Women's Semifinal Preview

The women's semifinals are here. In the absence of the top three seeds, one might fear that the semifinals would be lacking in drama, but the four women who remain all have compelling stories and any one of them can win it. After the jump, we'll preview each match.


Women's SF Number One: Marion Bartoli vs. Francesca Schiavone
It's two Western Europeans, as the Frenchwoman Bartoli plays the Italian Schiavone, with the winner getting a shot at the final. Bartoli, the unorthodox player who plays with two hands off each side, is looking to reach her second major final, the first coming in the 2007 Championships. Schiavone is trying to prove she is not a one-slam wonder after winning here last year. The one thing both of these players bring is drama. Let's take a look at who has the advantage where.

Forehand: Advantage Bartoli
Bartoli's two handed forehand is unique, but she makes it work with the spin and consistency. Schiavone has a much flashier forehand, but it can let her down much more than Bartoli's.

Backhand: Advantage Schiavone
The most magic seems to happen within Schiavone's one handed backhand, as it has consistently bailed her out of many tough points. She can hit it however she wants. Down the line, crosscourt, slice, or a drop shot are all ways she can use it. Bartoli's is good as well, but it is much more limited and is used as a rally shot.

Serve: Advantage Schaivone
This is a big advantage for the Frenchwoman, as she has used this shot to bail her out of trouble countless times this tournament.

Speed: Advantage Schiavone
Bartoli's movement really hinders her, and on clay, with a showwoman such as Schiavone, it becomes more of a disadvantage

Intangibles: Advantage Schiavone
This is the big one here. Schiavone has won here before and seems inspired to defend her title. Bartoli is carrying weight of France, albeit not as much as say Monfils or Gasquet, but it still is pressure. Also, Schiavone has come back from the brink off loss so much this tournament that one has to think she's not going to wilt under pressure. The jury is still out on Bartoli, but if she can overcome the nerves and take it Schiavone, she certainly has the tools to win.

Prediction: Schiavone in 3
It'll be drama filled, as most of their matches are, and Bartoli will have games where she looks like the best player in the world and Schiavone will look poor at parts, but Schiavone should pull this one out in dramatic fashion.


Women's SF Number Two: Maria Sharapova vs. Na Li 
This semifinal features a very clear contrast in styles. There is the loud (some may say extremely annoying), 6 ft 2, blonde Russian (She's really American, it was once said she speaks Russian with an American accent) who pounds the ball relentlessly, and on the other side of the court, is the 5 ft 8 Chinese woman who relies on
her superb defense. This is a classic puncher vs. counterpuncher match, which, when both are playing well, is always intriguing.

Forehand Advantage Li
Sharapova's forehand can be extremely erratic, but when it's on, it can be lethal. However, the clay gives Li the extra time to get it back, and it increases the chances of an error. Li's forehand, on the other hand, is very solid and shouldn't break down.

Backhand: Advantage: Sharapova
Sharapova's backhand is one of the best backhands in the game. Compact but powerful, she can do everything with it. Li's backhand is very solid as well, but in a backhand to backhand exchange, the advantage is clearly with the Russian.

Serve: Advantage Li
Sharapova's serve has certainly improved, and it is no longer liability it used to be, but Li's serve is much more consistent. She won;t out ace Li, but she has a much better overall service game.

Speed: Advantage Li
This might be the one area where Li is much better than Sharapova. Sharapova was once self-described as a "cow on ice", but she has improved. However, Li is so much faster and has so much better defense than Sharapova. On a clay court, this has to favor Li.

Intangibles: Even
While Sharapova has won 3 majors, compared to Li's 0, that was over two years ago, but Sharapova does have the experience edge.  Li is still riding high off her Australian Open final while, Sharapova has historically never had much success on clay. Another complicating factor is Sharapova's win in Rome, so she has shown much confidence, but the pressure of Roland Garros and the opportunity to win the Career Slam might be too much for her. This one is really up in the air.

Prediction: Li in 3
This match could go either way, but Li should be able to squeak by the Russian.