More upsets as Venus, Clijsters bow out
Source: Agencies |
June 30, 2010, Wednesday
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FIVE-TIME champion and second seed Venus Williams was stunned 6-2, 6-3 by Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon yesterday, while defending champion Serena Williams beat China's Li Na 7-5 6-3 in their quarterfinals.
Venus, whose loss meant she failed to reach the final for the first time since 2006, was outplayed from the outset by the world No. 82 and went down in an hour and 25 minutes.
"It's like a dream, coming here I never thought I'd play that well and come this far in the tournament," Pironkova said. "I think I played pretty well today, I'm very happy with my game.
"I have one win over her and thought I could win and I was going for it," said the 22-year-old who scored a three-set win over Venus at the Australian Open four years ago.
Venus saved two match points serving at 2-5 in the second set but Pironkova made no mistake on her own serve and sealed victory when the second seed's forehand drifted wide.
She rolled onto her back in disbelief and covered her face with her hands before walking to the net after becoming the first Bulgarian woman to reach a grand slam semifinal since tennis turned professional.
In a later match, Russian Vera Zvonareva stunned Belgian eighth seed Kim Clijsters 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 to book her place in the semifinals yesterday.
The Russian 21st seed, who claimed her first victory over the Belgian in six attempts, recovered superbly after Clijsters had taken the opening set in confident fashion after 38 minutes.
"I'm so excited about the match, definitely one of my dreams to be playing here in the semifinal," an elated Zvonareva said. "I remember as a kid watching Wimbledon on TV and I'm really looking forward to the semifinal."
The Russian broke serve twice to claim the second set and never looked like being reeled in by Clijsters. She will play Pironkova for a place in Saturday's final.
Venus, whose loss meant she failed to reach the final for the first time since 2006, was outplayed from the outset by the world No. 82 and went down in an hour and 25 minutes.
"It's like a dream, coming here I never thought I'd play that well and come this far in the tournament," Pironkova said. "I think I played pretty well today, I'm very happy with my game.
"I have one win over her and thought I could win and I was going for it," said the 22-year-old who scored a three-set win over Venus at the Australian Open four years ago.
Venus saved two match points serving at 2-5 in the second set but Pironkova made no mistake on her own serve and sealed victory when the second seed's forehand drifted wide.
She rolled onto her back in disbelief and covered her face with her hands before walking to the net after becoming the first Bulgarian woman to reach a grand slam semifinal since tennis turned professional.
In a later match, Russian Vera Zvonareva stunned Belgian eighth seed Kim Clijsters 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 to book her place in the semifinals yesterday.
The Russian 21st seed, who claimed her first victory over the Belgian in six attempts, recovered superbly after Clijsters had taken the opening set in confident fashion after 38 minutes.
"I'm so excited about the match, definitely one of my dreams to be playing here in the semifinal," an elated Zvonareva said. "I remember as a kid watching Wimbledon on TV and I'm really looking forward to the semifinal."
The Russian broke serve twice to claim the second set and never looked like being reeled in by Clijsters. She will play Pironkova for a place in Saturday's final.
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