Wimbledon 2015- Ladies Semi-Finals Preview

Wimbledon is ready for the contest of four ladies from different nations

Here we are - at the semi-finals of yet another major Grand Slam tournament- Wimbledon. The third Grand Slam of the year has reached its business end.

We look at the key numbers associated with the journey of four semifinalists in this tournament.

Player profiles:

Semi Finalist #1: Garbine Muguruza- Spain: (Singles Ranking: 20)

Spain’s Garbine Muguruza playing Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky

The 21 year old Spaniard reached her career best round in Grand Slams by defeating Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland in the quarter-finals at the Championships. This is the first time she has reached a Grand Slam semi-final.

Semi Finalist #2: Agnieszka Radwanska- Poland: (Singles Ranking: 13)

Radwanska at her match against American Madison Keys

The 26-year-old was the first Polish player to reach a Singles Grand Slam Finals. This achievement also came at Wimbledon, but back in 2012. The last time she played the finals here, Radwanska encountered Serena Williams – a draw that might still be a possibility in this year’s tournament.

Semi Finalist #3: Maria Sharapova- Russia: (Singles Ranking: 4)

Sharapova during her match against South African Coco Vandeweghe

Maria Sharapova rose to fame when she first won the same tournament way back in 2004. This was only in her second year in Grand Slams. The next time she came close to winning this tournament after that was back in 2011, when she lost to Petra Kvitova.

Semi Finalist #4: Serena Williams- United States of America: (Singles Ranking: 1)

World No. 1 Serena Williams

Serena Williams would love to take a step towards winning all the four grand slams this year. She had already won two of them- Australian Open and French Open. The last time she won this tournament was back in 2012 and she would wish to correct the equation this time.

The Semis:

Match 1: Serena Williams versus Maria Sharapova:

Williams and Sharapova – winner and runner-up at the 2015 Australian Open respectively

Serena Williams had a relatively tough tournament this year. She had to overcome hard resistance from Heather Watson in the third round and Victoria Azarenka during the quarter-finals.

As expected, Serena bounced back on both occasions. She has been more expressive this season- heavy roars and grunts, powerful shots, jumping jack celebrations and high decibel levels. Every moment in the matches played tells you how eager Williams was to win.

Maria Sharapova had a relatively easy campaign – at least until the quarter-finals. She finished all her matches in straight sets except for the quarters and is likely happy to have been part of a tough contest before playing Serena to get the feel of the pressure. She would have looked at Serena’s struggles and how she made comebacks.

Sharapova will have to be at her best to compete with World No. 1 Williams.

Comparisons:

A comparison of performance at the overall level in this series doesn’t indicate much of difference:

Sharapova has a slight edge over Williams, having won 66 and lost 31, whereas Serena won 68 but lost 41 games.

The Russian typically takes time per set as compared to Williams, who plays a relatively quick set (44.91 minutes of Sharapova vs. 39.08 minutes for Williams)

But the huge difference is visible in the detailed statistics:

Sharapova needs to counter Williams’ powerful aces- she shot 55 off them this tournament so far in comparison with Sharapova, who could only manage 15.

The Russian ace does well at winning break points, which she needs to do more often if she is to have any chance in this contest. (52% break points won by Sharapova vs. 44% to Williams)

If Williams’ aces were as powerful, Sharapova should be wary of the number of double faults she committed in this tournament. She committed 38 double faults in comparison to just 11 by Serena.

Key Success Points:

Sharapova: Return Williams’ serves, commits fewer double faults

Serena: Win Break Points as soon as offered and Be wary of not to commit more unforced errors.

Match 2: Garbine Muguruza versus Agnieszka Radwanska:

Agnieszka Radwanska (L) of Poland and Garbine Muguruza of Spain

Garbine Muguruza has had a rather calm tournament so far. She has lost two sets and won ten, and was not challenged as much, at least until the quarter-finals. But her game improved as the tournament progressed. She is the youngest of all four players to make it to the semi-finals and she will want to take this campaign further ahead.

Agnieszka Radwanska has now reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon thrice in four years. She did not go on to win the tournament in either of those instances, however.

Having lost only one set in this tournament so far, Radwanska will take a lot of confidence from her last two matches: beating Jelena Jankovic and Madison Keys.

Comparisons:

Comparison of performance at the overall level indicates a slight edge in favour of Radwanska.

Both players tend to be focused on getting the first serve right rather than trying exotic shots as aces (21 of Muguruza vs. 15 for Radwanska)

Radwanska outweighs Muguruza at most of the key indicators:

1st Serve Wins (69% of Muguruza versus 74% for Radwanska)

2nd Serve Wins (46% of Muguruza versus 50% for Radwanska)

Break Points Wins (42% of Muguruza versus 46% of Radwanska)

But the key worrying fact for Muguruza is the number of errors she tends to commit.

Muguruza committed five times as many double faults as Radwanska and three times as many unforced errors. Muguruza needs to step up her game by a mile to contest the seasoned campaigner.

Who will make it the Finals?

Will Serena take a step towards All-Season Slam? Will Sharapova get ready to claim her second Wimbledon? Will Radwanska got past her Semis break? Will Muguruza surprise everyone?

We can only wait and watch as the tournament reaches the climax.