Venus stunned as Federer advances
Source: Agencies |
May 31, 2010, Monday
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VENUS Williams lost in the fourth round of the French Open to Russia's Nadia Petrova, 4-6, 3-6 yesterday.
Williams was seeded No. 2, behind her sister Serena, but Petrova spoiled the possibility of a sibling clash in the final.
Petrova has been a nemesis for the Williams family lately - she beat Serena in the third round in Madrid less than three weeks ago.
However, men's top seed Roger Federer tamed a swirling wind and close friend Stanislas Wawrinka during a clinical victory to reach the quarterfinals.
Federer, who teamed up with Wawrinka to win the doubles gold for Switzerland at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was at his masterful best in posting a 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory and move into the last eight without dropping a set.
Earlier, Justine Henin rallied in a winner-take-all set that seemed like a final, outslugging Maria Sharapova 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. The two former No. 1s returned to center court following an overnight suspension of the third-round showdown after two sets.
Then came Williams-Petrova, with both players bundled up on a damp, windy day.
Williams' celebrated corset was under wraps with a long-sleeve top over her black lace outfit while Petrova wore long sleeves and tights under a frilly skirt.
The Russian controlled rallies with steady play from the baseline and finished strong, a problem for her in the past. She swept the final four games and wobbled only once, shanking an overhead shot when leading 0-30 in the final game.
She collected herself and won the final two points, closing out the match with an emphatic forehand winner.
Serena wore her playing outfit while watching her sister's defeat from the stands.
Venus converted only one of seven break-point chances. In the second set she lost serve three times after taking a 2-0 lead.
Petrova, seeded 19th, is a two-time semifinalist, but she's into the quarterfinals for the first time since 2005. The victory was her first against Williams in their five meetings.
Joining Petrova in the Paris quarterfinals were No. 3 Caroline Wozniacki, No. 5 Elena Dementieva and No. 17 Francesca Schiavone.
Wozniacki, enjoying her best run at Roland Garros, needed three hours to beat No. 14 Flavia Pennetta 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-2. Dementieva beat unseeded Chanelle Scheepers 6-1, 6-3. Schiavone defeated No. 30 Maria Kirilenko 6-4, 6-4.
Henin and Sharapova played the seesaw final set after the match was suspended late on Saturday because of darkness. The pivotal moment came when Henin fell behind 0-2, 0-40, then overcame four break points to hold.
The Belgian soon led 4-2, broke to go ahead 5-3 and served out the victory.
"I kept my chances to win this tournament," said the four-time champion, playing at Roland Garros for the first time since 2007. "I will give my best and enjoy it. It was a really good test."
The victory extended Henin's winning streak at Roland Garros to 24 matches. It was the first meeting between the two rivals since Henin spent 20 months in retirement before mounting a career comeback this year.
Henin next plays No. 7 Sam Stosur of Australia.
Williams was seeded No. 2, behind her sister Serena, but Petrova spoiled the possibility of a sibling clash in the final.
Petrova has been a nemesis for the Williams family lately - she beat Serena in the third round in Madrid less than three weeks ago.
However, men's top seed Roger Federer tamed a swirling wind and close friend Stanislas Wawrinka during a clinical victory to reach the quarterfinals.
Federer, who teamed up with Wawrinka to win the doubles gold for Switzerland at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was at his masterful best in posting a 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory and move into the last eight without dropping a set.
Earlier, Justine Henin rallied in a winner-take-all set that seemed like a final, outslugging Maria Sharapova 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. The two former No. 1s returned to center court following an overnight suspension of the third-round showdown after two sets.
Then came Williams-Petrova, with both players bundled up on a damp, windy day.
Williams' celebrated corset was under wraps with a long-sleeve top over her black lace outfit while Petrova wore long sleeves and tights under a frilly skirt.
The Russian controlled rallies with steady play from the baseline and finished strong, a problem for her in the past. She swept the final four games and wobbled only once, shanking an overhead shot when leading 0-30 in the final game.
She collected herself and won the final two points, closing out the match with an emphatic forehand winner.
Serena wore her playing outfit while watching her sister's defeat from the stands.
Venus converted only one of seven break-point chances. In the second set she lost serve three times after taking a 2-0 lead.
Petrova, seeded 19th, is a two-time semifinalist, but she's into the quarterfinals for the first time since 2005. The victory was her first against Williams in their five meetings.
Joining Petrova in the Paris quarterfinals were No. 3 Caroline Wozniacki, No. 5 Elena Dementieva and No. 17 Francesca Schiavone.
Wozniacki, enjoying her best run at Roland Garros, needed three hours to beat No. 14 Flavia Pennetta 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-2. Dementieva beat unseeded Chanelle Scheepers 6-1, 6-3. Schiavone defeated No. 30 Maria Kirilenko 6-4, 6-4.
Henin and Sharapova played the seesaw final set after the match was suspended late on Saturday because of darkness. The pivotal moment came when Henin fell behind 0-2, 0-40, then overcame four break points to hold.
The Belgian soon led 4-2, broke to go ahead 5-3 and served out the victory.
"I kept my chances to win this tournament," said the four-time champion, playing at Roland Garros for the first time since 2007. "I will give my best and enjoy it. It was a really good test."
The victory extended Henin's winning streak at Roland Garros to 24 matches. It was the first meeting between the two rivals since Henin spent 20 months in retirement before mounting a career comeback this year.
Henin next plays No. 7 Sam Stosur of Australia.
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