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Can Dominika Cibulkova continue her impressive record by beating the world number 1, Serena Williams, in the quarter finals of the Australian Open? Join the Roar as we live blog the match from 12:30pm AEDT.
Over the last two years, Cibulkova has been the best player in the women’s singles draw, at the Open.
She has only lost one match in the last two years and has won ten matches out of her last eleven at the Open.
Today she puts that record on the line against the world number 1, and five time champion, Serena Williams at the first Grand Slam of the year.
For both players, they have had a successful week in Australia, with four tough wins in the opening four rounds.
After losing only one set up until Round 3, Cibulkova faced a test in round 4, against Victoria Azarenka.
In three tough sets, Cibulkova would win out, and make her 2nd consecutive quarter final.
Her 44 winners, compared to 32 for Azarenka, was the ultimate difference in the match.
For Williams – after two easy victories in the opening two rounds – she has had to fight back from one set down in each of her last two matches.
Against Elina Svitolina, she lost the first set 6-4, before winning 12 of the next 14 games to defeat the young Ukrainian.
In her last match, against Garbine Muguruza, Williams also fought back from a set down.
In a rematch of the French Open clash in 2014, when Muguruza won, Williams would win 12 of the last 17 games, to win the match.
Today’s match will be another tough match for Williams. Cibulkova, who is described as a pocket rocket, likes to hit the ball with a lot of power – despite her small height she can hit the ball as powerful as anyone in the game.
What isn’t helping the Slovak player is her record against Williams.
In four meetings, Williams has won them all, with three coming in straight sets. The only time Cibulkova won a set against Williams was at the Miami event in 2013.
In the other meetings, Cibulkova has only won 12 games, in 6 sets of tennis. This has included two bagels in two of those matches.
It isn’t a pretty record for someone who is looking to beat Williams. How Williams starts will be the key to the match.
If she starts slow, like her last two matches, then Cibulkova will be right in the match.
If Williams plays like the last two sets, in her last two matches, then she will be hard to beat today.
When Serena is on form, she is the best player in the game; still no one can match her.
Cibulkova’s focus for today will be on getting Williams to make forced and unforced errors. If Williams makes plenty of errors and is put off her game, then Cibulkova can beat the world number 1 today.
This promises to be a fantastic match with both players trading shots at the baseline. Cibulkova can win the match, but she will need to play at her best. Unfortunately for her, I predict a win by Williams.
We saw yesterday with Sharapova how devastating a player can be when they are in form. I see Williams doing the same today, and beating Cibulkova to make the semis.
Prediction: Serena Williams in three sets.
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