Sabine Lisicki, a 5’10” 154 pound power player fought off a surprising number of match points and broke the third seeded Na at 5-4 in the third set. It was a stunning reversal and had the Wimbledon fans on their feet for much of the match.

Lisicki Lisicki resides in Bradenton and represents Germany, but on this day she represented a strong field of underdogs in a women’s field that is wide open.

Sabine Lisicki

Sabine Lisicki is generally regarded as the third ranked German behind Andrea Petkovic and Julia Goerges.

Lisicki improved her 2011 record to 16 -5 in what may have been the biggest win in her career. Li is no stranger to pressure, having made the finals in Melbourne and winning in Paris. Sabine had every reason to crumble under Li’s consistent play. As the 3-6, 6-4, 8-6 match unfolded, Lisicki seemed to find a hole with Li’s usually reliable forehand. Na began to show frustration after holding a 3-5, 15-40 lead with Lisicki serving.

The German first blasted a 122 mph ace. She followed with a 123 mph serve wide that Li was able to touch but unable to handle. At deuce she served another 122 mph winner and completed the game with a 123 mph ace down the middle. Li was clearly shaken and could not convert another match point when Lisicki blasted a return down the line.

At 5-5, both players held serve until Lisicki jumped ahead 15-40 on Li’ service at 6-7. As another Li forehand sailed wide, the German sank to her knees in tears of exhaustion and fulfillment. The fans gave both players a standing ovation.

Lisicki had the numbers of a serious threat. She committed 21 unforced errors, one more than Li, but had 17 aces and 32 winners compared to Li’s 24. Lisicki is now well positioned for a run and will face Japan’s Misaki Doi, a surprise winner over China’s Jie Zhen, 6-3, 6-1.

Another big upset took place when Russia’s veteran power player, Nadia Petrova, seriously outplayed rising Russian teenager and 14th seed, Anastasia Pavyluchenkova, 6-3, 6-3. Anastasia only hit 15 winners and committed 24 unforced errors in an unexpected collapse of confidence and competitive spirit. Petrova next faces Kateryna Bonderenko, a three set winner over Sara Errani.

Eighth seed German Andrea Petkovic wasted no time disposing of Anne Keothavong of Great Britain, 6-2, 6-1. If form holds, Andrea is on course to meet Vera Zvonareva in the quarters.

After her win against Vesnina, Zvonareva will next face left-hander Tsvetana Pironkova, the 31st seed. Pironkova can give anyone for with her solid serve and big spin.

Of course, this was Serena Williams’ day to shine. The rebounding American advanced to the third round but was slow to start and opened the first set for Rumanian teenager Simona Halep to grab the momentum. Halep seemed surprised with her success and midway through the second set, the momentum clearly shifted to Williams, the seventh seed. Serena moved on with the 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 triumph.

In other matches of interest, Francesca Schiavone quietly advanced along with a very sharp Ana Ivanovic, Julia Goerges and Dominika Cibulkova.

There were two surprising upsets. The normally consistent Aggie Radwanska (13) fell to Petra Cetkovska. 31st seed Lucie Safarova was given the boot by Klara Zakopalova in three tough sets.

Big names will be inaction and it seems that the unseeded are going after the seeds as if there were targets on their backs.

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