Radwanska still standing as Kvitova falls

 

Originally published on: 02/07/13 00:00

Agnieszka Radwanska is the highest-ranked player left in the draw after she converted her eighth match point to defeat Li Na 7-6(5) 4-6 6-2. She ended the match with strapping on both thighs after an absorbing contest.

"My legs are a bit overused, but I think if it’s the end of a Grand Slam you don’t really think about the pain or anything else," Radwanska said. "I was pushing myself, 200 per cent, to fight until the end. I think there’s no limit to how much pain I have to feel to give up."

Li, the sixth seed, was one of two players in the quarter-finals to have won a Grand Slam title, but paid the price for 40 unforced errors. "I have tried my best and I don't think there is any regret," she said.

Radwanska will face Sabine Lisicki in the semi-finals on Thursday after the German followed up her shock win over Serena Williams with a confident 6-3 6-3 victory over Laura Robson's conqueror Kaia Kanepi. "It was an amazing match yesterday and I had to calm myself down, but I think the experience that I got from three previous quarter-finals here helped me," Lisicki said. "There is no pressure for me because it is a game that I love so much and I want to keep it that way."

On the other half of the draw, Kirsten Flipkens stunned former champion Petra Kvitova 6-4 3-6 6-4. The 27-year-old, who lost her funding last year after a health scare, claimed the biggest win of her career to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final."It's amazing, more than a dream coming true," she said. "Semi-finals of a Grand Slam, ridiculous. Last year I didn't get into qualifying of Wimbledon."

Kvitova battled hard, but after receiving medical treatment late in the match, was unable to find a way back against the Belgian. With the Czech and Li both falling on Tuesday, there will be a first-time Grand Slam champion crowned on Saturday.

Flipkens will meet 2007 runner-up Marion Bartoli in the semi-finals after the Frenchwoman defeated Sloane Stephens 6-4 7-5.

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