Sabine Lisicki vs. Marion Bartoli: Wimbledon 2011 Quarter-finals Preview

Marion Bartoli

Marion Bartoli played no fuss Tennis in her Round 4 match against Serena Williams, and deservingly ousted the defending champion. Bartoli has had a terrific year and with both the William sisters out, she has a thick chance of making the coveted Wimbledon finals. The only outstanding competitor for Bartoli will be Maria Sharapova who looks in red hot form too. But much before that she has some hurdles to pass. She will be the first to occupy center court on Tuesday against Sabine Lisicki to play her quarter-final match.

Bartoli was runner-up to Venus Williams in 2007 and by ousting the other William sister she has surely settled a score. She dominated that match showing signs of growth in ability and skill. She is naturally a clay court player but Wimbledon 2011 might just prove to be her best opportunity to win a grand slam event. Bartoli defeated Serena in two straight sets and even though Serena characteristically showed some defiance in the second set, Bartoli was able to constrain her. She won the match 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).

Earlier in the tournament, she has had some tough three-setters to get away with. However, going ahead in this competition it might be a blessing in disguise as she has had the better of pressure situations. Against Sabine Lisicki, she would like to keep it simple. If she is doing her fundamentals right, she becomes a very difficult player to beat. Temperament will be a key factor in the rest of her Wimbledon campaign.

On the other hand, Lisicki is a giant killer herself. She stunned French Open champion Li Na in Round 2 and has been on top of her opponents since then. She would go in as the second favorites but the odds are not drastically stacked against her. The comfort with which she has chucked out her opponents in the last two matches indicates a growth in confidence that’s as potent a weapon as one can carry. Lisicki has dropped a single set in the tournament so far and with 17 aces in her Round 2 match, we can properly adjudge one of her strengths.

The other significant match to be played today will be contested by Maria Sharapova. Shrapova will take on Dominika Cibulkovafrom Slovakia. The Russian has fond memories of this surface and if she does triumph at Wimbledon, it will be quite an answer to her critics. With the first seed also falling, there is a clear opening for Sharapova. The door is open for her to walk right in.

Centre Court

13:00 Local Time

1630 hours IST