By Kamakshi Tandon

Tommy Haas (GER)[12] vs. Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)[10]Rod Laver Arena 7:30 pm

After three matches of saying, “how long can he keep it up?”, maybe it’s time to think of this as Gonzalez’s new normal. If that’s true, he should end up being Roger Federer’s victim – er, opponent – in the final on Sunday.

As for former world No. 2 Haas, he’s playing in his third Australian Open semifinal and will be looking to win one at last. Even if he falls behind early, there’s always the chance that Gonzalez’s old nerves will resurface. The new normal is still new, after all.

Prediction: A one-handed backhand aficionado’s delight.

Cara Black (ZIM)[3]/Liezel Huber (RSA)[3] vs. Yung-Jan Chan (TPE)/
Chia-Jung Chuang (TPE)Rod Laver Arena 3:00 pm

The Taiwanese pair became the first from their country to reach a Grand Slam final when they upset defending champions Zi Yan and Jie Zheng of China – think there might have been a little political edge in that match? Now the 17- and 21-year-olds will try to continue their run against the experienced third seeds.

Prediction: Someone will say, “Try saying that pair of names three times fast.”

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)[1] vs. Alize Cornet (FRA)[6]Margaret Court Arena – 2nd match

The defending champ goes up against a talented young Frenchwoman in this girls’ singles semifinal.

Prediction: Someone will say, “Don’t even try saying that name three times fast.”