Force Lisicki too strong for wily Radwanska in epic semi
Updated: 2013-07-05 08:29
(Agencies)
|
||||||||
Tough nut
It should have come as no surprise that Lisicki was a tough nut to crack because she came back from a career-threatening ankle injury in 2010 which forced her off the tour for five months and sent her tumbling down the rankings.
The 23-year-old, who lost to Maria Sharapova in the 2011 Wimbledon semis, wrapped up the first set in 33 minutes and, brimming with confidence, broke again in the opening game of the second.
The match then turned on its head, however, as Lisicki's concentration faltered and Radwanska started to get a read on her opponent's serve.
She immediately broke back and moved 3-1 ahead and although the German kept going for her shots and was rewarded with another break in the next game, Radwanska had the momentum and took the set.
Lisicki's serve, which had been such a weapon early in the match was in disarray. She was broken for the fifth successive time at the start of the third set and trailed 3-0.
That was the position she found herself in against Williams and once again the threat of defeat brought out her best.
She swiftly rediscovered her form, fighting back to level at 3-3 and breaking again to lead 5-4.
She served for the match, but in keeping with what had gone before, she faltered and was broken.
In the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Center Court, both players diced with danger.
Radwanska saved two break points to hold for a 7-6 lead but was unable to repeat the trick as Lisicki broke decisively in the 15th game when her opponent sent a volley long.
After choking the first time, she kept her cool, ending a dramatic contest with a forehand winner and falling face first onto the turf.
"I've been dreaming about that since I'm a little girl," she said. "That's why I said it's the best place to play my first grand slam final. I couldn't imagine any better place.
"I just can't wait to play Saturday."
- Brutal Bartoli destroys Flipkens to reach Wimbledon final
- Murray wins his quarter-final at Wimbledon
- Djokovic, Murray reach semifinal at Wimbledon
- Juan Martin del Potro's quarter-final Wimbledon
- Wimbledon exit means net it be for China's Li
- Flipkens defies doctors' orders to light up Wimbledon courts
- Upsets and injuries at 2013 Wimbledon
- Wimbledon women's quarterfinal match
- 'Taken 2' grabs movie box office crown
- Rihanna's 'Diamonds' tops UK pop chart
- Fans get look at vintage Rolling Stones
- Celebrities attend Power of Women event
- Ang Lee breaks 'every rule' to make unlikely new Life of Pi film
- Rihanna almost thrown out of nightclub
- 'Dark Knight' wins weekend box office
- 'Total Recall' stars gather in Beverly Hills
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Tunnel builders sweat it out on new rail line |
Graduates face grim hunt for job |
Parents learn a lesson on homes |
Taking the reins of great change |
Lifting the veil of feng shui |
A growing thirst for water safety |
Today's Top News
Mandela still 'critical but stable'
Figures show shifts in US, China economies
Chinese electrician killed in Cambodia
EU and US set for free trade talks
Egypt's Brotherhood Leader arrested
China and Canada to form pact
China to protect memorial sites for martyrs
Top judge underlines justice
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |