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US Open Semifinal Preview: Wozniacki vs. Kerber

Sep 7th 2016

Two women in the bottom half of the draw find themselves just one match away from the opportunity to vie for the women's title on Saturday.  On one side of the net is the red-hot Angelique Kerber.  On the other is a resurgent Caroline Wozniacki.  They are two well-known warriors in the women's game and are bound to throw in everything including the kitchen sink as they strive to reach the final. 

Angelique Kerber

There have been plenty of expectations on Kerber's shoulders to make good on her second seeding.  With the results that she put forth this year, most notably at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the Olympics, many have come to expect the German to make the business-end of any tournament that she enters.  She has born those expectations well throughout this event, coming through some tough matches without the loss of a set.  She will have to rise to the occasion again, however, if she hopes to get by the Dane.

Kerber knows she has to be ready from the start because she recognizes that Wozniacki can and is playing above her current ranking of Number 74.  Wozniacki is a former world no.1, who has twenty-three singles titles to her name.  She has also made her share of deep runs at the majors, and none have been a happier hunting ground for her than the US Open.  She has twice reached the final in New York, and based on her current form, a third trip to the final on Saturday is not out of the realm of possibility.

Another distinct possibility is that fans are going to have to settle in, as it is a near-certainty that there are going to be numerous long exchanges.  Neither woman has a huge serve and both have great returns, so there are not likely to be too many free, quick points.  And while Wozniacki has always been known as a backboard, she is facing someone in Kerber whose shot tolerance is equal, if not greater than her own.  The difference-maker could be Kerber's willingness to be a little more aggressive, use slightly more variety, and her lefty forehand does allow her to open up the court better.  Provided her strokes are firing on all cylinders, then she has the edge in how their overall games match up.

Caroline Wozniacki

As evenly-matched as they are, though, this contest could easily come down to a handful of crucial points.  It takes confidence and poise to win the majority of those prizes, and that is what adds another element of interest to this match.  Kerber leads their rivalry 7-5, but Wozniacki leads 5-4 on hard courts.  Wozniacki has also surprised everyone with her run to this stage and is able to swing away freely with no pressure.  Kerber by contrast not only has the pressure that comes with being the high seed and favorite, but she is also seeking the Number 1 ranking.  She is definitely a mentally stronger player than the one the Dane has faced in the past, but Kerber's nerves will be tested.

If Kerber can successfully manage those nerves, then she should get through to her third major final of the season.  The consistency of Wozniacki will certainly test the German's resolve, and given all that she has accomplished in her career, fans know that Wozniacki will not be intimidated by Kerber or the occasion.  But Kerber has more match play under her belt, has been red-hot all year, and at the end of the day, has the overall better game if only by a pinch.  If she brings her best, she will be playing on Saturday.