Maria Sharapova, seeded first in the women’s draw for the 2007 Australian Open, moved into the semifinals for the third straight year with a decisive triumph over comrade and twelfth seed Anna Chakvetadze (7-6 (5), 7-5). Sharapova will play the winner of the Clijsters vs. Hingis match to see who will play the final in this year’s first Grand Slam.
Seven-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams willed herself to win her quarterfinal match against equally strong willed Israeli Shahar Peer. Williams managed to pull out a 3-6, 6-2, 8-6 victory. “I am the ultimate competitor,†said Williams. “Definitely ready to create some more carnage.†Amazingly, her world ranking will move from 81 to somewhere in the 30s following the tournament. Williams takes on Nicole Vaidisova in the other semifinal match tomorrow. Vaidisova is 17 years old and playing only her second Grand Slam semifinal. Vaidisova beat Czech compatriot Lucie Safarova to advance to the semifinal round (6-1, 6-4).
Will the fourth contestant in the Australian Open semifinals be Clijsters or Hingis…
Newsflash: It’s Kim Clijsters against Maria Sharapova, she defeated Martina Hingis 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
I know where I’ll be tonight. Two great semi’s. However long it takes I’ll be watching. Slams don’t happen that often so I don’t mind going to work a little tired the next day if I have to stay up into the wee hours to see who the finalists will be. I hope Serena wins–of course. I don’t want to see either of the other two semifinalists win it all. I know it’s Kim’s last year but–hey, I don’t care–I never really ever liked her. And you Know how I feel about Maria and her Nazi-ish father. Obviously though–the favorite seems to be from that half of the draw. Serena or Nichole winning is the more improbable–but you just never know with Serena–and hey, some players that are on the outside looking in at the elite, if they Do make it in to the elite–they all have that initial breakthrough win that elevates them. Could this be Nichole’s time? I don’t think so but… We’ll know in less than 24 hours.