Sharapova Crashes Out, Venus, Jankovic Move Closer To Meeting!

June 26th, 2008

London, England

Yesterday was almost a day of upsets when Ana Ivanovic barely survived her 2nd Round encounter with Nathalie Dechy. So no one could predict that Day 4 of the Championships would bring a few upsets to the Top 10 seeds.

Maria Sharapova who won in 2004, reached the Semi's in 2005 and 2006, lost in the fourth round last year, failed to make an impact at the 2008 Wimbledon championships. Looking tense and dispirited from the beginning, Sharapova was being dictated from the baseline by fellow compatriot, Alla Kudryavtseva. Sharapova never looked comfortable which is odd since this is probably her favorite surface. The shorts wearing blonde went out with an easy 6-2, 6-4 scoreline. Sharapova will have to regroup to play her best later on this summer at the Olympics.

Venus Williams, the defending champion didn't have a extremely tough time on court today, but she too started off slowly, being pushed to win a 7-5 set over her British opponent, Anne Keothavong. The second set was where Williams restored order and won with a 6-2 scoreline. Her possible opponent in the Quarter-Finals, Jelena Jankovic had an easy time dispatching Carla Suarez Navarro for the second straight slam. Jankovic who seems to be playing the steadiest out of all the top players won 6-1, 6-3. Daniela Hantuchova was the other Top 10 seeded player to fall today. Lindsay Davenport withdrew from the tournament with a knee injury.

Tomorrow is highlighted by the Serena Williams vs. Amelie Mauresmo 3rd Round encounter, as well as Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova who will also be in action.

Results:

Centre Court:

(7)Venus Williams d. Anne Keothavong - 7-5, 6-2

Court 1:

Alla Kudryavtseva d. (3)Maria Sharapova - 6-2, 6-4

Court 2:

(9)Dinara Safina d. Su-Wei Hsieh - 6-3, 6-2

(2)Jelena Jankovic d. Carla Suarez Navarro - 6-1, 6-3

Court 3:

Gisela Dulko d. (25)Lindsay Davenport - Walkover

Alisa Kleybanova d. (10)Daniela Hantuchova - 6-3, 4-6, 6-1

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Ana Ivanovic - Round 3

2. Jelena Jankovic - Round 3

3. Maria Sharapova - Lost 2nd Round (Kudryavsteva)

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Round 3

5. Elena Dementieva - Round 3

6. Serena Williams - Round 3

7. Venus Williams - Round 3

8. Anna Chakvetadze - Round 3

9. Dinara Safina - Round 3

10. Daniela Hantuchova - Lost 2nd Round (Kleybanova)