2011 Wimbledon Women’s Recap: Another Upset on the Grass Courts of SW19

Sabine Lisicki defeats French Open champion and number three seed Na Li

June 24, 2011 | By Monica Gorny
Sabine_Lisicki_02

The saying “anything is possible” comes to mind when thinking of the last two days on the SW19 grass courts at Wimbledon. Yesterday, the tennis world was shaken by a hurricane wild card, as Germany’s Sabine Lisicki knocked out 2011 French Open champion and number three seed, Na Li in a grueling three set encounter. Today served to further stir up the drama, as the number two-seeded Russian, Vera Zvonareva exited the 2011 Wimbledon tournament at the hands of the number 32 seed, Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova, 6-2, 6-3.

The match was a repeat of last year’s semifinal where Zvonareva beat the Bulgarian in three sets. Today’s match was a completely different affair as Pironkova came out firing from the start, not letting the Russian take control of the points. The match ended in an hour and seventeen minutes with the Bulgarian only accumulating five unforced errors.

Pironkova will hope to repeat her 2010 quarterfinals win in her fourth round against number 23-seeded and six-time Wimbledon Champion, Venus Williams. Williams quickly beat Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, 6-0, 6-2 in her third round match this afternoon.

World number one, Caroline Wozniacki advances to the third round of Wimbledon 2011 on her quest to win a Grand Slam title by overcoming France’s Virginie Razzano in convincing fashion, 6-1, 6-3. Wozniacki applied constant pressure throughout the match by holding all her service games and not letting the Frenchwoman gain any momentum. The Dane will now look to continue her on-form play in the third round where she plays Austria’s Jarmila Gajdosova.

Russia’s Maria Sharapova will also join the third round after dashing British hopes to the ground by beating former Junior Wimbledon Champion, Laura Robson, 7-6 (4), 6-3. The young Brit fought bravely as she tried to counterpunch against one of the biggest hitters in the game. However, Robson’s lack of experience proved to be a factor as she double faulted on crucial points throughout the match. Sharapova’s win moves her a step closer to repeating her 2004 Wimbledon victory. She now plays Czech’s Klara Zakopalova in the third round.

Other winners on day five of the Championships include France’s Marion Bartoli, Russia’s Nadia Petrova and Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer.

Play will continue on day six with the completion of the third round.

Summary of women’s second round matches from day five:

►Maria Sharapova (RUS) [5] defeated Laura Robson (GBR) 7-6(4), 6-3

►Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [1] defeated Virginie Razzano (FRA) 6-1, 6-3

►Marion Bartoli (FRA)[9] defeated Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) 4-6, 7-5, 6-2

►Shuai Peng (CHN)[20] defeated Elena Baltacha (GBR) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5

Summary of completed women’s third round matches from day five:

►Venus Williams (USA)[23] defeated Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP) 6-0, 6-2

►Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL)[32] defeated Vera Zvonareva (RUS) [2] 6-2, 6-3

►Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) [19] defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[12] 4-6, 6-3, 6-4

►Nadia Petrova (RUS) defeated Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) 6-3, 6-2

►Ksenia Pervak (RUS) defeated Andrea Petkovic (GER) [11] 6-4, 7-6(2)

►Petra Kvitova (CZE) [8] defeated Roberta Vinci (ITA) [29] 6-3, 6-3

 


Monica Gorny
Oneononedoubles banner art resize
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition