By: Matt DeCorso

Hey guys! A week and a half has passed at Wimbledon but so much more is at stake for 4 players. Serena Williams, Amelie Mauresmo, Lindsay Davenport, and Maria Sharapova have played superb tennis to reach the semifinal stage. Serena wasn't tested at all while Maria and Amelie kind of had to work a little. Meanwhile, Lindsay Davenport has been unconscious in losing 18 games. It seems like a lot but Serena has lost 17 games. This stat tells me that Lindsay and Serena are definitley in the best form, but Maria and Amelie may have something to say. On a sad yet bright note, Tatiana Golovin lost 2 and 1 to Serena but not before she pushed the defending champ to within an inch of her sanity. Golovin hit winners and made Serena yell at herself a few times. Props goes out to her! Also, in the junior side, Canada's hope Aleksandra Wozniak had a 7-5 4-1 lead over number 9 ranked Azarenka before succumbing 7-5 in the third yesterday. Good effort Aleksandra! Enjoy the preview.

Lindsay Davenport versus Maria Sharapova

Let me start with a well earned congrats to Lindsay as she has been in devastating form by reaching the semis. Lindsay started her year off with a bang by winning the Hopman Cup (mixed event) with James Blake and followed it up with a quarterfinal retirement in Sydney. Things looked a bit dicy heading to Melbourne but Lindsay hushed everyone by reaching the last eight before being trampled by Henin-Hardenne. Following her loss in Australia, Lindsay ripped through the Tokyo draw dropping 13 games en route to the title over Maleeva. Things were looking good for Davenport as she headed for Indian Wells and she flourished! Lindsay drew fear from the field as she raced to the final without dropping a set. She was again dusted off by her Belgian foe Justine, but rebounded on the clay courts in Amelia Island. She whipped Mauresmo to capture the prestigous 40th singles title. She was the 10th woman to accomplish the feat. After that she was brushed aside by Schnyder in the Charleston quarters before taking a couple weeks off. She returned in Strasbourg by reaching the finals, only to be beaten by first time finalist Claudine Schaul. She went into the French Open brimming with confidence but was silenced by Dementieva in the fourth round, partly because of injury. Here at Wimbledon, Lindsay has had great success. She has lost to Venus Williams the past 3 times she has played here but before Venus she won the '99 trophy over Graf. It has been a long 5 years but with impressive wins over Zvonareva and Sprem, Davenport looks poised to be in her third Wimbledon final. In this match look for Davenport to be controlling off the ground and penetrating with her serves.

Weakness: As fit as Davenport has gotten, Sharapova can make her run and she may tire easily. Just ask Sugiyama!

Maria Sharapova has stolen the hearts of many Brits but she has also deserved it. She was ruthless in her first three rounds before stumbling a little against Frazier. She elevated her game and found herself in the quarterfinals against Japanese motor legs, Ai Sugiyama. It was a tense battle but Maria pevailed 6-1 in the third when Ai ran out of gas. This year has been a breakthrough for Maria, including a third round showing in Melbourne. She SHOULD have beaten Myskina but wasn't quite ready yet. Her next big showing was in the Memphis event where she powered her way to the semis before being handled by Vera Zvonareva. She reached the doubles final with Vera but couldn't steal her third doubles crown. She then posted great results in California and Miami by reaching the fourth round losing to Myskina and Serena Williams respectively. In April she entered the top 20 at 19 and was raring to go higher. In Berlin she lost in the third round to Capriati but she pushed the American. In Rome she beat Dementieva (future Roland Garros finalist) en route to the third round before being dismissed by Italian Farina Elia. Then, it was off to Paris. Maria beat Schwartz, Grande, Zvonareva, and Weingartner with ease and found herself in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Paola Suarez whipped the youngster 6-1 6-3, but it was a valuable lesson for the Russian. Birmingham was the next stop for the shrieking Siberian as she was prepared to make her assault on the field. With wins over Molik and Schnyder, Maria found herself in her third career final against Tatiana Golovin. Maria prevailed in a nailbiting three setter and claimed the trophy. To cap it all off, Maria won the doubles with fellow Russian teen, Maria Kirilenko. So Maria headed for Wimbledon and great things have happened. In this match look for Sharapova to start off slow and get used to the surroundings but make a comeback and hit her wild forehand for winners. She should really attack the Davenport second serve and move the American around.

Weakness: Nerves!!!

Who has the Edge?

Serve- Davenport

Groundies- Davenport

Movement- Sharapova

Intangibles- Davenport

Volley- Maria narrowly

This should be the more exciting semi between the two. It will be interesting to see if Maria can handle her nerves. She fell apart in the French Open quarters so let's hope it doesn't happen again. For Lindsay, try and intimidate Maria early as she will be vulnerable. For Maria, make sure you move Davenport side to side and come to net.

Matt's Pick: Sharapova will win an emotional match, 4-6 6-4 6-3!

Thanks

GO MARIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!