Predicted Winners in BOLD

Angelique Kerber vs. Madison Keys

Kerber, when healthy and confident, is the best counter-puncher on tour.  Madison Keys, when her error count is under control, is one of the top 5 players on the WTA Tour in terms of being able to dictate play.  Something has to give, right?  We will either get Kerber not able to read Keys’ power while also having her serve torn apart or we will get Keys spraying errors.  A third option exists, Keys plays great offense and Kerber scrambles and scrapes out saves and hits her share of forehand winners.  That is more or less the match we got in the 2016 Australian Open final between Kerber and Serena Williams.  I hope we get a match along those lines.  I think Kerber’s lefty forehand, as well as Kerber’s serve, will tell the tale.  If Kerber is running and making her forehand into a factor, her chances at winning are pretty strong.  If Kerber’s serve is solid so much the better for the former #1, but if Kerber’s serve is soft, Keys will be ing a good position to win.  My Prediction: Angelique Kerber wins 7-5, 7-5

Simona Halep vs. Karolina Pliskova

This is a similar match-up as the other quarterfinal, but Pliskova is less mobile than Keys and Halep is a bit more of a defensive player than Kerber.  Pliskova can dictate play with big serves and power returns and make life miserable for Halep.  If Halep can extend points, her chances to win those points as well as her chances of winning the match dramatically increase.  Halep seems to be on a mission, but Pliskova’s composure and tactical discipline are always something to consider.  My Prediction: Simona Halep wins 3-6, 6-4, 6-3