As Luxembourg finishes on Saturday, the other four draws this week will feature semi-final action.  In Moscow, doubles partners Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Lucie Safarova are the only seeds left and could meet in the final.  As always, Moo’s Tennis Blog is rooting for Lucie to go all the way! Grigor Dimitrov hit a pair of incredible shots in his quarter-final match in Stockholm (see HERE), meanwhile Andy Murray and David Ferrer are zoning in on a final in Vienna.  Here’s some thoughts about the semi-finals…

WTA Moscow:

Photo by Omar Boraby

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova d. Katerina Siniakova in 2 sets: Siniakova has had a stunning week in Moscow, defeating Elena Vesnina, Kristina Mladenovic and Camila Giorgi.  Pavs has reached her first semi-final since winning Paris all the way back in February.  Siniakova is a player to watch out for in 2015, but I don’t think she will have much left in the tank against Pavs having also come through three rounds of qualifying.

Lucie Safarova d. Irina-Camelia Begu in 2 sets: I nearly went for Begu in this one.  Whenever I go against Lucie, she normally does well!!!!! This is Lucie’s second semi-final of the year, her first being at Wimbledon.  A final appearance (or even the title) would be the perfect way to close out what has been her best year on the tour.  Begu has had a super week so no match is a given… but come on Lucie! 🙂

ATP Moscow:

Ernests Gulbis d. Roberto Bautista Agut in 3 tight sets: Bautista Agut and Gulbis have had history (see HERE).  This should be interesting.  Despite struggling since the French Open, I fancy Gulbis to come through.  Going in his favour, Gulbis has never lost to RBA in three previous matches.

ATP Stockholm:

Grigor Dimitrov d. Bernard Tomic in 2 sets: Both needed three sets to win their quarter-finals.  Tomic defeated Fernando Verdasco after being dropped a first set bagel… seems about right! Dimitrov also lost the first set of his quarter-final to Jack Sock, but rebounded well.  I think Dimitrov will be too solid for Bernie.

ATP Vienna:

Andy Murray d. Viktor Troicki in 2 tight sets: Troicki has made a brilliant comeback on tour; since coming back to the tour after a drugs ban, Troicki has posted a 37-7 W-L record, which has included winning two Challenger titles in Como and Banja Luka.  Murray is going all out for the World Tour Finals and if Nadal pulls out, he should make it.  His form has improved significantly in the fall and I expect to him be too strong for Troicki.

David Ferrer d. Philipp Kohlschreiber in 2 sets: After a very slow start in Asia, Ferrer is playing much better.  Kohlschreiber skipped Asia (injury?) and I expected him to fall early in Vienna… Kohlschreiber is a dangerous opponent, but I think Ferrer has played himself into form.  The pair last played in Cincy, a match that featured three tiebreaks.