The semi finals were wrapped up today, providing us with a mouth watering final!
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Serena extended her winning streak to 23 and ended the dream run of qualifier Halep 63 60. Serena was slow to start, saving break points in her first service game and being broken in the third game. However, Halep tired and Serena won 11 of the last 12 games. This is her first final here since she won back in 2002! She looks to become the second woman behind Safina in 2009 to win Madrid and Rome back to back.
3/3 Azarenka battled her opponent, the crowd and the weather to beat (6/7) Errani 60 75. Azarenka was brilliant in the first set despite a rain delay as Errani managed only 7 points. Despite Azarenka taking a break lead at 3-1 in the second set, Errani was using the crowds energy to lift her game. She came back to serve for the first set at 5-4 but ultimately fell victim to Azarenka's relentless ball striking, particularly from her back hand side. Still, for Errani it's been a great week; yet another where she's pushed a top player to 7-5 in a set in the semis of a huge clay court event. This is Azarenka's first Rome final as she looks to win her first big clay court event.
Serena dominates the head to head 12-2 against Azarenka. She won their only previous clay court meeting in last years Madrid final 61 63! However, Azarenka is one of only two players to beat Serena this year, back in the final of Doha (see here http://wtadohaqatar.blogspot.co.uk/) and has only lost once herself this season. It should be Serena's toughest match this week, seeing as she's only dropped 10 games to get here! I predict Serena will win in two sets, the first being easier than the second.
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