Tennis: US Open Women’s Final Preview – Can Serena Retain Crown?

Just two men and two women remain in the hunt for glory at Flushing Meadows and over the next 48 hours we will find out who will be crowned the king and queen of New York.

It has been a truly remarkable tournament with some truly memorable moments, not least from yesterday’s Men’s semi-finals, and we will see history made between now and Monday night.

US Open Day 13 Review

If ever you needed an advert to prove why tennis is one of the most thrilling sports in the world then you need look no further than yesterday’s action from New York.

It had started as a day where most fans had anticipated relatively routine wins for both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. The No.1 and 2 seeds had been exceptional throughout the tournament and tennis fans everywhere were already fantasising about a repeat of that classic Wimbledon final earlier this summer. However, those plans soon evaporated with some huge upsets at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Japan’s Kei Nishikori edged a first set over Djokovic but when the Serb hit back with a 6-1 annihilation in the second set it appeared that the World No.1 was back on course to reach another US Open final. What happened next made history.

The 24-year-old clinched a crucial tie-break win in the third to re-establish his advantage and made no mistakes in the fourth, which he won 6-3 to book his place in tomorrow’s final. Nishikori becomes the first man in Japan’s history to ever reach a Grand Slam final and is now just three sets away from completing the perfect tournament.

With Djokovic out it appeared that the route was paved for Federer to lift an 18th Grand Slam title. However, Croat star Marin Cilic sniffed a chance of winning his first ever major and used that extra incentive to full effect against the Swiss star.

Cilic opened up a first set lead in super quick time, winning it 6-3. From then on there was no looking back for the No.14 seed as he powered his way to consecutive 6-4 victories to take the second and third sets, completing his greatest ever victory as a pro.

Whatever happens, there will be a new name on the Men’s trophy.

Over in the Women’s Doubles, fans had hoped to see Martina Hingis roll back the years with partner
Flavia Pennetta but they came up just short losing in three sets to Russian pair Ekaterina Marakova and Elene Vesnina.

It was a day of tennis that will not be forgotten any time soon and sets us up perfectly for the next 48 hours, starting with the Women’s final.

US Open Women’s Final Preview: Serena Williams V Caroline Wozniacki

It has arrived, the last Grand Slam final of the Women’s tour in 2014 and it could scarcely be a more fitting offering as good friends Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki take to court for the US Open title.

Both ladies have been near faultless during the past fortnight, brushing aside every opponent that stood in their way. In Serena, we have the defending champ; in Wozniacki, a Women who has done magnificently well to bounce back from well documented relationship troubles off the court to rediscover her best form on it. There is already a huge sense of anticipation ahead of this clash and we doubt that these two fine players will disappoint.

Unsurprisingly, Serena boasts the far better head-to-head record and has won eight of their previous nine encounters. However, it is worth noting that the Wozniacki is eight years her junior and the 24-year-old will now feel ready to beat her tormentor. Despite the resounding record, the pair have been quite evenly matched with four Williams’ wins coming over three sets.

For Williams, this final not only offers a chance to defend her crown but could additionally see her move up to 33 majors victories. Conversely, Wozniacki is competing for her first Grand Slam title – a stat which seems astonishing given her levels of consistency over the past few years.

Either player would be a worthy winner of the title. We should be in for a classic.

Meanwhile, the Bryan twins could make it a truly spectacular Sunday for the home crowd as they face Spanish duo Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez in the Men’s Doubles.

US Open Day 14 Betting

The past fortnight of action has certainly captivated the Flushing Meadows crowd and Sunday could potentially give them one very memorable pay-off indeed.

American supporters at the Arthur Ashe Stadium will be hoping to see their heroes prevail. We think there’s a great chance that they will.

The big one today is definitely that Women’s final and whilst Wozniacki will put up a great fight we just cannot imagine a world where Serena goes the whole season without a Grand Slam victory.

If Williams takes the first set then it will be immensely difficult for the Dane to come back and the American will be out to dominate those opening exchanges. She is more than capable of doing so.