'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With the numerous upsets and withdrawals that have plagued SW19 this year, choosing the eventual champion would be an enigma for even the staunchest followers of the game of tennis. As the battle for the Championships intensifies further, there is every chance of a new champion raising the Venus Rosewater Dish come the second Saturday of the tournament. Let us now have a look at the enthralling quarter final encounters from the women’s draw:
1) Sabine Lisicki vs Kaia Kanepi (First meeting)
After her upset win over world number 1 Serena Williams in the round of 16, Sabine Lisicki would certainly be the favourite to progress to the last four of the Championships.
As Serena aptly described Lisicki in her press conference: “A dangerous grass court player who can cause upsets”.
The German has certainly stood up to her billing knocking out Sam Stosur followed by Williams herself. The world number 24 would be up against a tricky opponent in the form of Estonian Kaia Kanepi.
After knocking out the last British hope Laura Robson in straight sets, the Estonian would dearly want to go one better than her previous best at SW19 in 2010. Kanepi has also caused a few ripples at Wimbledon, knocking out last year’s semifinalist Angelique Kerber in the second round.
All in all, if Lisicki is able to get over her win against the world number 1, she would surely have a great chance of progressing to the later stages of the tournament.
Prediction: Lisicki wins in straight sets
Li Na
2) Li Na vs Agnieszka Radwanska (Head to Head: 6-4)
For the tennis connoisseurs, this is the match to watch out for on Tuesday. On one side is last year’s finalist who is on a quest to go one better this time whereas on the other side of the net is a player who has vowed to fight like crazy to win the Championship.
In Li Na and Radwanska, we have two players who have been there at the big stage, but have not done true justice to their potential.
These two have met each other several times at the business end of tournaments and have an almost equal head to head against each other. They have played each other twice on the lawns of Wimbledon with both players winning once. This is going to be a cracker of a match with the player holding her nerves during the crucial stages set to proceed through to the semifinals.
Prediction: Li Na wins in 3 tough sets
Sloane Stephens
3) Marion Bartoli vs Sloane Stephens (Head to Head: 1-0)
After an easy outing against Karin Knapp, 2007 Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli will have a tough match on her hands as she faces the last American left in the draw Sloane Stephens for a place in the final four.
Meanwhile, Stephens had to face a stern test against Puerto Rican teenager Monica Puig coming back from the brink to book a quarter-final berth. Stephens burst into the scene earlier this year after knocking out fellow American Serena Williams at Melbourne Park.
These two have faced each other once before on the hard courts in New Haven with Bartoli prevailing in three sets.
Overall, this is going to be an encounter between the exuberance and flair of young Stephens on one hand and the experience and skill of Bartoli on the other.
Prediction: Marion Bartoli wins in 3 sets
Petra Kvitova
4) Kirsten Flipkens vs Petra Kvitova (Head to Head: 2-1)
The only Wimbledon champion left in the draw, Czech Petra Kvitova will have her task cut out when she faces Belgian Kirsten Flipkens. A good draw, mostly ensured by the upsets at Wimbledon, has ensured an easy passage for Belgian Kirsten Flipkens to the quarter-finals at SW19. However, she certainly cannot be underestimated as she has yet to drop a set at the Championships. To top that up, she has beaten Kvitova twice before, the last time being in Miami earlier this year. She also reached the final of the warm up tournament to Wimbledon in the Netherlands.
Whereas, the Czech has had her close encounters en route to the last eight of the tournament, somehow managing to scrape through. All in all, this will be an interesting match-up between Flipkens’ extraordinary run of form and the panache of Petra Kvitova, with the player performing to their true abilities progressing through.
Prediction: Petra Kvitova wins in 3 sets
