Semifinals Set at Sony Ericsson Open

Image courtesy of the Sony Ericsson Open

The Sony Ericsson Open’s field has been narrowed down to four women after a week of thrilling competition in Miami.

Join On the Baseline for a look at the players who will be competing on Thursday for berths in Saturday’s final.

(3) Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. (8) Serena Williams
Kuznetsova spoiled an all-Williams semifinal, but she deserves to be in the final four after a straight sets blitzing of Venus. Kuznetsova is one of the Tour’s most versatile players with big wins on clay, hard, and even grass surfaces.

Kuznetsova’s dedication to doubles has helped her to diversify her game and mix up her shots, which could give her a fighting chance against Serena Williams. Still, if Serena keeps her game as clean as it was against Justine Henin on Tuesday, Kuznetsova will not be able to stop Serena from reaching her second consecutive Miami final.

My pick: Serena Williams in 2 sets.

(4) Jelena Jankovic vs. (19) Vera Zvonareva It's hard to keep criticizing Jelena Jankovic for her insane scheduling because week after week, she still appears in the later rounds. Sooner or later, fatigue will catch up with one of the most delightful women in tennis, but for now, Jelena has proven that she still has a little more gas left in her tank.

Even though she is nursing a cold, Jankovic might have an easier time advancing into the championship match than Williams or Kuznetsova. She won't be facing a former Grand Slam winner, but instead one of the most inconsistent players inside the Top 30.

To her credit, Vera Zvonareva has come a long way from her days of choking and crying on court, but she still far away from her 2004 stint inside the Top 10. However, so far this season Zvonareva has shown the calmer, resilient, and maturer side of her personality.

Given the fact that Jankovic is a walking time bomb of exhaustion, Zvonareva could very well reach the biggest final of her career.

My pick: Jelena Jankovic in 2 sets or Vera Zvonareva in 3 sets.

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