Serena has just powered her way past Dementieva for a spot in the Australian Open final and Roddick and the Bryan Bros are taking the court tonight in their Semi final matches.

What can be gleaned from the past couple of rounds?

First of all, Bob and Mike Bryan are back and unfortunately had to take out 4 fellow Americans for their spot in the Semis. The match against Rajeev Ram and Bobby Reynolds went the distance 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 and it was tight against Fish and Isner as well. Expect good results from the multiple American teams this year! The Bryans play Dlouhy/Paes tonight.

Andy Roddick has been making 63 to 73% of his first serves and winning over 84% of those points. In early rounds, Andy would also win 60+% of his second serve points, but that dropped to 44% with Djokovic and that win ratio may be the key to tonight’s match. In addition, Andy’s net point win % will need to be closer to his early average of 70% vs. 54% against Djokovic. Amer Delic managed 68% success vs. Djokovic at the net which may hold some tips for Andy.

James Blake came up a few forehands short in his match vs. Tsonga. James powerful performance was validation that he need not heed Patrick McEnroe’s advice that James step back and play more defense on Tsonga’s. Each set had a single errant forehand that could have changed not only the outcome of the sets but obviously the match as Tsonga appeared to be stressed in the third set. Blake won 76% of his net attacks, but only made 53% of his first serves. The forehands I mentioned earlier accounted for the 1 out of 4 break points converted and Tsonga’s 3 of 6 break point conversions. Tsonga did win 84% of his first serve points, but only 46% of the second serve points. James Blake is in shape and mentally moving forward confidently. Watch for at least one title for James this year.

Safina appears to be a danger to Serena if Safina makes the final. Serena has been winning the majority of her net points and Safina’s pace could prevent her from making an aggressive approach shot. Serena experienced trouble form the fast paced Azarenka before her retirement. Serena’s net approaches vs. Azarenka failed 6 out of 11 attempts while Azarenka was successful 12 out of 15 attacks. In her last two matches, Serena has converted 10 of 21 break points. Both the fact that she converts ~50% and that she creates so many are promising for Serena. Especially given that Safina’s convertion rate has been south of 50%.

Unfortunately Huber & Black lost a rare third set tie-breaker to Sugiyama and Hantuchova in the QF, 7-6(0), 3-6, 6-7(10). The Williams will be on the court later today trying to reach the women’s doubles final. Lisa Raymond with Peschke lost in the third round to Dechy & Santangelo and lost (w/Matkowski) in the first round of mixed to Dlouhy & Benesova. Huber (w/Jamie Murray) had a win over Ferguson/Guccione, but lost also lost to Dechy (w/Ram) in mixed.

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