Thursday's Wimbledon semifinals will represent a return to a more established order following the unpredictability that ran through the Roland Garros women’s draw.
Ash Barty, Angelique Kerber, Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Pliskova make up an illustrious quartet whose members have, for several years now, been factors at the top of the game.
Barty and Sabalenka are the tournament’s No.1 and No.2 seeds, and two of the strongest performers on tour in 2021.
Two of the semifinalists – Barty and Kerber – are Grand Slam champions.
Three of them – Barty, Kerber and Pliskova – have held the world No.1 ranking (and in Barty’s case still does).
And all four players, this time two years ago, were simultaneously ranked inside the top 10.
For Barty, the next three days represent "a dream come true" as she looks to match the feat of her friend and compatriot Evonne Goolagong, the last Australian woman to win Wimbledon back in 1980.
Such context sets the stage for a pair of high-profile, highly-anticipated semifinals headlining the Centre Court schedule on Thursday.
[1] Ash Barty v [25] Angelique Kerber
Head-to-head: 2-2
Most recent: Barty d Kerber 7-5 6-1, 2018 Wuhan 3R (hard)
Kerber is keenly aware of just how big an opportunity another Grand Slam semifinal presents at this stage of her career.
“For women's tennis right now, I think there's such a big chance for everyone. You see it now, who is in the semis. I think it's also good for the crowd to see like three former No. 1 players. Sabalenka is No. 2 seeded,” the 33-year-old German said.
“I think it's really interesting to see that. I'm really happy that I'm one of the four (smiling).
“Against Ash, I know that I have to play my best tennis. She has a lot of confidence right now.
“I have to just think how to play, be aggressive, and trying to taking the match more in my hands and going for it. Even if I miss few shots, I have to stay there and trying to pushing her.”
Interestingly, Barty’s ascent the top of the game in 2019 coincided with the beginning Kerber’s descent to her current ranking of No.28.
That number certainly does not reflect Kerber’s talent and the level she can bring at the business end of a Grand Slam tournament; the German already owns three major titles, with her most recent coming at Wimbledon in 2018.
Kerber is incredibly comfortable on grass, too, evidenced by a 10-match winning streak stretching back to the WTA Bad Homburg title she won on the same surface, in her home country, a week prior to Wimbledon.
But Barty, too, loves the lawns.
Despite being forced to skip grass-court lead-up events as she rehabilitated a hip injury sustained at Roland Garros, she has improved with every match to arrive in her first Wimbledon semifinal.
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The Australian’s aggressive instincts, heavy forehand and wicked slice backhand will contrast beautifully with Kerber’s counterpunching skills and flat shot production.
“Angie obviously has an incredible record here. She's made multiple finals. She's one of the best grass courters going around. I think the challenge of playing her in a semifinal of Wimbledon is an incredible opportunity,” Barty said.
“It's not scary or overwhelming, it's just exciting. I know one of Angie's greatest assets is the fact that she can run and hunt and put the ball in an awkward situation to nullify my aggression and my weapons at times.
“It's a really fine balance. It's a match that I know that I need to play my very best tennis to compete with her.”
[2] Aryna Sabalenka v [8] Karolina Pliskova
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-0
Most recent: Sabalenka d Pliskova 2-6 6-3 7-5, 2018 Cincinnati 2R (hard)
Like the Barty-Kerber match-up, Sabalenka and Pliskova have not met in three years, and both enter unchartered territory as Wimbledon semifinal debutants.
As a result, their clash has something of a “clean slate” feel to it.
Sabalenka has enjoyed an incredible career breakthrough this fortnight, advancing beyond the fourth round of a major tournament for the first time in what has been a huge relief to the Belarusian.
She appeared to play unburdened in her straight-sets quarterfinal over Ons Jabeur, and should this continue her unrivalled power and intensity could prove too much for Pliskova.
“She's a great player. She's moving well right now. She's hitting balls really solid and serving well. It's going to be tough match but I'm really looking forward for this one,” Sabalenka said of the Czech.
“Here in Wimbledon I'm on the second week, I'm still in the tournament, and I still have this opportunity to win a Slam. I will do everything I can to reach my goal.”
Pliskova, away from the spotlight of the biggest courts, has quietly compiled a dominant fortnight at the All England Club, not dropping a set en route to her first major semifinal in two-and-a-half years.
Long touted for Wimbledon success given her impressive grass-court record elsewhere, Pliskova has an opportunity to confirm those earlier career predictions.
“It's going to be big match because she goes for big, big shots, big game, big serve. I think there's not going to be much time to think about what should I do. Just, like, quick decisions,” said Pliskova, who will be making her first appearance on Centre Court this year.
“But I believe I have also a game which can bother her a bit. Big serve. I need to play fast, just put pressure on her.
“I thought she played amazing all two weeks here. So do I. So let's see what's gonna happen.”