up against Sharpova or Serena in the final would be a bit of a disappoint.

Davenport should have enough in the tank to overwhelm Dechy and hopefully will enough for the final.

The world number one in straight sets!