Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki still hasn’t lost a set at the tournament and she hasn’t lost more than three games per set. Today the Dane defeated Jarmila Gajdosova 6-3 6-2 and in the fourth round against Dominika Cibulkova she will be looking for her first Wimbledon quarterfinal. Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam where she hasn’t played at that stage.
Twice-defending Wimbledon champion Serena Williams hit 10 aces and 32 winners to Maria Kirilenko’s nine winners and scored her first straight-set victory in five matches since her return from a year-long absence. Final score was 6-3 6-2 and Serena will play Marion Bartoli in the fourth round, who beat Flavia Pennetta 5-7 6-4 9-7.
Maria Sharapova is also through and if she defeats Peng Shuai in the fourth round, a clash with Wozniacki is a possibility in the quarters. The fifth-seeded Russian, besides the Williams sisters the only player in the draw who has a Wimbledon title to her name, beat Klara Zakopalova in the third round, 6-2 6-3, but the victory didn’t come smoothly.
In other matches, Ana Ivanovic, who had solid early matches, lost in the third round to Petra Cetkovska 6-2 7-6(0). Sixth seed Francesca Schiavone fell to Tamira Paszek 3-6 6-4 11-9. Sabine Lisicki, who had upset Li Na, defeated Misaki Doi today, 6-4 6-2 (Misaki is a qualifier who had an amazing tournament, because of her upsets of No.30 seed Bethanie Mattek Sands and Wimbledon 2008 semifinalist Zheng Jie in the second).
I had 7 out of 16 for my 4th-round predictions. The third quarter really killed my score – I said that it was a tough quarter and I was all wrong in my predictions. Poor Hantuchova.
So here are my predictions for the second week:
Wozniacki – Sharapova
Lisicki – Bartoli
??? – Azarenka
Kvitova – V. Williams
then:
Wozniacki – Lisicki
Azarenka – Kvitova
then:
Wozniacki – Azarenka
then
Wozniacki
I know that many people will say that Maria will beat Caroline. But I really don’t think so. And unless Venus emerges from the bottom, the winner is probably in the top half of the draw.
I definitely can’t wait for next Saturday!
Correction to my last post. It’s not that I can’t wait for next Saturday, it’s more than I can’t wait to see all those good matches scheduled next week. Pretty exciting stuff. lol
Gregoire, interesting predictions and I agree there’s much anticipation for the upcoming matches.
While Caro hasn’t yet dropped a set, a few others have not either including Azarenka and the Ovas (Petrova, Kvitova, Pironkova and Sharapova).
@ Helen, Azarenka has dropped a set. You can ask Hantuchova, plus what she is thinking about the rain that killed her 🙁
Not dropping a set means nothing, look at Ana- 2 wins with great result and in 3rd round against more serious opponent-total disaster. In possible quarters Caro-Maria it will all depend on Maria, really. Too bad Azarenka and Hantuchova met in 3rd round, although Azarenka won, I’m not so impressed by her performance.
I just analyised the wimbledon draw, and i think the final will be a Sharapova vs Kvitova….ugh should i submit this? I always suck at predictions but i defiantly want Sharapova or Serena Williams to win.
losing a set means nothing!! Last year rafa played two matches in 5 sets and one in four and he won the tournament! Yes, none of the wta players have rafa’s mental habilities, but you can lose a set and win a match! Is stupid to think that caroline or maria are more consistents on their wins than serena, azarenka or lisicki for having losing sets in their route!
I think losing a set is a sign that a player is doing well. Mirjana, Ana these days is just a mess so with her statistics really won´t help much. I think Maria is not playing well enough to beat Caroline. But I expect a three setter if those two meet going in Caroline´s favour.
Perhaps someone could explain it to me – the fascination of Sharapova. I do not understand it. She did not have a good season last year, she does not show consistency (as Caroline) or the capability of coming back (as Clijsters, and the WS) Personally I do not think that she is that pretty(as Ana)
She is screaming a lot, she is Russian, but obviously Americans love her OR? Tell me, what is th big point about her? I already know that she is a Grandslam winner and a former number one, but besides that where is the fascination?
According to “WHY”, being Russian doesn’t seeem to be a plus! lol
Well, isn’t it obvious? Maria has a classic fairy-tale story of a talented little girl going from training on public courts with her father in foreign country to a 17-year old Wimbledon champion and beyond. People just love those stories. And, of course, add she’s a tall, pretty Russian with great fashion style. 🙂
Gregoire Gentil, “I know that many people will say that Maria will beat Caroline.” hehe you mean Dominika? 🙂
WHY, there are many things people admire about Maria – she never gives up (she’s a fighter), she’s a powerful and successful tennis player, she’s a young person to respect and admire of the court as well, she’s a great entrepreneur, and last but not least she’s pretty. About her being Russian, I don’t see any point in commenting on that.
Maria has been not reached up to her expectation but against Caroline Wozniacki but she has given a god fight in the match…….
_______________
John.
I am not a fan of Maria but I think she is a real fighter and she is very professional.