Wimbledon Semifinals – Zvonareva, Pironkova, Kvitova, Serena Williams

The Semifinals for Wimbledon 2010 have been determined.

One match pits No. 21 seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia against No. 82 ranked
Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria.

These two have met once before at Moscow in 2009 where Tsvetana won 6-0, 6-2 on hard court. Tsvetana, 22-years-old, has never made it past the 2nd round of a Grand Slam before, while Vera, age 25, has made the 4th round of Wimbledon twice and the semifinal of the Australian Open once. Thus we have a much more Grand Slam experienced Vera versus a more inexperienced Tsvetana. However, the match may well be determined by who is more hungry for the win. It is new ground for both of these players, since neither has been in a Grand Slam Semifinal before. It should prove to be an interesting match.

No. 2 Venus Williams upset by No. 82 Pironkova

No. 82 ranked Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria played the match of her life and defeated the No. 2 seed, Venus Williams of the USA at Wimbledon 2010.

Venus was totally outsmarted as Tsvetana took her out 6-2, 6-3. Venus hit unforced error after unforced error as Tsvetana placed her shots well, took off pace to keep Venus off balance, and hit angles Venus could not handle.

The 22-year-old Tsvetana has never made it past the 2nd round in a Grand Slam. She has now earned a berth in the Semifinals.

No. 3 Wozniacki sent packing after being pounded by Kvitova

No. 3 seed, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, was sent packing today after being pounded by No. 62 ranked Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in the 4th round of Wimbledon 2010.

The pounding took only 46 minutes. Who is this Petra Kvitova who can knock off a high seed without hardly breaking a sweat? In her post match press conference, the questions were not about how she thought she played, but the first question to her was: “We don’t know who you are very well. Can you tell us a little bit about you?” Her answer didn’t really clear things up very much. “I was born in Bilovec, Fulnek is my residence and I’m practising in Prostejov.”

Clijsters advances to Quarterfinals with win over Henin

In a 4th round battle of Belgian countrywomen seeking their first Wimbledon championship, No. 8 seed, Kim Clijsters advanced to keep her hopes alive winning over No. 17 seed, Justine Henin 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 at Wimbledon 2010.

Kim had to fight back from down a set. She won the 2nd set, then made a decisive break in the eighth game of the final set after Justine overhit a forehand, then served out the match. Justine received treatment on her elbow after injuring a tendon when she fell while lunging for a shot early in the first set.

Serena Williams downs Sharapova

World No. 1 Serena Williams of the USA advanced to the Quarterfinals of Wimbledon 2010 by downing No. 17 Maria Sharapova of Russia.

It was a close match from the start, with the 1st set going to a tie-break. Maria had two set points in the tie-break but was unable to convert. Maria then committed a double fault that was a good foot beyond the service line. That gave Serena her third set point. She slammed an ace down the middle and the first set was hers at 11-9. Serena continued hitting booming serves and went on to win the 2nd set 6-4.

Venus Williams cruises into 4th round

Five-time Wimbledon champion, and current World No. 2, Venus Williams, advanced to the 4th round of Wimbledon 2010 without really being challenged.

Her victims have been , 6-3, 6-2, Ekaterina Makarova, 6-0, 6-4, Alisa Kleybanova, 6-4, 6-2.

Venus’ next opponent will be No. 92 ranked Jarmila Groth.

Venus has had a rather easy draw. Looking ahead if she wins her next two matches, she could face Jelena Jankovic, Kim Clijsters, or Justine Henin in the semifinals.

Sharapova easily into round 3 at Wimbledon

Maria Sharapova of Russia, former World No. 1 and 2004 Wimbledon champion, has easily gained the 3rd round at Wimbledon 2010.

Maria seems to be on cruise control, downing countrywoman, Anastasia Pivovarova 6-1, 6-0, and Raluca Olaru of Romania, 6-1, 6-4.

At this point, Maria seems to have come back quite well from last year’s shoulder injury. She will face Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova of the Czech Republic in round three. Her quarter of the draw sets up a potential match against current World No. 1 Serena Williams of the USA in round four.

Jankovic advances to 4th round at Wimbledon

Fourth seed and former No. 1, Jelena Jankovic of Serbia posted an easy win over No. 29 seed, Alona Bondarenko of the Ukraine Friday, 6-0, 6-3 to gain a berth in round 4 at Wimbledon 2010.

Henin advances to face Clijsters at Wimbledon

Former World No. 1, Justine Henin of Belgium, advanced Friday to the 4th round at Wimbledon 2010, by defeating No. 13 seed, Nadia Petrova of Russia, 6-1, 6-4. Nadia had no answer for Justine’s powerful on-target backhands and improved serve.

In the 4th round on Monday, 27-year-old Justine will play her compatriot, this year’s champ at Miami and the last year’s U.S. Open champion, 26-year-old No. 8 seed and former World No. 1, Kim Clijsters. Justine and Kim are tied at 12-12 in career matches. Kim has won the last two times they have played. In the final at Brisbane last January, Kim defeated Justine 6-3 4-6 7-6(6). And in the semifinals at Miami in March, Kim won again, 6-2, 6-7(3), 7-6(6).

Clijsters and Henin headed for 4th round Belgian showdown

Belgian countrywomen Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters are headed for a potential 4th round showdown. Both have advanced into the 3rd round, and one more win each will pit them against each other.

It would make a very interesting match, putting 8th seeded Kim against 17th seeded Justine. Both are playing in their 1st Wimbledon since coming out of retirement, and both are working on winning their first Wimbledon. They both made the semifinal in their last Wimbledon appearance, Kim in 2006 and Justine in 2007. Justine has made the final twice, but did not win either one.