Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. Andrea Petkovic (GER)

Germany’s Andrea Petkovic (30) made fast work of 14th seeded Maria Sharapova.

Maria Sharapova Exits

The 6’0” German showed no signs of nerves and came out firing. Andrea did not stop for 79 minutes when the match ended 6-2, 6-3. Petkovic had no double faults and made just nine unforced errors compared to 30 from Maria Sharapova. Andrea won 70% of her first serves while Maria won 56%.

Petkovic is a dangerous opponent. She has a big game, more power than Maria, and is very nimble along the baseline. Of course, all that reach helps as well. The 23-year old is composed and confident. Watch out Vera!

Wozniacki Bracket – Day 7

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. Anastasia Sevasota (LAT) – The two 20-year olds put on a great show. Sevasota came out aggressively and often looked to be controlling the tempo. Wozniacki’s experience helped win the match. She never faltered and chased everything down. Although the same age, Caroline is clearly a seasoned player.

The top seed’s conditioning appears to be in good form while Sevasota struggled under the hot sun and pressure. We have not seen the end on Anastasia.

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) vs. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) – If you missed this one, you missed the match of the tournament. Two highly competitive Grand Slam Champions went at each other in the longest WTA match ever played by women. Neither player deserved to lose. Both players deserved to win. To her credit, Schiavone never stopped moving. She made Svetlana hit too many balls and ended up winning some because the Russian seemed to lose her legs.

The four hour forty-four minute marathon featured two extraordinary shotmakers. The 6-4, 1-6, 18-16 Schiavone win thrilled a packed house that at times seems mystified by the level of play.

In the third set, Kuznetsova lost six match points, but she held off ten break points from Schiavone. The play was filled with great court coverage from Schiavone and craftily constructed baseline play from Kuznetsova.

In the end, the match was won by Schiavone’s relentless pressure. The Italian never stopped moving. In fact, it seemed she was quicker at the end of the match than in the second set when she lost six straight games. Talk about suspense and emotional ebbs and flows, this one had it all.

Schiavone will next play another racehorse, Caroline Wozniacki

Li Na (CHN) vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) – When the eight and nine seeds get together, anything can happen. China’s Li carried the play against Victoria Azarenka and reached the quarters with a quiet 6-3, 6-3 win over the statuesque Azarenka. Neither player served well. Li converted 5 of 6 break chances but Victoria could manage to break just 2 of 9 opportunities.

Li made hay on Azarenka’s feeble second serve winning 11 of 13 second serves. Li is vastly improved. Her court coverage rivals Schiavone’s and she is a better shotmaker.

Li will get a power test from Germany’s Petkovic who will not err like Victoria did.

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