Serena & Hradecka to meet in Madrid semi-finals

Lucie Hradecka

The semi-finals were all set in Madrid with three names you could have predicted, but one major surprise.  The qualifier, Lucie Hradecka joined Agnieszka Radwanska, Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams in the final four with a 7-6 7-6 victory over Sam Stosur.  There were no breaks in this quarter-final with rock solid serving dominating the match.  Stosur had a few sniffs at a breakthrough; she held a few break points early on in the first set and double faulted when up a mini break in the second set tiebreak.  There was barely anthing between the two but some fantastic second serve aces won the day for Hradecka.  She will play Serena Williams in the semi-finals after she eased past Maria Sharapova, 6-1 6-3 in a disappointing contest.

The second semi-final will see a sixth match of 2012 between Victoria Azarenka and Agnieszka Radwanska.  Azarenka came back from a set down to beat Li Na, 3-6 6-3 6-3, meanwhile Radwanska edged past Varvara Lepchenko, 6-4 6-4.  It is great to see a rivalry developing on the tour, but unfortunately it lacks the excitement because it is so one sided at the moment.  Radwanska has spoken out about not liking the fact she keeps getting drawn to play Azarenka; I hope she can adopt a more positive attitude to this match and really go out there and fight for a place in the final.

In the men's tournament, Roger Federer is the last of the big four standing as Novak Djokovic was beaten by Janko Tipsarevic, 7-6 6-3.  Federer continued his dominance over David Ferrer with a 6-4 6-4 victory.  The second semi-final will see Tomas Berdych take on Juan Martin Del Potro after both came through their quarter-finals in straight sets.

Highlights from the Del Potro/Dolgopolov quarter-final

WTA Semi-final Predictions:

Victoria Azarenka to beat Agnieszka Radwanska in 2 sets

Serena Williams to beat Lucie Hradecka in 2 tight sets

ATP Semi-Final Predictions:

Roger Federer to beat Janko Tipsarevic in 2 sets

Juan Martin Del Potro to beat Tomas Berdych in 3 sets

WTA Predictions - My predictions have petered out as Li was knocked out by Azarenka.  I predicted Radwanska to reach the final but do not hold much hope right now!

ATP Predictions - I correctly predicted Del Potro making the semi-finals, but my final is all over with Djokovic being beaten today!

I will be switching my attention to Rome soon where the women's draw will be completed tomorrow.