For the second year in a row, the two highest profile players in the Auckland draw have come through to reach the final.  Venus Williams has made back-to-back finals in Auckland; last year she lost to Ana Ivanovic, 6-2 5-7 6-4, but this time round, she will take on the world number eight, Caroline Wozniacki.  Wozniacki was first into the final with a three set victory over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, 4-6 6-3 6-4 in two hours and 35 minutes.  Wozniacki, who had lost her most recent match against BZS at Wimbledon, was a set and a break down at 6-4 2-0; Caro went 0/13 for break points in a brutal opening set.

I watched the final set, which was really enjoyable.  BZS is so much fun to watch; she was very successful with coming into the net and compared to a couple of years ago, she is much sharper and more consistent.  There were still a few too many errors, but I think that will be the case with the nature of the way she plays.  Wozniacki rode home on the only break of the third set, saving two break points in the final game of the match.  Wozniacki has been playing the big points well in Auckland and her confidence is certainly showing in getting these matches finished.  She’s still not playing her best tennis, but she did take some chances to get the vital break of serve in the third set.  Venus has had a brilliant week with four straight set wins.  She defeated Lauren Davis, 6-0 6-3 in the semi-finals as the younger American player held serve just once throughout the 67 minute contest.

This is a dream final for Auckland and promises to be a fascinating match.  Venus leads the head-to-head with Caroline, 5-0 and has not dropped a set in any of their previous clashes.  This would certainly seem to give Venus the edge on paper and furthermore, she has played quick matches this week so shouldn’t be too fatigued.  On the other hand, Wozniacki is arguably, playing some of the best tennis of her career right now.  Four of their five previous matches came in 2007 and 2008 before Caroline ascended up the rankings.  Their last encounter was in Dubai last year where Venus won, 6-3 6-2 on her way to the title.

This is such a tight one to call and i’m really interested to see the results of the poll and your thoughts about who will prevail! I actually think Wozniacki’s testing match with BZS will have been a help to her and we know she is insanely fit and can run for hours so I don’t think fatigue will be an issue.  I like the way that Wozniacki has been winning her matches this week and despite the head-to-head and Venus’s obvious power, i’m going for the Dane to bag her first ever win over Venus in an exciting finale.

Prediction: Wozniacki d. V.Williams in 3 sets

I’d love to know your thoughts about this match in the comments section!