Serena Williams is peaking just at the right time here, facing up to the stern test from Sevastova and eventually overpowering her in signature style.
Just as with Novak’s win over Millman (which I failed to acknowledge yesterday) the scoreline told only half the story.
Serena was a tour de force yes, but her opponent was mightily impressive and the better player for the first act.
Williams will be extremely tough to beat tomorrow.
And yet, why not? Why couldn’t Naomi Osaka cap a dream fortnight with one more fairytale flourish in this final hurdle?
She had the perfect preparation in yesterday’s win over the unlucky Keys, soaking up some huge hitting and staving off many a break point.
A barrage of power and feeling constantly under attack against an American opponent? Pretty useful practice.
And yet, this will be a completely different challenge, yes Osaka has tasted big success in 2018, winning Indian Wells, and she has beaten Serena this year too in Miami a week later.
Hauling myself off the fence I’ll go with a Williams victory, but I would love Osaka (and Madison) to taste major success in the future.
Men’s SF predictions
Rafa and Novak surely?
Well, yes and no. The calibre of their opponents means it isn’t a given, let’s hope at least for some classic encounters.
All Things Tennis 