Tennis News

Photo Ray Giubilo

One of the top rivalries of the past decade in women’s tennis will write the latest chapter in its storied tale, as top seed Serena Williams and 2004 champion Maria Sharapova cross paths once again to determine who will leave on Wednesday one step closer to being a Grand Slam champion. Of their 19 previous meetings on the tour, Williams dominates the head-to-head series against Sharapova 17-2, and holds a 16-match win streak against her Russian adversary. However, it should be noted that this is the first time that Sharapova will face Williams on grass since her fateful upset of Williams back in 2004 to win the Wimbledon title at age 17.

Once again, Serena Williams was forced to rally from a set down to dispatch the inspired Victoria Azarenka and arrive at the semi-final stage of the Wimbledon Championships. It was a phenomenal match, one that featured high quality play throughout the match before Williams found the 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory. She will next come up against her old rival Sharapova.

“I love playing Maria. I think she brings out the best in me, and I think I bring out the best in her,” Williams said. “We had a wonderful final in Australia. It was very entertaining. She played really well.

“For me, I don’t feel like I have any pressure going into this match. We both lost early here last year. We’re both kind of enjoying this moment and at the end of the day one of us will be in the final.”

Although things appeared to be smooth sailing for the first portion of the match, Maria Sharapova found herself in a third set against Coco Vandeweghe. She eventually downed the American 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-2.

“It’s a special feeling,” she said. “I had a really tough match last year against Kerber. Everyone looks at results, but I really felt like although I lost in the fourth round, my game on grass had really improved. I really felt confident. It was tough, because I felt a few points could have changed things around, and from then on you really never know how things will evolve and what chances you might have.

This marks the 20th time that Williams and Sharapova will cross paths on the professional tour, with Williams leading the series with a dominant 17-2 record, as well as 16 consecutive victories dating back almost a decade. Sharapova is capable of toppling her biggest adversary, but it is more a matter of self-belief than it is about her physical inability to overcome the 20-time Grand Slam champion. Yet to add to the intrigue, it should be noted that this is the first time that Sharapova will face Williams on grass since her fateful upset of Williams back in 2004 to win the Wimbledon title at age 17. This will likely be a match that goes three sets, but it is hard to imagine Sharapova edging out Williams on this very stage.

Prediction: Serena Williams in Three Sets

For more predictions, click Here: Tennis Tips

Click here for free tennis live streaming of ATP & WTA matches.

One of the top rivalries of the past decade in women’s tennis will write the latest chapter in its storied tale, as top seed Serena Williams and 2004 champion Maria Sharapova cross paths once again to determine who will leave on Wednesday one step closer to being a Grand Slam champion. Of their 19 previous meetings on the tour, Williams dominates the head-to-head series against Sharapova 17-2, and holds a 16-match win streak against her Russian adversary. However, it should be noted that this is the first time that Sharapova will face Williams on grass since her fateful upset of Williams back in 2004 to win the Wimbledon title at age 17.

Once again, Serena Williams was forced to rally from a set down to dispatch the inspired Victoria Azarenka and arrive at the semi-final stage of the Wimbledon Championships. It was a phenomenal match, one that featured high quality play throughout the match before Williams found the 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory. She will next come up against her old rival Sharapova.

“I love playing Maria. I think she brings out the best in me, and I think I bring out the best in her,” Williams said. “We had a wonderful final in Australia. It was very entertaining. She played really well.

“For me, I don’t feel like I have any pressure going into this match. We both lost early here last year. We’re both kind of enjoying this moment and at the end of the day one of us will be in the final.”

Although things appeared to be smooth sailing for the first portion of the match, Maria Sharapova found herself in a third set against Coco Vandeweghe. She eventually downed the American 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-2.

“It’s a special feeling,” she said. “I had a really tough match last year against Kerber. Everyone looks at results, but I really felt like although I lost in the fourth round, my game on grass had really improved. I really felt confident. It was tough, because I felt a few points could have changed things around, and from then on you really never know how things will evolve and what chances you might have.

This marks the 20th time that Williams and Sharapova will cross paths on the professional tour, with Williams leading the series with a dominant 17-2 record, as well as 16 consecutive victories dating back almost a decade. Sharapova is capable of toppling her biggest adversary, but it is more a matter of self-belief than it is about her physical inability to overcome the 20-time Grand Slam champion. Yet to add to the intrigue, it should be noted that this is the first time that Sharapova will face Williams on grass since her fateful upset of Williams back in 2004 to win the Wimbledon title at age 17. This will likely be a match that goes three sets, but it is hard to imagine Sharapova edging out Williams on this very stage.

© Ray Giubilo

Following impressive fortnights at the All England Tennis Club, Agnieszka Radwanska and Garbine Muguruza will cross paths for a fifth time on the WTA tour when they meet in the semi-final round of the tournament on Wednesday. The head-to-head series is tied 2-2, as Muguruza avenged her two losses to the Pole this season in Sydney and Dubai.

Radwanska continued her astonishing return to form when she defeated rising American star Madison Keys in three sets to advance to the final four at Wimbledon. It was another high quality contest, as the two players both hit extraordinary shots before the Pole was able to close out the match 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-3.

“I couldn’t feel any better, I’m just so happy I managed to stay in that match. It was very tight and I just tried to play it point by point, game by game,” Radwanska said. “That’s how you have to play it and in the third set one break was the difference.”

In the other quarter-final, Garbine Muguruza defeated Timea Bacsinszky in a battle between rising stars on the WTA tour. She won the match in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, following a tough opening set.

“I’ve seen a few of her matches this tournament and she’s playing great tennis,” Radwanska said of her upcoming opponent. “She’s actually playing very similar to Keys so I think it could be a similar match. “It’s the semifinals so, of course, there’s nothing to lose. All the players are playing great tennis. I’m just going to fight for each point and try to play my best. One day’s rest and I’ll be ready to go.”

The first two meetings between these competitors both ended in victories for Radwanska. She earned her first win at the Miami Masters I 2012, while the second victory took place at the Australian Open last season However, the Spaniard proved that she is not one to count out of tournaments, as she upset Aga in in Sydney and Dubai. This means she will be on alert for another potential upset on Wednesday yet grass should certainly be a surface that favours the Pole.

Prediction: Agnieszka Radwanska in Three Sets

Follow all the matches Here: Live Tennis Scores

Click here for free tennis live streaming of ATP & WTA matches.

Following impressive fortnights at the All England Tennis Club, Agnieszka Radwanska and Garbine Muguruza will cross paths for a fifth time on the WTA tour when they meet in the semi-final round of the tournament on Wednesday. The head-to-head series is tied 2-2, as Muguruza avenged her two losses to the Pole this season in Sydney and Dubai.

Radwanska continued her astonishing return to form when she defeated rising American star Madison Keys in three sets to advance to the final four at Wimbledon. It was another high quality contest, as the two players both hit extraordinary shots before the Pole was able to close out the match 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-3.

“I couldn’t feel any better, I’m just so happy I managed to stay in that match. It was very tight and I just tried to play it point by point, game by game,” Radwanska said. “That’s how you have to play it and in the third set one break was the difference.”

In the other quarter-final, Garbine Muguruza defeated Timea Bacsinszky in a battle between rising stars on the WTA tour. She won the match in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, following a tough opening set.

“I’ve seen a few of her matches this tournament and she’s playing great tennis,” Radwanska said of her upcoming opponent. “She’s actually playing very similar to Keys so I think it could be a similar match. “It’s the semifinals so, of course, there’s nothing to lose. All the players are playing great tennis. I’m just going to fight for each point and try to play my best. One day’s rest and I’ll be ready to go.”

The first two meetings between these competitors both ended in victories for Radwanska. She earned her first win at the Miami Masters I 2012, while the second victory took place at the Australian Open last season However, the Spaniard proved that she is not one to count out of tournaments, as she upset Aga in in Sydney and Dubai. This means she will be on alert for another potential upset on Wednesday yet grass should certainly be a surface that favours the Pole.