Fearless Forecasts - Day 13

S. Williams (2) v Safina (3). Safina has positioned herself to win her first Grand Slam crown and seize the No. 1 ranking in the process. Now, all she has to do is follow through and fulfil her ambition – a tall order, but then Dinara is a very tall young lady. She would be only the second Russian woman to capture the Australian championship, the first having been the now injured Maria Sharapova last year. Serena Williams is one of 13 Americans to win the title, and has done so three times.
Other factors support Serena’s cause. She has won a total of nine Grand Slam singles titles, and is the only woman currently playing who has achieved the rare feat of winning all four (though not in a calendar year). Safina, at 22 the younger by five years, has made the final at Roland Garros, and the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.
Their personal rivalry also favours Williams. They have met on six occasions, and the only time Safina succeeded was on clay – Williams’ least preferred surface – at Berlin last year, when the score was 2-6, 6-1, 7-6. Their most recent match was at the season-ending championships in November when Williams prevailed on hard court by 6-4, 6-1.
In their run-up to the final both players have had some anxious moments. Williams has struggled to find her best form, and Safina has played three-set matches against Makarova, Cornet and Dokic that required all her determination, plus a little bit of luck, to survive.
Both women have some heavy artillery at their disposal. Both can serve powerfully, with Williams marginally the more accurate. Both have very strong forehands and solid backhands. Williams is quicker, more versatile, and more likely to do something brilliant in the forecourt. But Safina, too, bravely chances her arm at times. On a few occasions, Serena has been accused of arriving at a tournament under-prepared, a charge that could not be substantiated at Melbourne this year. She has coped with her brief spells in the fierce heat, and looks as motivated as Safina.
Experience may play a big part in the outcome. Serena responds like a champion to difficult situations, especially at this stage of a big tournament. She controls her emotions and leaps on a chance to turn the tables. Whether Dinara can stay as cool and calm in a crisis remains to be seen. Williams in three.