Blow it Up: The Ladies Draw is Wide Open after Deluge of Upsets

For the second straight major tournament, there are none of the top three seeds on the ladies side in the quarterfinals. Not only that, but today, both of the Williams sisters were knocked out today as well. Serena Williams was defeated in two very tight sets 6-3, 7-6 (7) by 2007 finalist Marion Bartoli. Immediately afterwards, her sister Venus was trounced by Tsvetana Pironkova, who defeated her last year as well. To blow the draw up further, Caroline Wozniacki lost to Dominka Cibulkova 7-5 in the third after winning the first 6-1 but losing the second set tiebreaker 7-5. It was a heartbreaking loss for the number one ranked woman. After the jump, we'll look at what else happened today on the ladies side and preview the quarterfinals, which will take place tomorrow.



In other action, big favorites Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka won their respective matches rather easily. They are the two highest remaining seeds remaining at number 8 and 4. Bartoli, for her sake, is number 9. Also, Sabine Lisicki, who defeated Li Na in her third round match, defeated Petra Cetkovska 7-6, 6-1. Maria Sharapova, the 5 seed, also won very easily.

Ladies Quarterfinals

Maria Sharapova vs. Dominka Cibulkova
Cibulkova is coming off the biggest win of her career, defeating Caroline Wozniacki in a three set thriller. However, she faces an even tougher test in Maria Sharapova, the 2004 champion here with a much larger grass court pedigree. This will be tough for Cibulkova, especially because she is coming off of two extremely tough and taxing three setters. Sharapova, on the other hand, has rolled through this tournament so far.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2

Sabine Lisicki vs. Marion Bartoli
This is the most intriguing match-up on paper, as "Boom-Boom" Lisicki has been on a roll so far this tournament, and Bartoli is coming off arguably the biggest win of her career against Serena Williams. Lisicki has tons of power, but Bartoli has the all around game that on grass can give anyone problems. She is also the smarter player, and this should help her figure Lisicki out.
Prediction: Bartoli in 3

Tamira Paszek vs. Victoria Azarenka.
Paszek has had a great run during the 2011 Championships, but now she is thrown into the very deep end, facing the number 4 see Azarenka. Azarenka has been playing extremely well, and with the absence of the WIlliams sisters, and Wozniacki, many are looking at Azarenka to break through and win her first major. The pressure might be her biggest opponent in this match, as on paper, this looks like she should win comfortably,  but with Azraenka, you never know.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2

Petra Kvitova vs. Tsvetana Pironkova
This is the other very intriguing match on the lineup tomorrow. Pironkova is a veritable grass court specialist, defeating Venus Williams twice in the past two years here and backing up her semifinal appearance last year with a quarterfinal run this year. Kvitova, however, is a huge obstacle. She hits hard, serves big, and is a lefty, something you don't seem much on the WTA Tour. Her game is suited for grass as well, and like Azarenka, people are waiting for her to break through and win a major. This is, like Azarenka, the best time for her to do so.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3