With Ana Ivanovic an Maria Sharapova out of the tournament, Jelena Jankovic could have become the new World No. 1. But it wasn't Jelena's day, as she fell to Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn in straight sets, 63 62.For 1 hour and 15 minutes Jankovic battled her opponent, but couldn't come up with the right shots, ending the match with 19 unforced, being broken four times, and making five double faults.
"I was really happy just to be on the court, especially because after the MRI I had two days ago the doctors told me I'm questionable to even play," said Jankovic, who injured her knee during a third round win over Caroline Wozniacki. "I was late on every shot. I was always a step behind. I did the best I could though, and she was just too solid. She didn't make any mistakes. All the credit to her."
She made quite a lot of double faults at the end of the second set and I noticed she was struggling with her movement," Tanasugarn said. "If she was 100% it would have been a much, much tougher match. But today I just went out there and played my game, played aggressively, and it worked out for me."
Jankovic admitted to frustration for not being able to play her best, and discussed what's in store for her in the near future: "It was hard because I couldn't compete at my best. When you're not 100% healthy, it's very hard, especially on grass, where you have to move well and be behind the ball. But now I'm finished here I don't risk making it worse, so I can rest for a while and start getting ready for the hardcourt tournaments coming up in the summer."
This is the second time in the Open Era that the top 3 seeds haven't reached the quarterfinals together, the first in 1997, when No. 4 Martina Hingis won the title when No. 1 Steffi Graf and No. 3 Conchita Martinez fell in the fourth round and No. 2 seed Aranxta Sanchez Vacario fell in the third round.
"Can I say wow wow wow? Being in the fourth round so many years and to make it into the quarterfinals this year is a really good feeling," Tanasugarn declared. "Every year my goal was to be in the quarterfinals and I never made it. I was very disappointed the other times. But this year I've just been concentrating on my matches. I was even happy to reach the fourth round again."
Two years ago, at the age of 29, Tanasugarn was contemplating retirement from the Tour, but an impressive run at Wimbledon - go figure - revitalized her career, and her goals and motivations completely changed.
"During that time I was thinking of stopping. I had to play qualies that year, then just started trying to have fun and just go out and play my matches. Suddenly I qualified and got back to the third round again. I could feel it coming back. I was probably just burnt out around that time but now I've learned how to take care of my body and plan my schedule. Now I'm just trying to try hard and have fun."
Next up for Tanasugarn is No.7 seed and defending champion Venus Williams, against whom she is 0-6 - and 0-12 in sets, having only even taken her to a 6-4 set twice (two 6-3 sets, five 6-2 sets and three 6-1 sets). This is their first time playing on grass, but Williams is also somewhat of a grass court specialist.
"I've played her so many times and she has kicked my butt," Tanasugarn said. "I'm just happy to be in the quarterfinals. No pressure at all for me. I'll just go out there, have fun and do my best."
Kuznetsova crushed; Williams sisters advance
Svetlana Kuznetsova could have gotten the chance to be the new No . 1 because Jankovic had been beaten, but it didn't happen. Kuznetsova failed to advance to the quarterfinals after falling to Polish rising star Agnieszka Radwanska in three sets, 64 16 75.
"In the first set I was playing more aggressively, then from the second set until 4-1 in the third, she was the boss on the court," Radwanska said. "I was just trying to fight and play like I did in the first set, because that was the way to win the match. It was 50-50 in the end, and I'm really happy I was able to win."
I don't know why, but I stopped doing whatever I did that was bringing me success," Kuznetsova said. "I'm pretty surprised I changed that. You can never change the tactics when you're winning. Suddenly I started playing on the baseline, and it goes quickly on grass. I lost my serve on an easy forehand into the net. I lost my chance there."
Serena and Venus Williams advanced, as they won their matches in straight sets. Serena beat American Bethanie Mattek, 63 63, to get one step closer to the final possibly with her sister Venus. Venus crushed Russian Alisa Kleybanova also in straight sets, 63 64.
We're just really trying to stay focused," Serena stated. "We both have some tough opponents coming into the quarterfinals. I'm just trying to keep winning, to be honest. There's a lot of depth in women's tennis. Everyone is playing so well. You can't underestimate anyone, whether it's the first round or the finals. You have to play everyone with that same tenacity."
"I'm extremely focused at this point on the doubles and on my quarterfinal," Venus said. "I realize that nothing is a given. If it was, then every single seed would be lined up ready to play each other now, but it's not. I'm happy with the progression. Every player is challenging. I'm very happy to have gotten through."
Next to face Serena is Agnieszka Radwanska, who rallied back from from 4-1 down in the third to win to Svetlana Kuznetsova, 64 16 75.
Next up for Venus is Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn, who stunned No. 2 seed Jelena Jankovic easily in straight 63 62.
Dementieva to face Petrova; Zheng to face Vaidisova
There will be an all-Russian quarterfinal between Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova, as they both won their matches in straight sets. Dementieva, the No. 5 seed, crushed Shahar Peer easily, 62 61. Petrova prevailed against Alla Kudryavtseva, who won to one of the Russian favorites, Maria Sharapova, in the second round, 61 64.
"It's an opportunity for me, and Nadia as well, to move into the semifinals," said Dementieva, who is 4-7 lifetime against Petrova, and 0-2 on grass. "I'm sure it's going to be difficult match. I know Na
dia likes to play here, and she always had great results playing on grass. It's going to be tough."
dia likes to play here, and she always had great results playing on grass. It's going to be tough.""I'm very excited to be through the second week of Wimbledon," said Petrova, who had a solid grass court warm-up season, reaching the final of Eastbourne before falling to Radwanska in a marathon three-setter. "I realize I have a good draw to be in the quarters, and all I need to do is just stay there, have my head focused and play the right tactics, play smart."
Jie Zheng, who got a wildcard into Wimbledon, is going to play Czech Nicole Vaidisova. Zheng beat top seed Ana Ivanovic in the third round easily; and Nicole Vaidisova beat No. 8 seed Anna Chakvetadze in a thrilling three-setter to get into the quarterfinals.
"I'm definitely very, very excited," Vaidisova said. "Playing here in the quarters last year and being back here just feels very good. Zheng is a great player. I saw her playing last week a little bit. It's the quarterfinals, so it's definitely be tough."
I don't want to think about the semifinals because I want to concentrate on my next match," said Zheng, who is the second Chinese player ever to reach this round of a Grand Slam, following Li Na at this event two years ago. "I just want to keep going, try my best and not think about it too much. It's my first quarterfinal."
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