For nearly 2 weeks now, Miami has been the warm welcoming host of the 2nd Premier Mandatory event of the WTA calendar of 2017. In women's singles, the semifinals are already set for play having 4 players with their big expectations on the verge of being fulfilled. Caroline Wozniacki will face Karolina Pliskova, the only top 10 presence left in the field, while a rejuvenated Venus Williams is set to compete against the British no. 1 Johanna Konta. At 36 years of age, Venus' Tennis output is still phenomenal.
Venus shocked Kerber in straight sets
In the last couple of weeks, Williams produced some solid tennis.
At her previous appearance in Indian Wells, she reached the last 8 stages before being ousted by the eventual champion Elena Vesnina from Russia. In Miami, Venus got past the quarterfinals' mark after a thrilling game of tennis against the world no. 1 Angelique Kerber. Against the German, Venus put in some of her rock solid tennis, with powerful groundstrokes going through the German wall. The first had its ups and downs, with both athletes unable to hold on their own serve. When the first set point came up, Venus took the opportunity and sealed the set by 7-5. The 2nd act went mostly on Venus' side having the American in front. Despite having some waverings on the last points, she put away a stunning win converting the 5th match point she had.
Now, Venus sees herself only 2 steps away from her 4th Miami title and the first since 2001. Last time she got into a final in Miami was back in 2010, but then she went on losing to Kim Clijsters.
Johanna Konta could end the dream
In the semifinals, Venus (12 WTA) will face Johanna Konta who came back from a set down to conquer Simona Halep.Konta (11 WTA) has a 2-1 lead over Williams in head to head statistics.
She also had won their last 2 meetings but a 3 sets gruelling battle against Halep could take its toll. For the 36-year-old American, the current season is a fruitful one having already played a Grand Slam final in Australia. Given her age and her medical condition, Venus remains a genuine and constant source of inspiration in women's tennis.
