This year’s Australian Open women’s tournament has been thrown wide open with Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka all falling before the semi-finals in a Wimbledon-esque draw.  One thing for sure is that there will be a new Australian Open champion and a 75% chance that there will be a new Grand Slam champion.

Na Li

Na Li will take on Eugenie Bouchard in the first of Thursday’s semi-finals.  The arching storyline from this one is the breakthrough on the big stage by Bouchard.  The Canadian world number 31, who will crack the top 20 next week, defeated Serena-slayer, Ana Ivanovic in the quarter-finals, 5-7 7-5 6-2.  It was a match that featured plenty of twists and turns.  It was apparent that Ivanovic had a leg injury, which she had a MTO for, but I don’t think that should take away from Bouchard’s achievements.  I suppose a mis-conception is that Bouchard is a pusher, but the Canadian hit 47 winners throughout this match.  As I mentioned in my preview for the Ivanovic-Bouchard match, I like Genie’s mentality and it came through again today.  For such a young player, she seems surprisingly unphased in the crucial junctures of matches.  Admittedly, she has had an incredibly favourable draw, but I think every now and then you get a slice of luck with the draw and she has snapped it up with both hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj72JoATT5g

Since Li was pushed all the way by Lucie Safarova in the third round, she hasn’t put a foot wrong.  She thumped Ekaterina Makarova for the loss of two games in the 4th round and then lost just two more in another comfortable victory, beating Flavia Pennetta, 6-2 6-2 in the quarter-finals.  The Chinese star delivered up another fine on-court interview.  She really should be a comedian after she retires.  I couldn’t find her post-match interview from Tuesday, but the one after her win over Safarova was equally entertaining, which you can watch below.  I would actually class her as the favourite to win the title right now based on her form and the fact that she has had that scare, which I am making a big deal about, but I think is worthy of making a big deal!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQT3RPULr88

The pair played in Montreal two years ago when Bouchard was 17 years old and she put up a very respectable effort, going down 6-4 6-4.  There is no doubt she has come a long way since that match.  However Li is a different class to any player she has faced this week.  I think Li will win in two sets, but what I will say is this; If things get tight, then I could definitely see Bouchard winning a set and perhaps more.  We all know that Li can get nervous and Bouchard’s ability to plug away, get balls back and stay in matches could easily get Li on the ropes.  She is very much like a Wozniacki (from her #1 days) or a Radwanska in her ability to frustrate opponents.  Personally, I’d love to see Bouchard make the final because new players making breakthroughs is always fun and brilliant for the tour.  However, I have to go for Li to make a third Australian Open final…

Prediction: Li to beat Bouchard in 2 tight sets