Tennis News

While one side of the Australian Open semi-final bracket will feature an all-Russian affair, the other side will now showcase a generational battle between top seed Serena Williams and rising star Madison Keys. This marks the first time that these two competitors will meet on the professional tour, and is set to be a thrilling encounter.

Watch the semi-final match here: Serena Williams v Keys Live Stream

Although Williams has had to dig herself out of 1st set deficits in her last two matches, she made quick work of her quarter-final obstacle, last year’s runner-up Dominika Cibulkova. She defeated her Slovakian adversary 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the final four with relative ease. This is also the American’s first time in the semi-final of the Australian Open since she won the tournament five years ago, and she will now play the future star of her nation.

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“She’s playing great,” Williams said of Keys. “I told her I was really happy that she did well. She’s in the semis. It’s good to see another American, another African American, in the semifinals playing so well. Regardless, there’s going to be an American in the finals, so that is great. It’s also great for me and Venus because we know that finally there’s other Americans that are constantly playing well and playing better, showing that they want to be the world’s greatest.”

Earlier in the evening, Madison Keys continued her remarkable fortnight in Melbourne with a three-set win against Venus Williams. She played half the match heavily bandaged but still managed to pull through from a 3-1 deficit in the final set.

“First of all, I’m very happy I’m into the semifinals, but the moment’s definitely sweeter being able to play Venus to get there,” said Keys. “I was trying to enjoy the moment, and I did, and I get to enjoy another moment in the next round!”

This is the first time that Williams and Key will cross paths on the professional tour. While the top seed is the unquestionable favourite heading into this match, Keys’ performances this week shine a different light on the youngster’s capabilities. If the injury does not hinder her, she could push the former champion to her limit.

Prediction: Serena Williams in Three Sets

A highly intriguing semi-final match-up is scheduled to take place on Thursday night on Rod Laver Arena, as British No. 1 Andy Murray and Czech No. 1 Tomas Berdych meet for the eleventh time on the professional tour. After humdrum season on the tour last year, both men have looked fantastic this past week in Melbourne and will be motivated to reach the final of the tournament. While Murray holds the better record at the Australian Open, he trails Berdych 4-6 in series. Check out the Murray v Berdych Head to Head.

Watch the semi-final match here: Murray v Berdych Live Stream

Tomas Berdych surprised the entire tennis community on Tuesday evening when he thrashed Rafael Nadal in straight sets to reach the semi-final stage of the tournament. Berdych dominated the encounter and survived a late comeback from Nadal to close out the match 6-2, 6-0, 7-6(5).

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Berdych’s win sets up an encounter with Andy Murray, whom he last played in the 2013 Cincinnati Masters QF, prevailing in straight sets. The British No. 1 and former three-time finalist set up the encounter when he defeated rising star Nick Kyrgios in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3.

In an interesting twist, Berdych will now possess the former coach and hitting partner of Murray, which he believes will be an advantage.

“Definitely it might be an advantage for us, but that’s how it is. And what is more important is, again, to be prepared for that match, to be ready, to set up the plan, and try to execute them on the court. Really the preparation is exactly the same like for all my past opponents so far here. I’m not going to change anything else with that. Just try to focus on my things and keep going for it.”

However, Murray is not bothered about that much. He is simply satisfied with his own performances and is motivated to complete his run this fortnight with a third Grand Slam title.

“I’m happy. It’s nice to be in the latter stages of a slam again,” said Murray. “I’m happy with that. Obviously we want to do the best possible, but all you can do is prepare as best you can, which I certainly did over the past few weeks and months, and have given myself an opportunity. Maybe I won’t play well in a couple of days; maybe I play great. I don’t know. But I’ve given myself a good opportunity again, and hopefully I can use it to my advantage.”

This marks the eleventh time that Murray and Berdych will cross paths on the professional tour, with Berdych leading the series 6-3. The Czech No. 1 has won their two most recent encounters back in 2013 and considering his current form, will likely be the favourite in this riveting affair. However, Murray is never one to count out from a match, particularly at an event where he is a former three-time finalist.

Prediction: Andy Murray in Five Sets

In a surprising turn of events, Simona Halep’s untimely exit from the 2015 Australian Open has opened the doors for an all-Russian semi-final match-up between Maria Sharapova and Ekaterina Makarova. The two competitors eased into the final four in straight sets and will now contest their sixth meeting on the tour. Sharapova leads the head-to-head series 5-0 and will be looking to maintain that undefeated streak en route to the final.

Watch the match here: Sharapova v Makarova Live Stream

While many anticipated a thrilling battle on Rod Laver Arena, the quarter-final match-up between Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard was entirely one-sided in favour of the Russian. She hit 18 winners, won 84% of her first service points and converted four break points to defeat her Canadian adversary 6-3, 6-2 in 1 hour and 18 minutes.

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“I knew I had to play a really complete match,” Sharapova said in her post-match interview. “She’s someone who really goes after it and goes after her strokes, so I knew that the second and third balls would be really important. I knew I had to take time away from her and be aggressive – I wanted to get in the rallies a little bit, but I also wanted to do something on my own first few shots today.”

Earlier in the day, the first of the two women’s semi-finals featured a surprising upset, as one of the tournament’s favourites, Simona Halep, was ousted by 10th seed Ekaterina Makarova. It was a complete blowout, as the Russian won the match 6-4, 6-0 in just 69 minutes. While she did not play a fantastic match, it was Halep who played well below her regular standard.

“I was playing my best tennis, so maybe in the second set she was a little bit upset – maybe she didn’t understand what to do,” Makarova said. “But Simona is a great player. She had such a great season last year and can always turn the match around, no matter what the score, so I had to focus.”

This marks the sixth time that these two competitors will meet on the professional tour, with Sharapova maintaining an undefeated 5-0 record against her fellow Russian. Their last meeting on the tour took place in two years ago in Melbourne – a match that Sharapova dropped a mere four games in. While Makarova is paying some fantastic tennis, she is unlikely to win more than a set against the No. 2 seed.

Prediction: Maria Sharapova in Three Sets