The hot steamy weather was never going to last and rain interrupted proceedings again but in no way ruined today’s action.
The first game on Centre Court saw wildcard Sabine Lisicki take on ninth seed Marion Bartoli. The game started late as the roof had to be rolled out but once play got underway it was an epic. Lisicki started brightly and got that much needed break which sent her on to secure the first set. A loud clap of thunder caused the players to jump which amused the Centre Court crowd halfway through the match. The second set was a much closer and former finalist Bartoli edged the tie-break to force the game into a third set. Bartoli started to look tired and her hard fought fourth round match against Serena Williams seemed to have taken its toll. Lisicki powered through the set and held her nerve and served out the match at the second time of asking. The wildcard will now face Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals.
The first game on Centre Court saw wildcard Sabine Lisicki take on ninth seed Marion Bartoli. The game started late as the roof had to be rolled out but once play got underway it was an epic. Lisicki started brightly and got that much needed break which sent her on to secure the first set. A loud clap of thunder caused the players to jump which amused the Centre Court crowd halfway through the match. The second set was a much closer and former finalist Bartoli edged the tie-break to force the game into a third set. Bartoli started to look tired and her hard fought fourth round match against Serena Williams seemed to have taken its toll. Lisicki powered through the set and held her nerve and served out the match at the second time of asking. The wildcard will now face Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals.
Sharapova is now the favourite for the title after she easily made it through her quarter final clash against Dominika Cibulkova. The Russian fifth seed attacked from the start and notched up 23 winners to clinch the match 6-1 6-1. Her Slovakian failed to threaten Sharapova and now Maria will face Lisicki in what should be a fascinating encounter.
In the other half of the draw eighth seed Petra Kvitova faced Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova. The match was delayed due to rain which affected play on Court Number One. Kvitova started superbly and stormed to the first set 6-3. Pironkova upped her game and the second set was far more competitive, ending up in a tie-break in which the Bulgarian won. In the final set Kvitova dominated and wrapped the match up in superb fashion.
Her opponent will be Victoria Azarenka who easily beat Tamira Paszek in their match. The pair started off on Court No.1 after the Kvitova match but after just one game rain hit again. The officials decided that the game had to be completed today and moved it to Centre Court under the roof. When it did get underway fourth seed Victoria Azarenka definitely was the player on top as she stormed to a 6-3 win in the first set. The second set was even more destructive as Azarenka booked her place in the semi-final.
There was too some good news for the British camp as men’s double pair of Colin Fleming and Russ Hutchins won in straight sets to progress to the quarter finals. Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for Elena Baltacha and Ken Skupski who bowed out in their mixed doubles match.
Tomorrow is men’s quarter final day as the top four men take to court. Will Rafael Nadal’s foot hold out? Can Andy Murray make it to the semi-final? Will Australian qualifier Bernard Tomic continue is dream run? We’ll find out tomorrow.
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