Match Previews / Ben Caudell / 02 July 2009 / Leave a comment

It's semi-finals day in the ladies' draw and that means a double helping of USA v Russia. Top seed Dinara Safina faces Venus Williams in the second of the two semis and Ben Caudell can only see this going one way.

Dinara Safina (RUS) v Venus Williams (USA) -

It's semi-finals day at the All England Championship and surprise, surprise, both Williams sisters look set to reach the final for the fourth time since 2002. Today sees the first instalment of the old cold war battle between the Yanks and the Russians- the other semi-final sees Elena Dementieva (RUS) take on Serena Williams (USA).

Since 1999 an American has won Wimbledon on eight occasions with a Russian, Maria Sharapova, having won on the other occasion. Venus has undoubtedly become the Queen of Wimbledon having won the event five times within the last ten years and reached the final on another two, her losses coming against her own sister, Serena.

Venus leads the head to head series over Safina 2-1; they have met once this year, on the American's least favoured surface (clay) in which Safina triumphed over three close sets in Rome.

They have never met on grass before, though I can't see anything to suggest that this match will go any other way than a Venus win. She's the specialist on the surface and the defending champion.

She has not even lost a set here since the third round in 2007, which makes it 32 sets in a row, and although she is sporting tape around her left knee, we have been assured that she intends to play through what ever pain may be affecting her. The Queen will rule once again...

Selections:

Venus Williams @ [1.21] to win match
Back V Williams 2-0 @ [1.63]
Back Serena/Venus Final @ [1.5]