US Open Womens Semifinal Betting Lines
Posted on September 9, 2005by Tennis-X Staff
(1) Maria Sharapova vs. (4) Kim Clijsters
The Belgian has won all three meetings with the leggy Russian for one reason -- Clijsters scrambles with the best of them, while Sharapova, who has reportedly grown another two inches this year, at times lunges and lurches like a baby deer. Clijsters defensive skills are simply amazing at times, while Sharapova is for the most part limited to hitting topspin forehands and backhands, which have admittedly served her well against most opponents.
Neither player is coming in on a good note, with Clijsters struggling against Venus Williams, and Sharapova coming off an error-fest with fellow Russian Nadia Petrova. Clijsters won earlier this season in a tight one in the Miami final, and look for this result to be the same.
(6) Elena Dementieva vs. (12) Mary Pierce
The Russian with the shaky serve has won both their previous career meetings, and Dementieva has shown improvement on her delivery, mixing things up effectively as shown in her quarterfinal win over Lindsay Davenport. Even if Pierce can give another clear-headed performance, Dementieva is more tenacious off the ground than anyone she has faced thus far. The two levellers for the meeting will be the Dementieva serve, which is averaging over 12 double faults per match at the Open, and Pierce's ability to take charge of points quickly and fend off the ghosts of choked slam matches past (see French Open final earlier this year). The fact that Dementieva could barely beat the uber-struggling Davenport was not a good sign -- give the slight edge to Pierce in a match not worth losing cash over.
(1) Maria Sharapova vs. (4) Kim Clijsters
The Belgian has won all three meetings with the leggy Russian for one reason -- Clijsters scrambles with the best of them, while Sharapova, who has reportedly grown another two inches this year, at times lunges and lurches like a baby deer. Clijsters defensive skills are simply amazing at times, while Sharapova is for the most part limited to hitting topspin forehands and backhands, which have admittedly served her well against most opponents.
Neither player is coming in on a good note, with Clijsters struggling against Venus Williams, and Sharapova coming off an error-fest with fellow Russian Nadia Petrova. Clijsters won earlier this season in a tight one in the Miami final, and look for this result to be the same.
(6) Elena Dementieva vs. (12) Mary Pierce
The Russian with the shaky serve has won both their previous career meetings, and Dementieva has shown improvement on her delivery, mixing things up effectively as shown in her quarterfinal win over Lindsay Davenport. Even if Pierce can give another clear-headed performance, Dementieva is more tenacious off the ground than anyone she has faced thus far. The two levellers for the meeting will be the Dementieva serve, which is averaging over 12 double faults per match at the Open, and Pierce's ability to take charge of points quickly and fend off the ghosts of choked slam matches past (see French Open final earlier this year). The fact that Dementieva could barely beat the uber-struggling Davenport was not a good sign -- give the slight edge to Pierce in a match not worth losing cash over.