Two of 2014’s most reliable performers on the WTA tour, Simona Halep and Eugenie Bouchard will both contest their first Wimbledon semi-finals on Thursday.  It has been a remarkable year for both players, so much so that neither had made it past the fourth round of a Grand Slam at the beginning of the year.  Bouchard has reached the semi-finals at ALL three Grand Slams this year, meanwhile Halep made her first final at the French Open.  I couldn’t agree more with the tweet below…

Halep won the last 11 games of her quarter-final match to beat Sabine Lisicki, 6-4 6-0.  It was a sad end for Sabine.  Her love affair with Wimby runs deep, but it will still another encouraging run to make the quarters considering she had only won eight matches before this tournament.  It was another fine performance from Halep, who has looked in really great form in the last three rounds.  After reaching the French Open final, she has done a terrific job at backing that result up on arguably, her weakest surface.

Bouchard saw off Angelique Kerber for the second straight Slam with a 6-3 6-4 victory on No.1 Court.  I really thought Kerber would put up more of a fight, but she did look tired after her fabulous victory over Maria Sharapova.  Kerber’s second serve was dismantled by Genie, who was the much more aggressive player, dictating rallies much like their French Open match.  Kerber threatened at the end, but Bouchard is so mentally tough and is one of the best closers on the tour.

Halep v Bouchard is a match-up we’re likely to see a lot more of.  I think the contrast in styles will pave the way for a thoroughly engaging rivalry.  The pair played their first match at Indian Wells earlier this year, which Halep won, 6-2 1-6 6-4.  It wasn’t a brilliant match in terms of quality, but it was entertaining and competitive nonetheless

I REALLY CAN’T CALL THIS ONE.  I think it will go three sets and I think it will be a great match.  I’m making a prediction, but I REALLY DON’T HAVE A CLUE.  After watching chunks of both semi-finals, my gut instinct is that Bouchard will be the fresher of the two and if Genie gets a chance, she will take it.  Great match, ladies.  SO EXCITED.

Prediction: Bouchard d. Halep in 3 sets

Fantasy Tennis Update: Jared Pine leads still with Cosima_N in 2nd place and FJ in 3rd place.

TFF DreamTeam Update: The top three is the same as woo leads, julygrass is 2nd and Ray is 3rd.

Poll Results:  67% correctly predicted that Halep would beat Lisicki and 64% correctly predicted that Bouchard would beat Kerber.

Bouchard or Halep… Who you got?