Its a mad dash for the final in Dubai

Recap

The final 8 women in Dubai put on a great showcase, but only 4 survived to fight for a final spot on Friday. Three of the quarterfinals went the distance, with only Wozniacki's swift defeat of Pennetta a slight disappointment. Lucie Safarova came into her Quarterfinal against Karolina Pliskova in red hot form, having dispatched Venus Williams in the last round, and for a set and a half that form continued. Sadly for Safarova, thats where it all went wrong-- A bad call from the umpire solidified a momentum swing and Pliskova ran away with the third, the Czech into her first premier level 5 semi-final. Next up was a match of high drama, but not because of the players dislike for one another. Rather the match took on a new tone, as countrywomen, doubles partners, and good friends fought for bragging rights. Garbine Muguruza secured those rights with a hard fought three setter against a valiant Suarez Navarro. Finally, Simona Halep secured the last semifinal spot winning a match that always had the motif of revenge boiling beneath its surface. Makarova had beaten Halep in the quarters at the Australian open and she tried everything she could to repeat that result here. Halep though had just enough, and I use the word just sparingly here, to inch past the resilient Russian and set up a clash against Wozniacki. These four women have played superb tennis thus far and thoroughly deserve to be in the semis; however, only two will remain after tomorrow. Lets have a look at whats in store on Friday in Dubai.

Match to watch

Caroline Wozniacki [3] vs Simona Halep [1]- Many of the matches this week in Dubai have featured players with extremely contrasting games: counter-punchers played power players, craftswomen played all-rounders, and big servers played extreme athletes. In Wozniacki and Halep however, we have very few contrasts. Both players like to extend the rallies, both like to move around the court, both like to turn defense into offense, and both have an air of well deserved cockiness about them. The similarities seem to translate into their matches as their head-to-head stands at 1-1. Wozniacki will be hoping to frustrate her opponent into unnecessary errors, as she has managed to do all week. The only problem is, well Halep will be hoping for the same thing. Both of their previous matches have been won in the first set-- it seems that the player who is more willing to attack, and attack early, is able to get on top of the others game and hold on for a straight set victory. I don't see this match being any different: the first set will create the tone for the match and whoever is able and willing to depart from her normal game-play and be more aggressive will snatch a Dubai Final from the other. Wozniacki had been more willing to come forward and change the dynamic this week, Halep is playing well but has reached this point with her same counter-punching style. Look for Wozniacki to throw her off with a few different looks on the ball.
Prediction: Wozniacki defeats Halep in two.

Popcorn Match

Karolina Pliskova [17] vs Garbine Muguruza- While Halep and Wozniacki gently counter-punch each other into oblivion, Muguruza and Pliskova will be trying to skin the balls with their blistering pace. Pliskova was steady enough in her attacking to take down Safarova and that match should help her deal with the spaniards pace here. She needs to look to move the young Spaniard around and get her off balance, if she can do that then she could be smiling her way into her first large final. Muguruza though is a different beast than Safarova; she has more variety, more confidence, and a desire to win that rivals the best, While she may lope around the court between points, once they begin she gallops like a show horse: elegant yet surprisingly quick. Muguruza has shown why she is such a strong prospect in the women's game this week by building with each match. She is uninhibited, free swinging, and oh so determined. This match could hinge on who gets the first strike and my gut tells me that Pliskova is going to feel like she is running with the bulls in Pamplona, trying to save herself from being dismantled by Muguruza's raging strikes.
Prediction: Muguruza def Pliskova in two.