With the women's semifinals set and only Federer-Blake in the men's quarterfinals still to be decided, let's take a quick look at the final fours and see if we can unearth a little perspective, perhaps even a bit of insightful commentary.
The focus in the U.S. is understandably on the disappointment of having both Williams sisters lose in the quarters, but in reality, the story should be more about the winners of those two matches: Serbians Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic. Both young starlets are looking to build on fantastic 2007s by launching successful '08 campaigns, and respective births in the semis is a great way to start. However, Jankovic will take on the very "in-form," extremely confident Russian Maria Sharapova, who dismantled world #1 Justine Henin in their quarterfinal match, 6-4, 6-0, and getting through to the final will be an extraordinarily tall order for a somewhat ailing and tired Jankovic. Ivanovic will be favored against Daniela Hantuchova, but there are no gimme semifinal victories, so the will have to be focused and on her game to reach her second career grand slam final in less than a year (she lost to Henin in the '07 French Open final). A Sharapova-Ivanovic final would be the most attractive (literally) matchup between two big hitters in the six foot and over club, but an all Serbia matchup would present yet another exciting installment in that country's ever-growing tennis legend.
Assuming Federer disposes of Blake tonight, the men's semifinal would have the 1, 2, and 3 seeds (and consensus top three players in the world, with a wide gap between 3 and 4) welcoming in unseeded newcomer JW Tsonga to the final four. Federer-Djokovic would be the match everybody wants to see and talk about, but Rafael Nadal has a chance to get to his first hard court slam final and really cement his transformation into more than just a clay-court dominator. The mens semis will also present fascinating storylines for the other three individuals, from the quest of the world's greatest player seeking to dispel sudden suggestions of his "vulnerability," to the hottest young all-court talent (and also Serbian) in the game, to the enthralling young Frenchman playing the tournament of his young career, with house money and nothing to lose. Should be great theatre, as much of this tournament has already been. And who knows, maybe James Blake will shock the world...
Right now, Djokovic looks unbeatable and should be almost an even money pick against Federer, as crazy as that sounds. Nadal is only a slight favorite against Tsonga, but should be waiting in the Final on Sunday. I'll be back with finals previews for both the men and the women, once those matches are set. Exciting stuff, to be sure.
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