Flipkens Flips the Wimbledon Script; 1st-Time Winner Guaranteed

by Staff | July 3rd, 2013, 12:19 am
  • 12 Comments

There will be a guaranteed first-time winner at Wimbledon this year on the women’s side after No. 20-seed Kirsten Flipkens of Begium defeated the last remaining former Wimbledon winner in the draw, No. 8 Petra Kvitova, by a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 scoreline in the Tuesday quarterfinals.
ADHEREL
“It’s ridiculous!” Flipkens said. “Last year I didn’t even get into qualifying. To be a semifinalist at Wimbledon, it cannot be better. I was so calm on the court, I had nothing to lose and I just went for my shots…Kim (Clijsters) was one of the few people still believing in me last year so I have to thank her. I’m just enjoying every moment. It’s more than a dream.”

In the semifinals Flipkens will face No. 15 seed Marion Bartoli, who battled through a rain-delayed 6-4, 7-5 victory over No. 17-seeded American Sloane Stephens.

In a battle of the top two highest remaining seeds, No. 4 Aggie Radwanska soft-balled No. 6 Li Na to death 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-2.


Radwasnka in the semis will meet the Serena-killer Sabine Lisicki, as the No. 23 seed dispatched of unseeded Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 6-3.

“I was ready for this match,” Lisicki said. “I knew from experience I needed to make the switch quickly from beating Serena to get back to business here, and that was what I did so I’m very pleased. I feel no pressure at all. I went out to enjoy my game and win the match…I thought anything was possible before the tournament started.”

Radwanska says the meeting will be an interesting one with their history.

“Will be good challenge,” she said. “We know each other since the juniors tournaments, so, you know, is always a good challenge to play someone like Sabine — especially this is a semifinal of a Grand Slam. Well, we going to fight, for sure.”

 


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12 Comments for Flipkens Flips the Wimbledon Script; 1st-Time Winner Guaranteed

James Says:

This is wonderful news! Well, it is for my favorite Sabine! :-)
I was more worried about her facing Li Na than Aga simply because Li was playing so good against Vinci. Aga is a very good defensive player, we saw that against Li. Hopefully Ms Lisicki’s big serves and groundstrokes can take her to the finals. Had always said Sabine is a future Slam winner. Hope she proves me right. Go Sabine!!


skeezer Says:

Flipkens and Sabine, hope they can continue to bring some excitement in Womens tennis!

“No. 4 Aggie Radwanska soft-balled No. 6 Li Na to death 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-2.”

@Staff…we all watchin the same match? SOFTBALLIN? WTF?

All I saw was Rad touching the grass with her knees whilst hitting bombs from the baseline against the formidable Li Na.

“Classic” battle.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Womens tennis just got a whole lot more interesting IMO anyway,a brand new Wimbledon champion,and a 1st time GS winner how refreshing,just hope that whichever lady wins will take this forward and challenge the Williams,Sharapovas,Azarenkas,its about time we had another female rising star to challenge that domination.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Just to say also congrats to Kirsten Flipkins,although what Sabine has done is fantastic,IMO whatever happens now has been the star of this tounament,beating a former Wimbledon champion to make the semis,i hope she beats Bartoli and makes the final.


Margot Says:

Gota agree with Skeeze about Radwanska. And what makes her so interesting is that she is NOT a power player. She has to win using her exceptional movement, anticipation and variety of shot making.
Watching her use Na’s power against her was amazing.
My money would be slightly on Lisicki though. Dunno what their H2H is


James Says:

@Margot, Radwanska-Lisicki h2h is 1-1. Don’t think they’ve played on grass before. Lisicki is a better GC player imo but one just cannot count out Radwanska. Should be a good match and the winner perhaps will also go on to be the new champion.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

I would be happy either way for Lisicki or Radwanska to make the final,so i will enjoy the match and will be happy with whatever outcome,i am really pulling for Flipkins on the other side,i think it would be an amazing story,to make the final after everything shes been through,you go Kirsten give it your best shot,love an underdog doing so well.


grendel Says:

“Aga is a very good defensive player, we saw that against Li.”

She is also a very good offensive player. She spots the openings – and has the skill and quickness of thought to take advantage.


Kimberly Says:

I can’t stand bartoli. All I care is that she is eliminated as soon as possible as she has a very real shot of winning this title. I will root for flipkins and then whoever plays her ion the final if flipkins can’t get it done.


grendel Says:

Radwanska/Flipkens could be an enjoyable battle of wits. Next year, no doubt normality will be restored.


ertorque Says:

Flipkens is 5 feet 4 inches. Now when was the last time a female tennis player below 5 feet 5 got into the semis of wimbledon? Not since Justin Henin perhaps?


RZ Says:

I like all 4 women, and it’s interesting that they all have different types of games. But I’m rooting for Radwanska to win the title. She’s been consistent for the last 2 years, and is less likely to suffer a walkabout after winning the title. Plus it would be in keeping with this year’s secondary theme at Wimbledon: Polish Power. (The primary theme being insanity)

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