2009 Australian Open – Nick’s Picks – Women’s Finals Contest!
You know the stats, I’ve broken down both of their games, now you pick the winner! Post in the comments section who you think will win the match with the predicted score for each set as well as the total length of the match (for a tiebreaker) and the person who comes closest will win a great Bollettieri Prize Pack!
Serena Williams (USA) vs. Dinara Safina (RUS)
Serena Williams
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 150 lbs.
D.O. B: 09/26/1981
Turned Pro: September 1995
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Current Ranking: 2
2008 Titles: Bangalore, Miami, Charleston, and the US Open
2008 Australian Open: Quarterfinals
Dinara Safina
Height: 5’11″
Weight: 154 lbs.
D.O. B: 04/27/1986
Turned Pro: 2000
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Current Ranking: 3
2008 Titles: Berlin, Los Angeles, Montreal, and Tokyo
2008 Australian Open: 1st Round
Well, we’ve got two of the top three players in the world meeting in the finals of the first Grand Slam of 2009. What more could we ask for? This is definitely a winner-take-all match, because not only will the champion get the trophy, they will also become the #1 ranked player in the world as well.
Serena is looking for her 10th career Grand Slam title, and her fourth down under, while Safina is still trying to win her first. Both girls have struggled a bit throughout the tournament, but they have also been the ones to come up with the big shots at the right times. This is going to be one heck of a match!
The Match-Up:
Williams is 5-1 against Safina, and beat her two out of the three times they faced in 2008. Let’s take a look at each part of their game and so who has the edge.
Forehand:
- Serena will make early contact with the ball, standing right on or near the baseline. She hits it big, can take it on the run, doesn’t use much spin, but at times she can make too many errors.
- Safina stands four to six feet behind the baseline, which sometimes gives her opponents extra time to recover and get back into the point. Her forehand is powerful and for the most part very steady.
- I don’t think one girl has a big advantage over the other in this department.
Backhand:
- Like she does from the forehand side, Serena will take the ball early and can really do some damage. Both girls have great foundations, and neither really uses the slice. Safina has the ability to hit with great height and depth when she is in trouble, while Serena may have a bit more versatility. I wouldn’t say Serena’s is dramatically better than Safina’s, but she might have a slight edge.
Volley:
- I think Williams is a little more comfy at the net than Safina is, but I wouldn’t say it is a drastic advantage.
· Overhead:
- I would give the edge to Serena in this department.
Serve:
- Both girls have solid serves, but Serena’s is more dangerous when she gets it in play. She has 38 aces (first on the women’s side) to Safina’s 14 aces (5th on the women’s side). Also, on the deuce side Serena can slide it out wide better than Safina can.
Movement:
- You know that Serena is going to run down the impossible balls, but Safina is no slouch either! Not a real distinct advantage for either girl here.
Return of Serve:
- Safina probably has a more consistent return of serve, but Serena is going to go for broke a good percentage of the time and when she gets it in, watch out!!
Nick’s Pick – You know the stats, I’ve broken down both of their games, now you pick the winner! Post in the comments section who you think will win the match with the predicted score for each set as well as the total length of the match (for a tiebreaker) and the person who comes closest will win a great Bollettieri Prize Pack!
The stats analysis does not take into consideration the mental aspect of the game and the fact that it is a grand slam final.So according to you who he is going to win ? Serena or safina ?
Thanks in advance for your answer
I think the mental edge has to go to Serena, who has been in this situation many times before. I want to hear your prediction!!
[...] YOU PICK FOR A PRIZE!! [...]
2009 Australian Open - Nick’s Picks Grid « Grand Slam Professional Tennis Predictions and Picks by Nick Bollettieri. US Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open said this on January 29, 2009 at 2:43 pm |
Serena in two tight set. Do you think it would benefits to safina if the match lasts during 3 sets ?
congratulations for your very accurate analysis
What do you think the score and the time will be?? That way you can join in on the fun and maybe win the prize!
7-6, 6-3 for Williams in 1h44
Williams 6-4 6-2 in 1.20 hrs
Serena Williams d. Dinara Safina, 6-1 6-1
Match-duration: 58 minutes
6-4 6-4 Williams…1.30 hours
it costs nothing, so maybe I could predict the winner and score of the final.
Notwithstanding, I think it will be a tight match with many breaks from both. 6:4 6:3, but score won’t be a reflection of match’s progress. Long-play balls, we will see 40:40 many time on the scoreboard. Serena should take an adventage in head-statistics, she’s more easy-going, more experienced. I bet on Serena, straight sets, but only one more break for Serena by each set. Time: 1h 35
And what do You think about doubles game? W/W against very solid team H/S?
Never, ever doubt the Williams sisters!
Serena Williams d. Dinara Safina, 7-5 6-3
Match, 77 min
6-4 3-6 6-2 Williams in 1 h 58
Serena-Dinara 6-2, 5-7, 4-6
Serena Williams wins 6-4, 6-4, 1hr. 33min.
Serena will win 6-4 6-2 in 1.24 h. However Safina will break her once!
Serena Williams 6-3 6-4
Serena Williams 6-3 7-5
Serena Williams 7-5 6-1
6-3 7-6(4) for Serena Williams in 1,34h
also Alexandros-Ferdinandos Georgoudas (juniors) to reach the final…
Serena williams wins 6-3 6-4 over D. Safina
Match time: 85min
Serena Williams, 6-4 6-3 math time: 86 min.
Serena in 2 sets, 6-3, 6-4
Serena 6-3, 7-5 in 92 minutes.
Serena 7-6, 6-4 in 2 hrs
Serena to win in 2 sets: 7-5 6-3. Match time: 1hr 28 min.
Dinara Safina in 3 sets
Safina : Serena 4:6,7:5,6:4 2hr 15 min
Serena to win 6-3 6-3
Match time 1hr 32mi
Serena in 3 sets, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 2:35 min
6-4 6-2 Serena 1 hour 10 minutes
Serena wins in 2 sets, 6-2, 6-3 ; 1:33 min
IF Dinara Safina comes out of the first set a winner, I believe she can beat Serena. She has to control her emotions, which she has been better at recently. I believe she will win in three sets.
Serena Williams – Dinara Safina 6-3 5-7 6-4 in 1hr 47 min
Serena 6-4 6-3 76 minutes
6:3 6:3 win Serena Wiliams 100 min = 1h 40min
Safina in 3 sets:
6-7 6-4 6-2
2hr 20 mins
Safina in 3 6-2 2-6 7-5
2h:25m
great job and wonderful site. really enjoyed the updates to my email
No problem, glad you enjoy the information. Make sure you spread it to your friends!
Serena wins 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-4 2hr, 40 minutes
Serena – eventhough I would like to see Safina
Serena Williams in two sets score: 6/3 6/4 time: 1 hour and 27mins
Serena williams in three sets score 7/5 6/2 7/5 time: 2 hours 20mins
6-4 6-4 in favor of Safina….match duration is 90 minutes…
Safina, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 time: 2 hours 47 mins
Serena Williams in 3 sets: 7-5 3-6 7-5 in 2h17
Serena Williams- Dinara Safina 6-7 6-3 6-4 in 2h 24 minutes. Serena’s experience will see her through, but it will be a fantastic contest.
Safina in 3
6-4 2-6 7-5 in 2h24m
Serena: 6-1, 7-5 in 74 minutes
Safina 6-4 1-6 7-5 in 123 minutes
serena in 3 sets 6-2 4-6 6-1
Great web site Nick you were right on though out..I believe Serena Williams wins. 6-4 7-5 in 1 hour 52 minutes
No one got the pick exactly correct. Serena won 6-0, 6-3 in 59 minutes. The person who was the closest was Andrew Broad who predicted Serena would win 6-1, 6-1 in 58 minutes! Andrew, you will receive an email in the next couple of days with instructions on how you can redeem your prize! Thanks to everyone that participated and if you haven’t already done so, get your pick in for the men’s match!