Maria Sharapova advanced to the final of Wimbledon for the first time since the year she won the title in 2004 as a 17-year-old, and Petra Kvitova made her first Grand Slam final, while her best Grand Slam result until today were the semis of Wimbledon last year.

The first semifinal was the one between Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova. Before you knew it Kvitova took the first set 6-1 and in the last game of that set she hit three aces. In the second set the momentum switched, and Azarenka built on her initial 3-0 lead to win the set 6-3. Interestingly, in that set she won, Azarenka scored only one winner! Kvitova’s unforced errors made all the difference. In the final set, the eighth-ranked Kvirova broke Azarenka’s serve in the beginning, for a 2-0 lead, and in the final game again to win 6-1 3-6 6-2.

The second semifinal featured Nick Bollettieri’s students, Maria Sharapova and Sabine Lisicki. The match started with Lisicki’s dominance, as she stormed to a 3-0 lead, but that was pretty much all we got to see from the German wildcard, as from that score until Sharapova’s 3-0 lead in the second set, the 62nd-ranked Lisicki won just one game. Final score: 6-4 6-3. (photos via Wimbledon)

Maybe Andy Murray is that golden link between the Serbian sisters and success? Together with Andy’s brother Jamie, Jelena Jankovic won her first and only Grand Slam title, the magical 2007 Wimbledon mixed doubles, and today we got the news that Ana Ivanovic will be coached by Nigel Sears, father of Andy’s girlfriend Kim.

Nigel Sears will be Ivanovic’s full-time coach. He has quit his job as Head of Women’s Tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association and will travel with Ivanovic wherever she goes. Remember how important it was for Ivanovic to find a fully-dedicated coach?

"I couldn’t be happier," said Ana. "I’ve admired Nigel for some time now, and I can’t wait to start working with him on court." (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Dominika Cibulkova hit just two winners in the first set and one in the second as Maria Sharapova stormed past her in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, 6-1 6-1. Sharapova scored 23 winners in the one-hour match.

In the previous round Cibulkova upset world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki and in that encounter she was first behind 1-6! Sharapova, though, didn’t give Cibulkova any chance of a comeback.

Sabine Lisicki will be Sharapova’s opponent in the semis. The German wildcard had a much more difficult time in her quarterfinal against Marion Bartoli but she won it 6-4 6-7(4) 6-1. Both Lisicki and Bartoli won a tournament on grass in the lead-up to Wimbledon – Lisicki won Birmingham, Bartoli won Eastbourne.

Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004, but hasn't played the semis since 2006. Lisicki played the quarterfinals of Wimbledon two years ago, but this is the first time she is in the semifinals of a Grand Slam. (photos: Ralf Reinecke, © Neal Trousdale)

What a day at Wimbledon! The first matches of the second week of the grass-court Grand Slam said goodbye to world No.1 and top seed Caroline Wozniacki, twice-defending champion Serena Williams and five-time champion Venus Williams. My poll has now lost three more of the eight names included (the only players still standing are Maria Sharapova, Marion Bartoli and Petra Kvitova).

Wozniacki lost to Dominika Cibulkova 1-6 7-6(5) 7-5 and has yet again failed to reach the quarterfinals of Wimbledon even though in her first three wins this year she hadn't lost more than three games per set, the least of any other player in the draw, and as you can see, she started the match with Cibulkova in similar fashion. Wozniacki is already on the defensive: "I don't really care what people think or say or do."

As for the Williams sisters, who had won nine of the last 11 women's singles titles at Wimbledon, Serena's 17-match winning streak was ended by Marion Bartoli 6-3 7-6(6), while Venus lost to Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2 6-3. The 2007 Wimbledon finalist Bartoli won two marathons in the previous two rounds, against Lourdes Dominguez Lino and Flavia Pennetta, and followed them up with the biggest victory of her career, a dream victory, as Bartoli herself described it. The world No.33 Pirokova played the semifinals of Wimbledon last year and to reach them she defeated Venus by the same score as today! Pironkova beat Venus in their last three encounters, and is now 3-1 against her in head-to-head. Read more »

Wimbledon is the most traditional tennis tournament and that conservativeness is reflected in the white clothing rule. But the color restriction is not limiting players to express themselves and challenge the set rules.

Bethanie Mattek Sands is always attracting a lot of attention with her look and for Wimbledon 2011 she reinvented herself in cooperation with Lady Gaga's designer – the jacket adorned with white tennis balls may have challenged the officials, but it is likely to end up in the Wimbledon Museum (one Bethanie's Wimbledon outfit is already there).

Venus Williams' outfit for Wimbledon is the second biggest shocker of the tournament. Her EleVen zipper jumper with an open back is definitely unique, whether you like it or not. I like the piece for bringing something new (it's not a dress, it's not a shorts and a top), but it reminds of pajamas. Also, I don't appreciate the visible brown bra in the back.

Nadia Petrova's message still hasn't reached her sponsor Ellesse, they simply don't want to give up the fluffy outfits.

Let's move on to some good examples. Read more »