We got to the ladies final act with 2 completely different semifinals.
On one side Li Na trashed the favorite Sharapova 6-2 6-2 playing an amazing tennis. On the other side the favorite Azarenka won a very controversial match with Sloane Stephens without playing at her best.
Our pick
In theory we should go for Azarenka for a couple of reasons. First, she is the world no.1 (!!!!), second and most important she won the last 4 matches with Li Na.
But we go for Li Na for another couple of reasons. First she is really in the zone (see her trash to Queen Sharapova). Second Vika might be really injured (we still do not fully understand where, but she might be). Third Vika’s morale is not really sky high after all the controversy about her quirky medical timeout against Sloane Stephens.
We predict Li Na in straight set. But you’ll never know as women’s tennis is very volatile… Do not ask to Tsonga the reason for that 😉
Head to Head
Azarenka leads 5-4, but li Na leads 2-0 in Slams where she won always in straight sets.
2012 Istanbul | Hard | Azarenka | Na Li | 7-6(4) 6-3 | Robin |
2012 Madrid | Clay | Azarenka | Na Li | 3-6 6-3 6-3 | 1/4 |
2012 Sydney | Hard | Azarenka | Na Li | 6-2 1-6 6-3 | Final |
2011 Istanbul | Hard | Azarenka | Na Li | 6-2 6-2 | Robin |
2011 French Open | Clay | Na Li | Azarenka | 7-5 6-2 | 1/4 |
2011 Australian Open | Hard | Na Li | Azarenka | 6-3 6-3 | Fourth |
2010 Montreal | Hard | Azarenka | Na Li | 6-3 6-3 | Third |
2009 Tokyo | Hard | Na Li | Azarenka | 7-6(7) 4-6 7-6(4) | 1/4 |
2008 Gold Coast | Hard | Na Li | Azarenka | 4-6 6-3 6-4 | Final |
From fans
Their last match in Istanbul