After the glut of tennis on Monday, it’s quality over quantity time the rest of the way at Wimbledon. That’s the idea, anyway.
Tuesday’s Day 8 action features all four Ladies’ Singles quarterfinals, and no Gentlemen’s Singles matches.
With no matches on outer courts, play starts an hour later than it has before at 1 PM London time (8 AM EDT).
1. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) vs No. 2 Venus Williams (USA) -- This is a dangerous match-up for Venus, who lost to Pironkova in the first round of the 2006 Australian Open. Pironkova never capitalized on the enormous potential and ball-striking ability she showed in that match, and is definitely overdue for the slam run she’s been having during this tournament. Still, Venus is the far more talented and experienced player, especially when it comes to the business end of Wimbledon. Prediction: Venus in 2.
2. No. 8 Kim Clijsters (BEL) vs No. 21 Vera Zvonareva (RUS) -- After an impressive win over her nemesis Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters seems poised to make her first Wimbledon semifinal since 2006. Zvonareva is in her first Wimbledon final, thanks largely to a soft draw (two qualifiers) and an injury to her fourth round opponent, Jelena Jankovic. Clijsters is the more consistent and faster of the two, and the more emotionally balanced (as is everyone in comparison to Zvonareva). It should be a pretty convincing win. Prediction: Clijsters in 2.
3. No. 1 Serena Williams (USA) vs No. 9 Na Li (CHN) -- The two played an extremely tough semifinal at this year’s Australian Open, with Serena winning in straight sets despite an injury to her right knee. Although she’s been playing phenomenally well this tournament, this is a rough draw for Li, who would be considered the clear favorite against Pironkova, Zvonareva, Kvitova or Kanepi. But if she’s ever going to win a slam, she might as well earn it. No one has been playing better than Serena in this tournament, but Sharapova did have three set points against her. I think Li will be able to take it one step further and actually win a set, but no more. Prediction: Serena in 3.
4. Petra Kvitova (CZE) vs Kaia Kanepi (EST) -- As anonymous as this match-up is, it’s actually the second time the two have met in the second week of a slam. Want to catch the highlights of their previous slam encounter, from the fourth round of the 2008 French Open? Too bad. Despite being an extremely close match that was postponed on its first day due to darkness and lasted longer than any other women’s fourth round match that year, the two had to play on a non-TV court. Kanepi went on to win that match 6-1 in the third, but Kvitova won their most recent encounter in a third set tiebreaker, in Memphis this February. I’ve seen more of Kvitova’s matches, and have been extremely impressed with her form, so I’ll say she takes this one as well to make this a true grand slam breakthrough. Prediction: Kvitova in 2.
Wimbledon: Petra Kvitova And Kaia Kanepi Go Into Extra Innings
Petra Kvitova and Kaia Kanepi are tied 6-6 in the third set of their their most anonymous of quarterfinals.
Having blown five match points and a 4-0 lead in the third set, no one in Kanepi’s camp can like her chances too much.
Read Article >Wimbledon: No. 1 Serena Williams Powers Into Semifinal With Win Over No. 9 Li Na
No. 1 Serena Williams is into her third straight Wimbledon semifinal with a deceptively easy 7-5, 6-3 win over No. 9 Li Na.
Serena earned her first break of the second set from a very loose service game by Li in the fifth game of the set, breaking her at 15 for a 3-2 lead courtesy of an unforced forehand error by Li that found the middle of the net.
Read Article >Wimbledon: No. 1 Serena Williams Takes First Set 7-5
No. 1 Serena Williams took the first set 7-5 against No. 9 Li Na in a hard-fought, well-played battle that was won all too easily in the end.
The two played extremely strong tennis through the first ten games, each holding five times with relative ease.
Read Article >Wimbledon: Tsvetana Pironkova Wins First Set 6-2 Over No. 2 Venus Williams
Unseeded Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova has jumped out to a surprising early advantage against five-time Wimbledon champion No. 2 Venus Williams in their quarterfinal match on Court 1, winning four games in a row to take the first set 6-2.
Pironkova has been doing a tremendous job of prolonging rallies making Venus hit additional shots, extending points until an error comes from the Williams side. Pironkova is also mixing up her forehand extremely well, throwing in a lot of slices and chops that have kept Venus off-balance.
Read Article >Wimbledon, Day 8: Ladies’ Singles Quarterfinals Preview
After the glut of tennis on Monday, it’s quality over quantity time the rest of the way at Wimbledon. That’s the idea, anyway.
Tuesday’s Day 8 action features all four Ladies’ Singles quarterfinals, and no Gentlemen’s Singles matches.
Read Article >
