After easing past China's Li, defending champion Serena says the Wimbledon crown is her's for the taking
After easing past China's Li, defending champion Serena says the Wimbledon crown is her's for the taking
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| Serena Williams of US in action against China's Li Na during their quarter-finals at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, London yesterday. PIC/AFP |
Second seed Venus, a five-time Wimbledon champion, was knocked out 6-2, 6-3 by Bulgarian world number 82 Tsvetana Pironkova in a shock result.
Defending champion Serena, who is gunning for a fourth Wimbledon singles crown, defeated Chinese ninth seed Li Na 7-5, 6-3 for a semi-final spot.
Venus was not the only big name to take a tumble, as Belgian eighth seed Kim Clijsters, the reigning US Open champion, was downed in three sets by Russia's 21st seed Vera Zvonareva 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
In the remaining quarter-final, Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic ufffd who had never won on grass before her run to the last eight here ufffd came from behind to beat Estonian qualifier Kaia Kanepi 4-6, 7-6 (10/8), 8-6.
Serena now faces world number 62 Kvitova in the semi-finals, while Zvonareva takes on Pironkova. "It's not mine to lose, it's mine to win if I can get it. There's three other people that are vying to win it. They have just as good a chance as I do," Williams said.
The American reckoned her serve was her key weapon this campaign. "I never serve this well. I always serve well at Wimbledon, but this is the first time I've ever served this well so consistently," the world number one said.
While Serena was rarely troubled, her older sister had a much tougher time of it, losing to the lowest-ranked player in the last eight.
On winning the match, Pironkova fell to the grass in delight, while Venus looked stunned as she trudged off Court One.
"It seems like a dream actually. Coming here I never thought I would play that well and reach that part of the tournament. I am extremely happy," said Pironkova, who has never been past the second round here before.
"I think I played pretty well. I'm very happy with my game. She also did well but I have one win over her and actually thought I could win and I was going for it."
This year will be the first time Venus Williams has not been in the final here since 2006. The American has made eight of the last 10 women's singles finals here.
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