Wimbledon Preview, Women's Semifinals: Top seeds to face inspired challengers

WATCH: Ashleigh Barty completed the semifinal lineup after an all-Aussie win on Tuesday.

Ashleigh Barty [1] vs. Angelique Kerber [25]

It has been a tournament of firsts and breakthroughs, but we know these two women well, and their match will have the feel of a final. Barty and Kerber are both Grand Slam champions and No. 1 players—Kerber formerly, Barty currently. They’ve played four official WTA matches, and split them evenly. On a day-to-day basis, Barty is the better player than the 28th-ranked, 33-year-old Kerber, and has been for a couple of years now.

But what about on this day? Both seem to be in top form. Barty hasn’t dropped a set since the first round, and has been making the most of her all-court skills on grass. Kerber, meanwhile, has been playing with the stubborn conviction and court-widening angles that took her to the top of the game five years ago. She has also rediscovered her running passing shot, which should come in handy against Barty. We haven’t seen Kerber in this kind of mood since she won here in 2018.

Winner: Kerber

Aryna Sabalenka [2] vs. Karolina Pliskova [8]

Sabalenka and Pliskova have long looked like players who could storm through a Grand Slam draw at a moment’s notice, especially one played on grass. Sabalenka takes a full-blooded cut at every ball, while Pliskova has some of the easiest power in the game. Now, for the first time at Wimbledon, the Czech and the Belarusian are putting their offensive skills to good use. Sabalenka has won both of their previous meetings, but only just: One ended 7-6 in the third set, and the other 7-5 in the third.

This one should be competitive, too, as each tries to take the initiative as early in the rally as possible. Pliskova’s serve and ground-stroke timing may give her the higher ceiling, but if the match is close and comes down to who can will herself across the finish line, I’ll take Sabalenka.

Winner: Sabalenka