And here we are, with just six more matches left in All England Club. It has been an week and a half full of surprises - as it always happens, specially in ladies' draw -, so we can look at the draws and assure that we'll have a first time-finalist in both draws.
First, women's semis. The clashes will be Angelique Kerber vs Agnieszka Radwanska and Serena Williams vs Victoria Azarenka.
Despite the title itself, one of the main goals for players likes Radwanska and Azarenka is their possible comeback/debut for the top of the ranking. As long as Maria Sharapova lost in 4th round (vs Sabine Lisicki, who is specially "apt" for defeat the previous Roland Garros champion in the following Wimbledon tournament), both Polish and Belarus can possibly start next Monday as world number 1.
At the moment Vika is the one that has more chances of reaching the top again, after losing the #1 following Masha's victory in Paris. Azarenka just needs to reach the final or even if she loses in the semi, if Radwanska does the very same it will be the Australian Open champion who'll start July as top-ranked. Aga "just" has to win the Championship and her debut in the first place will become a reality; if she loses in the decisive match, she moves to the second place.
Well, let's talk about the semis. The first match is between the German Angelique Kerber - player with more wins this season - and the Polish Agnieszka Radwanska, already mentioned.
I watched Kerber's match versus Sabine Lisicki in the quarters. Both blonde Germans were very close of winning - Sabine even saved 3 MPs in the second set to force a third - and Angie used to be 3-5 down in the decisive. However, maybe due to an excess of confidence by Lisicki, Kerber was able to turn the match up and winning. I don't like very much her presence on court but she's really a top-10 player by now.
It's hard to predict this match; both players started very well the season but then Aga dropped her shape a few, when Kerber keeps winning. I think I'll go for Angelique, if she keeps focused she makes the final.
About the other match, it's a very interesting clash. Both former number ones Serena WIlliams and Victoria Azarenka will fight for the other place. Serena is getting her shape back and Vika isn't by now the player that dominated WTA in the first four months of the year, so I guess Serena will make her return to Wimby's final - after her last win two years ago.
In men's, the matches will be Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer and Andy Murray vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The main surprise is the absence of Rafael Nadal there; the last year runner-up lost in 2nd round to Lukas Rosol (first time since 2006 Rafa loses so early in a Major) and then it's now a certain that we'll have a first time-finalist in Wimbledon.
About the first match, it's almost impossible to predict. If Djokovic is the #1 and current champion, Federer is the former number and former 6-times champion, looking for the 7th. Nole is doing a good year but didn't win a single title in clay or grass so far, while Federer won in Madrid and reached the final in Halle. And there's another thing: if the Swiss wins his 7th, he'll be the world number one again!
It'll be a great match, no doubt. I'll go for Nole because he's my favorite and is the last year champion.
The second one will be less interesting at first sight, but it's also a very important one. Now that Rafael Nadal isn't there for defeating Murray like he did in the last three editions, the Great-Britain #1 needs to make the finals this year!!! However, there's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the other side of the net - he repeats last year semi-final, when he defeated Federer after being 0-2 in sets. It'll be very interesting to watch also, and I'll root for Murray to reach his 4th Slam final.
Pedro Mendes
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