A couple of matches are already in the books, but I think it is early enough to still give my semifinal predictions.

Women’s Semifinal Predictions

Top Half: Maria Sakkari vs. Simona Halep 

The defending champ is an easy pick for the semis.  Not taking Osaka who has won the past two majors and is ranked #1 or Serena Williams who has 23 majors is probably crazy.  I think as well as Osaka is playing and as talented as she is that she is not ready to win 3-consecutive majors (yet!).  Also, clay can be frustrating to many players.  So I am taking a long-shot with great upside in Sakkari.

Bottom Half: Karolina Pliskova vs. Belinda Bencic

Pliskova has been on the cusp of winning majors and has been ranked #1.  Her movement is a bit of a liability against the very top players, but somewhat along the lines of Maria Sharapova doing well on clay a few years ago, I think the slower bounce helps Pliskova.  She has momentum as well.  Bencic is talented and could make a semifinal run.  Again, I am predicting that clay creates a bit of chaos.

Karolina Pliskova has cruised into the second-round of the French Open.

She took under an hour to beat American Madison Brengle.

Updates: https://t.co/diX4AtxbXe pic.twitter.com/YZGrknG7Gs

— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) May 26, 2019