Serena destroys Azarenka to win Madrid title

Serena Williams

Serena Williams claimed her second title of the year with a dominant 6-1 6-3 thrashing of Victoria Azarenka in the final.  It was a limp display from Azarenka who only showed very small glimpses of what she can really do on the court.  She served poorly throughout with 6 double faults, which is something you just cannot do against the bludgeon returning of Williams.  Serena was rarely troubled but offered a few chances to Azarenka who made some rash errors to let slip any chance of getting a strangle hold in the match.  

It was a disappointing final as many have been in 2012.  The most competitive final in the big events was the Radwanska/Sharapova match in Miami, and even that was two sets and nowhere near a classic.  Good riddance to the blue clay and hello to the red clay courts of Rome where the road to Roland Garros really kicks into gear.  Serena has definitely launched herself as the favourite for Roland Garros, but she will still have to prove herself on the red clay...

WTA Madrid: Azarenka v Williams Final Predictions

Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams set up a blockbuster final in Madrid.  In the semi-finals, Azarenka recorded her sixth win of the year against Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-2 6-4.  It was another disappointing performance from Radwanska who was given several chances by the world number one in the second set but failed to assert her authority on the match.  Serena produced a rock solid performance to get past the tricky Lucie Hradecka, 7-6 6-0.  The Czech player was hindered by an injury but put in a valiant effort in the biggest match of her career to date.  

Highlights from today's WTA semi-finals

The final will be Azarenka's biggest test of the season so far.  She has not played her best this week, but she has been clinical at the crucial stages of matches.  This has been the biggest improvement in her game and a large factor of why she is the world number one.  Serena has played very well this week apart from one poor set against Caroline Wozniacki in the third round.  Serena has won their last four encounters with the most recent win coming at the US Open last year where she overcame a late surge from Azarenka.  It will be fascinating to see how Azarenka copes mentally with playing Serena and I think it will be a very tight final.  However i'm giving the edge to Serena to triumph in three sets based on her form through the tournament and her superior serving.

Highlights from Serena/Azarenka's last match on the WTA tour at the US Open 2011

In the mens tournament, Tomas Berdych edged Juan Martin Del Potro, 7-6 7-6 meanwhile Roger Federer kept alive his hopes for moving to world number two with a straightforward 6-3 6-2 win over Janko Tipsarevic.  I think Federer will the final in a tight two set match...

Highlights from the Del Potro/Berdych semi-final

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.