Lisicki stuns Serena as Robson bows out
Originally published on: 01/07/13 00:00
The German No.23 seed rallied from 0-3 down in the decider to stun the world No.1 and defending champion 6-2 1-6 6-4 on Centre Court.
It was the fourth time in as many visits to the All England Club that Lisicki has been responsible for ending the run of the reigning French Open champion, ousting Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2009, Li Na in 2011, Maria Sharapova last year and Williams, the red-hot favourite for the title this year.
The result leaves the draw wide open with No.4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska the highest-ranked player left in the tournament following an injury to Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova's early exit. Lisicki, who reached the semi-finals at SW19 in 2011, will meet Kaia Kanepi in the last eight following the Estonian's 7-6(6) 7-5 victory over British No.1 Laura Robson.
Williams looked to be firmly in control of the match after recovering from a first set deficit to lead 3-0 in the decider. However, the five-time champion showed signs of nerves as she allowed her opponent back into the match, before the German claimed the biggest win of her career to end Williams' 34-match winning streak.
"I didn't play the big points good enough – I didn't do what I do best," Williams admitted. "I had a little hesitation and that explains it. Sabine played really well, she always does on grass. I definitely had my opportunities and I didn't take them.
"It's not a shock: she plays really well on grass, she has a massive, massive serve, so you have to know it's not going to be an easy match. It's definitely something that's not a shock, I just need to do better."
She added: "Every time I step out on the court I'm the favourite. I've grown to be used to that and just play my game."
British tennis fans had been hoping for a quarter-final showdown between Williams and Robson, who was bidding to reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. However the 19-year-old, who reached the fourth round at the US Open last year, was unable to find a way past Kanepi.
“Last year at the US Open I was just kind of like happy to be there,” Robson said. “Today I went out and I really thought I had a chance of winning. I was feeling confident going into the match so it is more disappointing, I think, because I put so much pressure on myself.”
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