Wimbledon Women’s Semi-finals Preview and Odds – Garbine Muguruza vs Magdalena Rybarikova

July 13, 2017 14:00pm

Wimbledon – Centre Court

Garbine Muguruza will look to qualify for her second Wimbledon final when she goes up against Magdalena Rybarikova on Thursday afternoon. The World No. 14 was denied a maiden Grand Slam when she was defeated by Serena Williams here back in 2015 but got revenge by toppling the American in last year’s French Open final, bagging her first major in the process.

The Spaniard has been back to her aggressive best, perhaps finally realising that she is a force to be reckoned with when she plays to her strengths. Significantly, her power and aggression have been matched by a frightening accuracy that will be vital to maintain if she is to go all the way in this event. She comes into this game on the back of impressive victories against World No. 1 Angelique Kerber and two-time Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Meanwhile, Magdalena Rybarikova will be hoping for a repeat of her Birmingham performance from two years ago when she beat Muguruza in their only previous meeting on grass. Despite being a decent grass player, she has historically struggled on the courts of SW19, enduring seven straight first round exits before finally making it to the third round in 2015. Last year, she once again fell at the first hurdle, making this year’s performance even more remarkable.

The Slovakian prepared well for this event, bagging two challenger titles (on grass) either side of a semi-final appearance at Nottingham, where she fell to Johanna Konta. However, the 28-year-old’s natural game lacks the power required to defeat the big names on a regular basis.

Prediction

Magdalena Rybarikova has the style and could take a set here but Garbine Muguruza has all the power and on the grass courts of Wimbledon it (usually) pays to back the power hitters in the women’s draw.

Back Over 2.5 sets at 13/8 or Muguruza to win 2-1 at 3/1 with Betfair.