Yesterday, number three seed Li Na fell and today second seed Vera Zvonareva was dominated by young Tsvetana Pironkova, 6-2, 6-3. On Friday, Caroline Wozniacki delivered her message and sealed it with one unforced error.

Tsvetana Pironkova

Play at Wimbledon this year has been unpredictable. Much of that is caused by the return of two of the game’s biggest names and producers Serena and Venus Williams. These two players have led the media and many former players to question the validity of the rankings. One analyst in particular, Chris Evert, seems to have made it her personal calling to assuage Ms. Wozniacki’s play.

On Friday, the Great Dane faced a dangerous opponent who has recorded 11 upsets of top ten players. Virginie Razzano of France has the reputation as a spoiler and Caroline fit the mold. However, the top seed played nearly flawless tennis for 66 minutes and booted Razzano 6-1, 6-3. Wozniacki committed one unforced error in the entire match. That is a statistic that nobody will equal at Wimbledon this year.

The Dane has also added some spice to her game and her mental and physical strengths are always unquestioned. Whether Caroline wins Wimbledon or not, she is clearly the best player on the WTA circuit until someone proves otherwise.

Fourth seeded Victoria Azarenka was in a dogfight with improving Daniela Hantuchova until the rains halted play in the third set. Daniela had never lost to Azarenka and was poised to make one more run before the rain came. The pause played to Victoria’s advantage as she stormed back onto the court with refreshed energy. If she was going to lose, it was not going to be because she played cat and mouse. When Victoria’s power game is working and she is focused, she can beat anyone on the tour. The result of the shift to a higher gear could not be matched by Hantuchova. The four seed moves on with a nifty 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win.

Maria Sharapova was well aware what a seventeen year old can do on Wimbledon’s grass. After all, that is how old Maria was when she won her first title. Laura Robson of the host country put on a display of bold and a fearless display of smart, sharp play. The dangerous fifth seed, Sharapova, was pushed by the grit of Robson and was glad to escape with a 7-6 (4), 6-3 triumph.

Venus Williams dispatched overmatched Spaniard Marie Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-0, 6-2. Williams will now benefit from a needed two-day rest before her next match. Williams displayed all the talent that has led her to five Wimbledon titles.

Second seed Vera Zvonareva was given no quarter by young Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria. The lanky 32nd seed thoroughly dominated the Russian 6-2, 6-3. Zvonareva is headed in the wrong directions in the rankings. The win puts the Bulgarian into the fourth round and earns her a weekend of rest. Tsvetana will face Venus Williams in her next appearance.

9th seeded Marion Bartoli moved on after an unexpected tussle with Spain’s Lourdes Dominiquez Lino. Bartoli used all her resources to overcome the Spaniard, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

With the retirement of Justin Henin and the injuries to Kim Clijsters, Yanina Wickmayer carries Belgium’s flag. She did so admirably on Friday, knocking out 12th seeded Zvetlana Kuznetsova in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

In another major upset, Andrea Petkovic, the top German and number 11 seed fell to Ksenia Pervak, 6-4, 7-6 (2). Petkovic was well positioned to keep pace with her talented teammates but Pervak played clean, strong tennis and was not intimidated by Andrea power.

Czech Petra Kvitova held her eighth seed with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Roberta Vinci. Kvitova has the talent and power to go deep into then draw. Kvitova had seven aces and 37 outright winners.

Similar Posts

Zvonareva and Clijsters In, Wozniacki, Williams Out

Zvonareva And Wozniacki Blow Into Semis

Venus, Azarenka and Zvonareva Advance