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AUS 2014 Semis

Aus 2014 Semis

Clearly, all the semifinalists are in good form to make it this far...

Cibulkova can blast ANYone off the court.  Will she stay in the zone to do so?  If she's not in the zone, we can get love and love, like in Sydney 2013.  Aggie Radwanska will probably make it close... with her creativity and problem-solving I don't see her getting blown out.  How will Cibulkova react to a close match?  I'll guess she'll be nervous.  Cibulkova can win this if she keeps her head down and blasts away.  But I'm guessing Aggie will get into her head.  Aggie in 3

Bouchard has looked mentally strong, aggressive, and her game has looked efficient and weakness-free.  She's won the final set going away in each of her last 3 matches (62, 60, 62) - like she needed to problem solve her way through and then, once figured, put the hammer down.
Li has looked invincible in her last 2 matches, surrendering only 6 games in 4 sets.  Bouchard's lack of weakness could get frustrating for Li and allow the Canadian into the match.  Li will be more penetrating from the ground, Bouchard has a penchant for more net play.  I think Li will be able to keep Bouchard off balance enough to win in 3.

When Berdych is on, it is sublime--effortless power to the corners--he looks impossible to beat.  But if he's pushed, the fall to mortalhood can be rapid.  He had a cakewalk to the quarters and there faced a game but aging Ferrer.
Wawrinka got a 1R ret and a 3R w/o to ease his passage, but has overcome 2 high quality opponents since (Robredo, Djokovic).  I definitely see him as capable of pushing Berdych, the question is, will he have a let down after the victory against Djokovic?  I think he will, but will find his way through it as the match progresses. I see Berdych taking the first set and one other, but ultimately Stan prevails in 5.

Federer is clearly reborn.  Will he have the nerve to continue with his aggressive net play circa Wim 2003?
Rafa struggled against Nishikori and can thank Dimitrov for blowing an easy sitter to take a 2 sets to one lead.  But Rafa ultimately overcame both those opponents and is returning to dominant form.  He knows exactly what to do against Federer.  Federer will fight gamely for awhile, but will eventually let Nadal into his head, lose belief, and go down to Rafa in 4.

Eventual champions:  Li and Nadal

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