German success at Wimbledon
July 3, 2012Angelique Kerber came out on top in an all-German quarterfinal clash at Wimbledon on Tuesday, defeating Sabine Lisicki 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 to advance to the semifinals of the Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career.
Kerber is to move on to face either Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska or Russia’s Maria Kirilenko for a place in Saturday's final.
Earlier in the day, Philipp Kohlschreiber had made history by becoming the fourth German to advance to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in a single year. He beat Brian Baker of the United States 6-1, 7-6, 6-3 and is now set to face the winner of the match between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France and the American, Mardy Fish, in the quarters.
This is the first time that Kohlschreiber, 28, has advanced to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event.
Kohlschreiber joined his Davis Cup teammate Florian Mayer in the next round, after Mayer defeated Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 to advance. This is the second time that the 29-year-old Mayer has advanced the quarterfinals of the world's most prestigious tennis tournament, having done so once previously in 2004.
"It's a wonderful dream for me. Eight years ago I already got to the quarterfinals here, and now it's happened again," said Mayer, who now goes on to face the world No. 1 and defending Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic.
"It will be tough, he's the clear favorite," Mayer said. "I have nothing to lose and will do my best to cause him some trouble."
pfd/ng (SID, dpa)