Quarterfinals set at the Australian Open
The fourth round came to a close on Day 8 of the 2010 Australian Open. Both Serena and Venus Williams progressed, as well as Chinese Li Na and Belorussian Victoria Azarenka.
Top seed Serena Williams routinely defeated home favorite Samantha Stosur 6-4 6-2 in the fourth round. The impressive performance by the American saw her lose only seven points on serve throughout the match, including one double-fault in the second set.
Serena’s opponent in the quarterfinals will be seventh-seeded Victoria Azarenka who won the day’s final match, coming back from a set down to beat Russian Vera Zvonareva 4-6 6-4 6-0 in almost two and a half hours.
Venus Williams had more trouble advancing to the quarterfinals than her sister Serena. The sixth seed lost the first set and was a break down in the second before recovering for a 3-6 6-2 6-1 victory against Italian Francesca Schiavone.
Next for Venus will be seed No.16 Li Na of China who upset fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-3 to join countrywoman Zheng Jie in the last eight, thus making history for China – it is the first time two Chinese players are in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event. Li Na and Venus Williams have had only one career meeting, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the winner was Li.
Other quarterfinal pairs include Justine Henin vs. Nadia Petrova and Zheng Jie vs. Maria Kirilenko. (photo via Australian Open)
go china. Their players don't get enough publicity. i am cheering for both Li and Jie.
I'm a fan of Chinese players too. I would like them to reach the very top. But first, the Serbs should return there.
Stella McCurse struck once again. Miss Sunshine played awful. I was watching this match online -Thank you for the link Ms. Ella- according to the announcers of Eurosports Ms. Sunshine asked for a medical timeout, the chair umpire objected and according to them she said, "Then I'll retire". On her press conference Ms. Sunshine said that her injury was not serious, and the medical treatment was precautionary. The commentators pointed out that Ms. Sunshine was getting treatment not in a change over, they were saying that she was in violation of the rules which were changed. They also said Miss Sunshine went over to apologize to Li Na. Did Miss Sunshine exaggerate her injury? Is she the new drama queen, remember Doha? Will the WTA fine her?
I disagree carlos, i would hardly say, a runner up at a grandslam, and a 4th round at a grandslam is bad, is actually really amazing. ps; great picture!
When Wozniacki reached the U.S. open final I did comment that she broke the McCurse.
http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2009/09/14/kim-clijsters-crowns-comeback-with-us-open-title/#comments
That is why I said it 'struck again'.
Wozniacki was seeded fourth, theoretically she was supposed to reach the semis. I had her losing in the QF against Venus, but she lost in the fourth round blame it on luck I'll blame it on the McCurse since she fell short of expectations.
I also have previously talked about Wozniacki's run at the U.S. Open and about her style of play.
Oh, Okay sure. Sorry. I see your point
I'm overjoyed Justine is in the semis,the Chinese girl is a surprise! It seems China never gives up. It surely will be interesting semis, I wonder how Azarenka is going to do,too. There's not been much noise about her although she did great in her match agains Zvonareva, who fell apart in the last set as usual.
I don't know if you guys were listening via AO radio, but I couldn't stand when they kept mispronouncing/butchering Zheng Jie's name haha. I mean they are getting better at the European names, but are still lacking in the Chinese department lol. Even the chair umpire lol. At least Li Na's name is a bit easier.
Happy to see Justine in the semis! and other another note, Murray as well =D
Lilly, I'm so happy I finally learned how to pronounce Zheng Jie's name, when I was in China. And the name of the city Guangzhou, where there is a tennis tournament, they also keep mispronouncing, at least in Serbia, but I believe they are guided by the English model, as usual.
Azarenka got a flukish win in Miami after that h2h is 4-1 and growing in favour of Serena.