2012 Wimbledon, on the 8th day of the championships there was more miserable weather. More matches suspended upsets. This time though, it was on the women’s side of 2012 Wimbledon. It was somewhat of a shock to see that WTA #1 Maria Sharapova (or Screamapova) was bumped out easily by Sabine Lisicki. Sharapova looked shaky the whole time she was out there. It never seemed like she was confident going into the match.
By the numbers, Sharapova and Lisicki were pretty close to even, both serving up 4 double faults, and piled up the unforced errors. Though the decider was Sabine picking up a few more winners than Maria, 18 winners to Sharapova’s 15. The German had more opportunity to break the Sharapova serve, capitalizing the chances four times.
I really got to hand it to Lisicki, this was a major match for her; a rematch of 2011 Wimbledon semifinal, where Maria beat Sabine 6-4, 6-3. This is bad news for Sharapova, since she won the 2012 French Open, she took the #1 ranking and now she gets knocked out early on. Her loss today also opens up the gates for a potential new finalist. We’ll see what the 2012 Wimbledon women’s quarterfinals will do to the remaining players. I have a feeling we will crown a new champion this year.
Another upset that I didn’t see coming was Kim Clijsters losing to Germany’s Angelique Kerber. Kim, who plans to re-retire after the US Open, fell quickly to Kerber. It’s always sad to see somebody player their final match. I hope that Kim has a better run at the US Open.
Other winners include Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Tamira Paszek, Petra Kivitova, Maria Kirilenko, and Agnieska Radwanska.
2012 Wimbledon – Men’s day 8
Roger Federer completed his 2012 Wimbledon fourth round match against the “X-Man” Xavier Malisse. Federer battled four sets and a stiff back. The weather at 2012 Wimbledon played a little on Federer’s back, the cold windy conditions never really allows one to fully be warmed up. I also imagine his third round match against Julien Benneteau had something to do with it as well. The two battle through five grueling sets. Federer after the match said, “So I asked for the trainer and doctor to come out just to talk about it, and I decided to have treatment inside. I guess it was a mix of my five-setter [against Julien Benneteau in the third round] and two days off and the cold wind today. Now it feels better than a few hours ago but I’m not too worried. I’ve had bad backs over the years. They go as quick as they come.”
Federer picked up just fine after his back assessment, lost the second set but rolled through the third and fourth set. His next match will be against Russian Mikhail Youzhny. This will be Roger Federer’s 14th match against Youzhny, Roger has a 100% win over the Russian. Should be a good match for Federer. I hope that Roger Federer’s back doesn’t give him trouble for the rest of the tournament, I have my fingers crossed for his return to the #1 position.
World #1, Novak Djokovic finished his match against fellow countryman, Victor Troicki with plenty of ease. Djokovic has had a rather easy first week at 2012 Wimbledon, never really facing much of a challenge; with the only real threat came from Radek Stepanek, where the Czech took one set.
All other 2012 Wimbledon matches of day 8 have been suspended due to weather, go figure. Andy Murray leads Marin Cilic 7-5, 3-1; Mardy Fish leads Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 1-1; Florian Mayer leads Richard Gasquet 6-3, 2-1. All 2012 Wimbledon fourth round matches will resume on Tuesday.