Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Williams conqueror Lisicki into semi-finals

On a roll: Lisicki celebrates reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals

(CNN) -- Sabine Lisicki followed up her shock win over title favorite Serena Williams to become the first woman to march into the Wimbledon semi-finals.

There was no need for a repeat of the German's giant-slaying slog on grass as Lisicki rattled out a straightforward 6-3 6-3 victory over Estonia's Kaja Kanepi.

The 23-year-old -- coincidentally also the 23rd seed for the grass-court tournament --was in tears after beating Williams but said she had to pull herself together for her quarter-final.

"It was an amazing match yesterday, but I had to make sure that I had calmed down and was ready for today," explained Lisicki. "I have had experience of other years to help me."

Lisicki also spoke about having to "learn how to walk again" after a serious ankle injury in 2010 left her with no muscle strength in her left calf.

"To come back on the court to compete and then to go even further than I did before the injury gives you a lot of strength," she added.

"It's a different feeling when I'm out there now. To have your hobby as a job is something that not a lot of people can say they have. I love the game so much."

Lisicki has never gone past the fourth round at any grand slam outside of Wimbledon but she has an impressive record at The All England Club, having reached the quarter-finals three times and the last four in 2011.

The German faces Agnieszka Radwanska in the semi-finals after the Polish world number four came through a grueling match against China's Li Na.

Their sizzling match-up on Centre Court was delayed twice by rain before the tournament organizers decided to close the court's multi-million dollar roof.

When the roof had slotted into place and the action finally resumed, Radwanska wasted no time building on her 2-0 lead over Li in the deciding third set.

But the Pole, who played with a heavily-strapped right thigh and then took an injury timeout to receive treatment on her other thigh, had to see off a final rally by the Chinese sixth seed.

The 2012 Wimbledon runner-up needed eight match points, in a game that lasted just seconds shy of the 10-minute mark, to defeat Li 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-2 and set up her meeting with Lisicki.

"She was playing unbelievable tennis," said Radwanska. "I'm just very happy to go through even though I was struggling in the third set.

"Too much tennis, that was I was struggling with that. I'm just going to keep going and try my best."

Looking forward to her semi-final against Lisicki, Radwanska said: "We have known each other since our junior days -- it'll be a great challenge playing each other on the grass."

On the roofless Court One, the remaining American singles players left in the Wimbledon draw, Sloane Stephens, and Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli's exciting match was delayed by rain.

Stephens had saved two set points to leave the match poised at 5-4 40-40 in Bartoli's favor before the match was postponed following complaints about the slippery court by the French 15th seed.


Via: Williams conqueror Lisicki into semi-finals

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