SERENA WILLIAMS VS. ANA IVANOVIC

Serena’s road to the final has been completely cleared of speed bumps, but there isn’t a player left on her side of the draw that she shouldn't beat on a very good day. That includes the delightful and capable Ivanovic, who has done a fine job in reaching her first Slam quarterfinal in more than four years. The former No. 1 is a more composed player than she was at this time last year, is willing to come into the net as she trusts her volleys and as always, is dictating with her forehand, which is one of the best in the business. He first serve, which was a wreck at times during 2010 and 2011, has also revived. However, Serena is 3-0 against the Serbian, scoring two of those wins at the 2006 and 2011 US Opens, both in straight sets. She has a substantially better serve and backhand, moves just as well, is a more accurate returner of first serves and quicker to make strategic adjustments. Ivanovic could pull off an upset, but only if Serena’s first serve is way off and she can pounce on Williams’second serves. She will have a tough time holding and controlling the center of the court against a 14-time Grand Slam champion, who is incredibly powerful and accurate. Here’s hoping this is a very close match between two of the tour’s most vibrant personalities and is a classic, but the call here is that Serena will come through in two well-played, but not very close sets.