2015 FRENCH OPEN: Women's Semifinals Preview

Here are my predictions for the 2015 women's semifinals at the French Open. This year I correctly predicted 4 of 4 women's quarterfinals and correctly predicted 3 of 4 men's quarterfinals. I will try to predict the men's semifinals in a separate post.

Serena Williams [1] vs Timea Bacsinszky [23]. After surviving three consecutive three-set matches because she lost the first set, the World #1 finally had an easy straight sets win  (as expected) against Sara Errani  in the quarterfinals.

In fact, many believe that the hardest work of winning her third title at Roland Garros since she is an overwhelming 18-1 combined against the three other semifinalists (2-0 against Timea Bacsinzky, 8-0 against Lucie Safarova and 8-1 against Ana Ivanovic). However she still has to get there and complete the task at hand. This should be a relatively easy affair playing someone who is in their first major semifinal when you are playing in your twenty-seventh semifinal, having only ever lost three of those in her career. Serena is just so determined at the latter stages of a grand slam tournament that she basically steamrolls her opponents on her way to collect the trophy. Mad Professah's pick: Williams.

Ana Ivanovic [8] vs Lucie Safarova [13]. Ivanovic is in her first major semifinal in seven years while her opponent is in her second major semifinal in the last year. One of these two players will be competing for a major championship.

Ivanovic has been there three times before while Safarova has never reached that point before. This would usually indicate a clear advantage to Ivanovic but in addition to the occasion you have to deal with your opponent. Safarova has a 5-3 career head-to-head edge overall while the two have split their two clay court meetings to date. More importantly Safarova beat Ivanovic last year at Roland Garros in straight sets. The two have been on tour for a long time so they both know how important (and rare) these moments can be  during a career. However, I think that the fact that Ivanovic is the player who has previously experienced more success at this level makes it more likely that she will end up on top again. That being said, I would not be surprised that if Safarova plays with the same fearless abandon that allowed her to dismiss the defending French Open champion in straight sets she will indeed reach her first major final. But I think the occasion will prevent her from doing so. Mad Professah's pick: Ivanovic.