TENNIS – The semifinals in Cincinnati are set. Roger Federer moves past Mardy Fish and will play countryman Stan Wawrinka. Novak Djokovic will play Juan Martin del Potro in the popcorn match of the tournament. On the women’s side, Venus Williams, Li Na, Petra Kvitova, and surprising Angelique Kerber advanced. T.A. Niles breaks down the matches.

The king is not yet dead, and for the moment, he is living as long as any king has atop the ATP Tour. Roger Federer (1) took care of business, downing Mardy Fish (10) in straight sets, but Mardy gave Roger a run for his money in the second set. Playing some fantastic tennis Mardy took the second to a tiebreak and saved match point before falling 6-3, 7-6. Unlike some of the seeds who may be looking ahead to the US Open, Federer looks as though he intends to add his record fifth title in Cincy.

Roger will face his friend and countryman, Stanislas Wawrinka, who pulled off a bit of a surprise in taking out Milos Raonic, who has been one of the more talked about up-and-comers in the draw. Raonic appeared to be on his way to his first routine victory in the tourney when he took the first 6-2. But unlike some who have merely made an appearance in Cincy, Stan came to play.

The two battled to a tiebreak which was heartbreak for Raonic in the second, and after playing two three-setters in a row, the 23-25 final set loss to Tsonga at the Olympics, and a quarterfinal showing in Toronto, one would think it would be pretty much over when Wawrinka took the breaker 7-5. But the Canadian came to play as well, and went down fighting 6-4 in the third. Roger has pretty much owned Wawrinka, and if he plays as he played against Fish, a No.1 versus No.2 is looking like a good bet.

Novak Djokovic (2) is letting everyone know that he is still relevant. After taking Roger’s Cup in Toronto, one might think that he would take it easy, perhaps get a little respite before the Open. Not! Novak treated Marin Cilic (12) like the proverbial stepchild, dispatching him 6-3, 6-2 to earn his spot in the semis. Djokovic will battle Juan Martin Del Potro (6) next.

Del Potro has to be a cause for concern for the other players atop the ATP standings, as he has worked his way back into the top ten with play reminiscent of his from when he took the US Open in 2009 when he surprised Federer in five. Del Potro ended Jeremy Chardy’s Cinderella run without waiting for midnight. It took Delpo a little more than an hour to bid Chardy goodnight, with a 6-1, 6-3 victory. There’s some concern about Delpo’s wrist, but even with a healthy wrist, Novak has to be the favorite.

Unlike her counterparts on the men’s side, the favorite on the women’s side was sent packing without much ado. Despite being the second seed, Olympic gold medal winner Serena Williams was the favorite to claim honors at the Western & Southern Open, but her level of play had been less than golden in this event and she finally collided with a player who has no respect for Grand Slam records, historic accomplishments or anything of the sort. Angelique Kerber (5) announced her presence on the WTA Tour this season, winning more matches than any other player, and her 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Serena solidifies her standing as a top-tenner who is not satisfied with that status.

Kerber will take on another big hitter in the semis in Petra Kvitova (4). Kvitova appears to be rounding into form as the final Slam of the year approaches, hitting huge shots off the ground with the kind of confidence that earned her the Wimbledon title in 2011. Against yet another baseline bomber, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Kvitova converted on 50% of her break point opportunities and saved 100% of break points against to take the first set 6-3. In the second set, neither could convert their break opportunities and Kvitova wore down the less than svelte Pavlyuchenkova in the tiebreak to earn the semis.

The Williams sisters are responsible for the two biggest surprises in the women’s draw, with Serena bowing out and Venus Williams making it to the semis. Venus survived a thriller against Sam Stosur (3) winning the first 6-2, losing a tiebreak badly (2-7) in the second, before rebounding to seize the third 6-4. Given Venus’ recent history, a semifinal performance could not have been expected. She has even heavier lifting ahead of her next against Na Li (9).

Perhaps a bit disgusted by some soft play while being up match points in recent matches, Li was dominant in her last two matches, both played today, losing a total of six games. Her 6-2, 6-2 drubbing of Johanna Larsson in her first match of the day was not a shocker by any means. However, Li stunned No.1 Seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 6-1 in the quarters, posting the most lopsided victory in the entire event on the women’s side. She will need to keep her nerve against Venus, and I suspect that one will go three.

Summing things up, A Federer-Djokovic final looks good, but Delpo is no pushover, and he could trouble the Djoka a bit. Roger should move through without much trouble, because a relaxed Federer is the best there has ever been, and he is as relaxed against Wawrinka as he is against anyone. The women’s matches are too tough to call, but the oddsmakers are sure to favor Kvitova and Li to make it to the final.
 

T. A. Niles