WIMBLEDON – In a quarterfinal battle between German women, No. 8 Angelique Kerber defeated No. 15 Sabine Lisicki 6-3, 6-7 (7), 7-5 on Tuesday at Wimbledon under the roof of Centre Court. Kerber reaches her first Wimbledon semifinal with the victory.
In the topsy-turvy match Kerber failed to take advantage of three match points in the second set.
“She played very well also in the important moments,†Kerber noted. “I had my chances. I couldn’t take it in the second. So, yeah, I mean, I think the challenge in the third set where I was serving, it was 4‑5, I think that was the change. I think that saved my life in this match right now today.â€
In the deciding set, Kerber opened with a break, but quickly fell behind. Lisicki was up 5-3 serving for the match when Kerber broke to stay in the match. Kerber then held and broke Lisicki again to win the match. Kerber won the last four games in the match.
“It was a very tough match,†Kerber said. “I mean, I think everybody saw that it was a very tough fight for both of us. And, I mean, I actually don’t know what to say right now because Sabine with playing also unbelievable in the third set. She saved the match points in the second set.
“I was just with my mind a little bit in the final in Eastbourne where I lost with match points also. So I think, yeah, it was a very tough, tough and important match for me.â€
“It’s a great victory for me,†Kerber said. It’s for sure one of my, yeah, best things in my career right now to be in the second semis at the Grand Slams.
“I mean, I will go out there Thursday and try my best. Actually, I have nothing to lose right now. I will just try to play good tennis and enjoy the second semi Grand Slam final for me.â€