Dell'Acqua's press-conference

Articles

Stroll for Chakvetadze [Teletext 497]
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Eighth seed Anna Chakvetadze breezed into the fourth round with a 6-4 6-3 hammering of fellow Russian Evgeniya Rodina on Court 11.

The 18th-seeded Czech eased past Australian Casey Dell'Acqua 6-2 6-4 in 55 minutes on Court 18.
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Vaidišová vaults into last 16
Written by Kate Battersby (www.wimbledon.org)
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The number 18 seed Nicole Vaidišová continued to pull herself out of her springtime slump at Wimbledon today. The former French and Australian semi-finalist won a place in the last 16 with a straightforward win over Casey Dell'Acqua, 6-2 6-4, in a match featuring the first rain-delay of this Wimbledon.

By now, spots of rain were falling on Court 18. For a short time Dell'Acqua reduced her error-count, but she could not make her improvement stick, and Vaidišová was producing too many winners. She broke for 3-2 before play was suspended two games later. It was an hour and 48 minutes before they could continue, but the resumption was all too brief for Dell'Acqua. Vaidišová served it out to sew up her place in the last 16.
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Kuznetsova and Chakvetdaze ease Russian pain at Wimbledon (AFP)
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Anna Chakvetadze, the eighth seed, reached the fourth round for the first time with a 6-4 6-3 win over compatriot Evgeniya Rodina.

"I'm pretty positive. I always believed that I would come back."
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Vaidišová happy to be back on track (Reuters)
Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Justin Palmer
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Czech Nicole Vaidišová continued to rediscover her form at Wimbledon on Friday, beating Australian Casey Dell'Acqua 6-2 6-4 in a third-round clash.

Twice Major semi-finalist Vaidišová, who is now working with David Felgate - the former coach of British favourite Tim Henman - will face Anna Chakvetadze in the last 16 after the eighth seed beat fellow Russian Evgeniya Rodina 6-4 6-3.
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Vaidišová Continues Revival
By Tennis Week
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Nicole Vaidišová is one win removed from her second-straight Wimbledon quarter-final.

The 19-year-old Vaidišová could face Ivanovic in a quarter-final rematch if she can continue her career-mastery of Chakvetadze. Vaidišová has won both of her prior meetings with the 2007 US Open semi-finalist, though the pair have not met in two years.
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Fourth Round: Anna Chakvetadze (Monday 30th June)

My preview

I'm now down to just two members of my Eternal Fanship - Nicole Vaidišová and Anna Chakvetadze - but they're both slumping, and either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can reach the quarter-finals while the other survives.

Nicole and Anna have set up a mouthwatering fourth-round match against each other, which I didn't even dare to predict before the tournament began, given the slumps they've both been in recently - particularly Nicole.

Nicole lost 6 matches in a row prior to Birmingham, where she got two wins, but then suffered a dreadful 6-3 6-0 loss to Bethanie Mattek, followed by another poor, error-strewn performance to lose 6-2 6-4 to Olga Govortsova at Eastbourne. Nicole has tended to tank sets and matches that are going badly, and her confidence seemed to be at an all-time low.

However, Nicole has displayed very impressive form at Wimbledon so far:

NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ [18,EF]:
1r + Zuzana Ondrášková [Q], 6-2 6-2
2r + Samantha Stosur [WC], 6-2 0-6 6-4
3r + Casey Dell'Acqua, 6-2 6-4

At times, she has looked virtually unplayable, serving amazingly. However, her second-set tank against Stosur was alarming to watch, as she didn't look like she wanted to be on court at all.

Anna has also been a slump since winning Paris in February, although her results have been merely mediocre, rather than as spectacularly bad as Nicole's.

Anna survived a massive scare in the first round, being 3-5* down in the third set and saving three match-points. Her next two rounds were much more straightforward, although her form in them was very up and down - she's been pretty erratic at times, especially on the third stroke of the rally when she's serving. She's hit plenty of flairsome winners, though.

ANNA CHAKVETADZE [8,EF]:
1r + Stéphanie Dubois, 2-6 6-1 8-6
2r + Edina Gallovits, 6-4 6-2
3r + Evgeniya Rodina, 6-4 6-3

Nicole leads their head-to-head 2:0, but both matches came at a time when Nicole was in the top 16 and Anna was outside the top 30:
+ 2006 Australian Open 2r: Nicole 6-2 6-1
+ 2006 San Diego qf: Nicole 3-6 6-4 6-3 (after 3-6 *0-2 (30/40))

Anna will be keen to prove that she's come a long way since the Australian Open 2006, but it all depends on which Nicole shows up, because her form so far this Wimbledon has been either extremely brilliant or extremely bad, and her confidence seemed so fragile against Stosur.

If they will both be playing as well as they did in their third-round matches, then I would predict Nicole to win. If Nicole's serving well, then it will be very tough for Anna to stay with her; she'll need her one-two punches to be working much better than they have so far this Wimbledon.

Signs to look out for:

• How Nicole handles short balls: if Nicole is off-form, she'll miss a lot off shots off short balls that she should be punishing;
• Anna's one-two punch: if Anna is off-form, she'll miss a lot of shots on the third stroke of the rally when she's serving.

Wimbledon Round-of-Sixteen Preview
By Aaress Lawless
http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/06/29/wimbledon-round-of-sixteen-preview/
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This will be a loud match - and I'm not referring to the crowd. Anna Chakvetadze and Nicole Vaidišová are two of the most emotional players inside the top 50, so fans will hear outbursts in Russian, German, Czech, and probably a little English. Expect the winner to be the woman who beats herself up the least.

Anna Chakvetadze in 3 sets.
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I am delighted that the mouthwatering Nicole v Anna match will be on Court One, although I admit I'm surprised that they got show-court billing ahead of the Williams-sisters, Jankovic and Dementieva - all of whom are seeded higher and more famous, but have been consigned to outside courts.

Perhaps the OoP-committee recognises that Nicole v Anna is one of only two fourth-round matches between two seeds (the other being Kuznetsova v Radwanska, which is on Centre Court), or that neither of them have played on a show-court so far this Wimbledon. Or maybe Nicole and Anna are more popular in England than I realise.

It's also an upside to Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic's early exits, of course (I would have sacrificed Ana without hesitation if that would have made the difference between seeing Nicole v Anna on TV or not, but I would have sold my soul to prevent Maria's loss).

So far this Wimbledon, I can't remember any singles-match on Centre Court or Court One not being available on Freeview BBCi, so if I don't see Nicole v Anna on Monday, I shall cry.

My TV-report

+ NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ [18,EF] d. ANNA CHAKVETADZE [8,EF], 4-6 7-6 (7/0) 6-3

A mouthwatering match between the two most talented and attractive players left in the tournament, but unfortunately the BBC didn't give it the same priority as did the order-of-play committee: it was only available on Freeview from 4-6 *2-3 onwards, so I was left desperately wanting more of Anna at the end.

The match was serve-dominated, as befits the best server in women's tennis (Nicole) and the girl with the best one-two punch (Anna). There were only two breaks in the entire match, the first occurring when Anna broke Nicole to take the first set 6-4.

When BBCi started showing the match, both girls were very calm (at least, Anna was very calm for Anna!). Anna had made just 11 unforced errors to Nicole's 16.

Nicole had two nonconsecutive break-points at 4-4* in the second set, and another at 5-5* (40/30*). Her failure to convert them meant that she had to serve to stay in the match at *4-5 and *5-6, but she did so to 15 and love, respectively.

But Anna suffered a sudden emotional breakdown in the tiebreak, which Nicole won 7/0. Anna yelled "aargh" after netting a forehand on the first point, and looked close to tears after an unsuccessful Hawk-Eye challenge put her *0/3 down. Anna doubled over in frustration after hitting a forehand wide for *0/4, and Nicole completed her perfect tiebreak with a crosscourt forehand return-winner and two aces out wide.

Although I blame Anna's emotions for losing this match, I must admit that I love watching her (even more) when she gets emotional. Her reactions to losing points are unique and ultracute. In this match, she was doubling over in frustration, waggling her finger, stumbling backwards in an exaggerated fashion when a deep ball forced her into error, sinking to her knees, and sort of rolling along the baseline like her feet were wheels when stretched wide by a serve down the middle. Perhaps she should consider a second career as an actress!

Anna had a break-point in the first game of the third set, and with breaks coming at a premium in this match, it might well have made the difference. But Nicole saved it with an ace, and broke in the next game as a still-emotional Anna double-faulted (and stumbled backwards in yet another cute reaction).

They both played well at the same time after that break, and although it would prove decisive, it didn't seem inevitable at the time, given Nicole's history of choking and her recent fragile confidence.

The heart of the third set seemed to be a game of seven deuces on Anna's serve at 0-3, in which she saved four break-points, but held with three excellent points at the end: sealed with a pinpoint crosscourt backhand winner.

That game was not on the critical path as it turned out, though; it merely served to prolong the match and raise the quality to new heights: Nicole's service-game at 3-1 also went to deuce, and was full of winners from both girls.

Games continued to go with serve, and Anna's service-game at 2-5 contained a crosscourt backhand winner for her, and brilliant crosscourt forehand winner just inside the baseline from Nicole.

Nicole had her first match-point at *5-3 (40/30), but sprayed a wild forehand about ten feet long.

Nicole had all the luck with netcords in this match - particularly in the third set. Whenever a ball from Nicole hit the netcord, it dropped dead for a winner, or at least gave her the initiative. When a ball from Anna hit the netcord at 3-5* (40/40), it fell back on her side to give Nicole her second match-point.

And it was all over when Anna netted a backhand return, and walked off court in tears. I felt so sorry to see her go, and sorry that the match was over - I just wanted it to go on and on, like the Ancic v Verdasco 13-11 fifth set later in the day (I'm glad it didn't, though, with the winner having to play her quarter-final the very next day).

Don't get me wrong: I love Nicole, and I'm delighted that she has reversed her slump so impressively this Wimbledon. I'm just sad that this match had to result in a fourth-round loser, because I wanted both of them to reach the quarter-finals so much... and for the BBC finally to recognise Anna as the star that she is. I mean, they actually billed this match as "Nicole Vaidišová first on Court One" - even though Anna was the 8th seed - and while the commentators called Nicole a mixture of "Vaidišová" and "Nicole", Anna is still always "Chakvetadze" to them - on the rare occasions when the BBC televises Anna at all, that is.

Dan Walker's summary of the match in the BBC's Today at Wimbledon made me laugh: "Nicole Vaidišová had to deal with the mixed emotions of Anna Chakvetadze on Court One today. The eighth seed's tennis isn't bad, but her paddies are even more impressive, and once the Russian had finally finished her audition for Strop-Idol, her opponent went on to win in three. The Force is strong with Darth Vaidišová [incorrectly pronounced to sound like 'Vader' with two extra syllables inserted]."

First set

VAIDIŠOVÁ  * * * *   4
CHAKVETAD * * * * *@ 6

The match was first on Court One, and started at 13:08 BST. At this time, the BBC was showing Federer v Hewitt on BBC 2, Venus Williams v Kleybanova (6-3 *4-1) on Freeview 301, and Tanasugarn v Jankovic (6-3 *2-1) on Freeview 302, so I had to make do with live scores at www.wimbledon.org.

Anna serving 0-0: 15/0... held.
Nicole serving 0-1: 15/0. 15/15... 30/30. 40/30. 40/40. Ad Anna (BP). Deuce #2. Ad Nicole. Deuce #3. Ad Anna (BP #2). Deuce #4. Ad Nicole. Held.

Anna holds easily, but has the baggage of two wasted break-points, so Nicole could easily take the momentum...

Anna serving 1-1: 40/0. Held.
Nicole serving 1-2: 40/0. Held.

BBC 2 just showed a glimpse of this match in a round up. The way they're talking about Nicole, anyone would think she was the one seeded 10 places higher!

Anna serving 2-2: 30/15. 30/30. 40/30. Held.

Venus Williams and Tanasugarn are each two points from victory, simultaneously, against their respective opponents! I guess whichever Freeview-stream frees up first will pick up this match...

Nicole serving 2-3: 15/15. 15/30. 40/30. Held.

Tanasugarn just beat Jankovic; Freeview 302 just showed a glimpse of this match, but didn't join it - they're going to show Baghdatis v López. :-||

Anna serving 3-3: I saw the first point in a BBCi court-circular: Anna hit a short (presumably second) serve; Nicole hit a mildly penetrating backhand return, and Anna dumped a backhand halfway up the net. 0/15... 30/30... held.

Nicole serving 3-4: 15/0. 15/30. 40/30. Held.

Venus Williams just beat Kleybanova, but Freeview 301 are going to show Serena Williams v Mattek. :-|| At least BBC 1's coverage starts in just over 5 minutes...

Anna serving 4-4: 30/0... held.

www.wimbledon.org: "Vaidišova v Chakvetadze is one heck of a match (and also very difficult to type). Big serving out there from both ladies – who will blink first?"

Second set

VAIDIŠOVÁ  * * * * * *T 7(7)
CHAKVETAD * * * * * *   6(0)

Anna serving 0-0: 0/30 to 30/30... held.
Nicole serving 0-1: 15/0. 15/30. 30/30. The BBC showed this point with the cameras fixed on Anna: she hit a backhand return, a little sliced backhand lob; Nicole hit a hard shot (smash?) back behind Anna, who tried to retrieve it with a left-handed forehand that went straight up. 40/30. Held.
Anna serving 1-1: 40/0. Held.
Nicole serving 1-2: 0/30. 40/30. Held.

BBC 1 started 13 minutes ago, and in that time it has showed Sue Barker interviewing Tim Henman in the studio, and both BBC 1 and BBC 2 showing a protracted tiebreak between Federer and Hewitt! :-||

Anna serving 2-2: 0/15. 40/15. Ace out wide.

And finally, at 14:00, Freeview 301 are showing this match after Serena Williams v Mattek was upgraded to BBC 2.

Virginia Wade: "I think it's also because they are so young, and they have got so many expectations on them. There are probably also an awful lot of people telling them, giving them information. I mean, we know how often they're changing coaches and things. So, probably in many ways, instead of trying to blinker themselves and sort out most of it themselves, they rely on all this outside stuff - I mean, I'm not saying you're going to blame the outside stuff - but I think there is a lot of attention on things other than just allowing the players to get on and play."

Both girls have three challenges remaining.

Nicole serving 2-3: Nicole took the initiative on the fifth stroke with a short backhand down the line, just inside the sideline... she followed that up with a crosscourt forehand back behind Anna to force a weak, defensive lob, which she dispatched with a crosscourt forehand drive-volley winner back behind Anna. Virginia Wade: "When someone moves around the court as well as Chakvetadze does, I think it's a good idea to hit behind her anyway." 15/0. Second serve: Anna hit a crosscourt backhand return into the tramlines, and rolled her head. 30/0. Short-angled ace out wide: just inside the sideline. 40/0. A big first serve out wide forced Anna to hit a backhand return long.

Excellent service-game by Nicole.

Simon Reed: "Although the rest of her game has not been up to par, the serve has given her some time to find her form off the ground."

Anna serving 3-3: (new balls): Anna's second serve clipped the netcord and landed just inside the service-line, giving her a let. Short, "clever" second-serve ace out wide. 15/0. Second serve: Nicole netted a cheap forehand return. 30/0. Anna's first serve drew a short, weak backhand return, which she dispatched with a lovely deceptive forehand winner down the line. 40/0. Ace #6: out wide, in the corner.

Two good signs for Anna in that game:

1. Nicole missing a cheap return. That's happened all too often in recent weeks.
2. Anna hitting a winner on the one-two punch. That's what was missing so often in the first week.

Anna looks very calm (for her) at the changeover.
Simon Reed: "Still remarkably calm. Everything going her way at the moment. An opponent who's flustered. Talking of flustered, I remember watching her at junior Wimbledon 2003: first point in a game, she'd win, scream with glee, then there'd be tears the next point when she missed it, then there'd be more tears, then there'd be glee. It was just incredible; I thought that this was a heart-attack time! And she went on and got to the final!"
Virginia Wade: "More dramatic than Vera Zvonarëva?"
Simon Reed: "Yeah! I have never seen anything like it! So far, she's been relatively stress-free, Chakvetadze. But it may still only be early stages."

Nicole serving 3-4: Second serve out wide + down-the-line forehand close to the sideline forced Anna to bunt a one-handed backhand wide. 15/0. A short but kicking second serve out wide drew a short backhand return down the middle; Nicole's backhand down the line induced Anna to hit a defensive forehand just long; she reacted with a little jump. 30/0. A deep first serve out wide forced Anna to hit a wild forehand return very long and very wide. 40/0. Second serve out wide; Anna hit a deep backhand return; Nicole dug out a deep crosscourt forehand, forcing Anna to bunt a defensive forehand lob long - but only just.

Virginia Wade: "Terrific game from Vaidišová, and just looking at her face there: she looked determined, and she looked relatively calm. So maybe a tiny little momentum in her favour."

Anna serving 4-4: Anna's 108mph first serve landed in Nicole's hitting-zone: a deep backhand return forced a short, weak backhand from Anna; Nicole hit a deep down-the-line forehand that caught the back edge of the baseline, forcing Anna to hit a defensive backhand lob wide. 15/0. A terrific first serve out wide - fast, right in the corner - forced Nicole to bunt a backhand lob-return just long. 30/0. Nicole on the fourth stroke hit a crosscourt backhand that caught the outside edge of the sideline, forcing Anna to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 30/15. Second serve: Nicole's deep crosscourt forehand return forced a short forehand from Anna; Nicole hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand winner back behind Anna. 30/30. First serve out wide, right in the corner: Nicole hit a deep crosscourt forehand return to Anna's feet, forcing her to bunt a forehand just wide. 30/40 (BP #1). Nicole seemed to have the upper hand as she hit a backhand down the line on the fourth stroke, but Anna on the back foot hit a short forehand down the line, and Nicole hit a crosscourt backhand just wide. She muttered. 40/40. Anna seemed to have the upper hand as her first serve forced a deep, floating backhand return, but after an exchange of rather short crosscourt backhands, Anna dumped one halfway up the net on the fifth stroke. She reacted with another little jump. Ad Nicole (BP #2). A fast first serve out wide forced Nicole to bunt a backhand lob-return just long. Deuce #2. Second-serve let. Anna got away with a short second serve as Nicole hit a cheap backhand return long. Anna reacted by saying something that sounded like "viva" but probably wasn't. Ad Anna. A deep first serve down the middle forced Nicole to hit an off-forehand return wide. Anna reacted with a shout of "viva" and a fist-pump.

Nicole's first break-points of the match against Anna, but not converted, so now she'll have to serve to stay in the match.

Virginia Wade said Nicole was not fired up enough - like she was trying to stay calm, but too much. The commentators are talking about Nicole almost like they think she's lost the match already.

Virginia Wade: "You have to hand it to Chakvetadze, though. She has been good in the crunch-points."
Simon Reed: "And she stops the momentum going the other way. There was just a chance for Vaidišová there. Might have started a little bit of a rollercoaster, but not yet. But it still might happen."
Virginia Wade: "Yeah. It's definitely the time of the match, because Vaidišová suddenly with a little more energy, and some really big, effective shots. I mean, just a pity for her that she hasn't been able to sustain it - not only through her own fault, but because Chakvetadze has been really, really good when she's been in any sort of difficulty. I'm pretty impressed with her performance mentally today, and her game has been tremendous. I never expected her to be in the lead by 100% with aces."

Nicole serving 4-5: A body-jamming first serve forced Anna to hit a backhand return wide. 15/0. Double fault #3 (second serve just long). 15/15. A big first serve down the middle - right in the corner - forced Anna to lunge and bunt a one-handed backhand lob-return long. 30/15. A deep second serve onto the service-line induced Anna to hit a backhand return very long - accompanied by a groan. 40/15. Second serve: Anna netted a backhand dropshot-return, rolled her head and muttered.

Simon Reed: "And just as in the first set, you had the feeling that Chakvetadze was getting the dominance towards the end of the set, you just feel it now with Vaidišová."
Virginia Wade: "She's certainly got Chakvetadze to bend, but she hasn't got her to break yet."

Anna serving 5-5: On the fifth stroke, Anna hit a deep backhand onto the baseline that shot through, forcing Nicole to earth a backhand. 15/0. Anna on the seventh stroke slugged a crosscourt backhand just wide. 30/0. First serve out wide, right in the corner, forced Nicole to stretch and chop a forehand return into the net. Anna celebrated with a lingering fist-pump. 30/15. Double fault #3 (second serve just long). 30/30. Nicole played a nice spreading rally with a short-angled off-backhand return just inside the sideline + short forehand down the other sideline, forcing Anna to hit a defensive sliced backhand lob; Nicole ran around her backhand to hit an off-forehand, leaving the court wide open to her right; Anna decided to hit back behind Nicole, but, with a loud grunt, she hit a very makeable crosscourt backhand just wide. More jumping from Anna. 30/40 (BP). Nicole on the fourth stroke mishit a crosscourt backhand long, and doubled over in frustration, while Anna pumped her fist and said "c'mon". Virginia Wade: "The one thing you knew in that rally was that a basic rally, Chakvetadze was not gonna make an error, so Vaidišová had to fight so hard not to give it away that point. Too bad for her." 40/40. A big 108mph first serve (Anna's fastest of the match so far) down the middle, just inside the service-line, forced Nicole to hit a one-handed backhand lob-return long. Anna pumped her fist and shouted "c'mon". Ad Anna. With loud, cute grunts from Anna, Nicole took the initiative on the fourth stroke with a crosscourt forehand onto the sideline, forcing Anna to hit a short down-the-line forehand that sat up nicely for Nicole to... blast a wild down-the-line backhand very long and wide. Anna pumped her fist.

Virginia Wade: "She's getting quite excited, Chakvetadze. She's almost got to make sure she doesn't boil over. She's getting quite hyper. She's got to keep it under control, because the chances are that Nicole will hold serve here, and then they have to go through the nerve-wracking business of a tiebreak."

Nicole's making a few too many errors. Anna's making very few. A very tight two-setter (so far), though.

Nicole serving 5-6: First serve out wide forced a short forehand return; Nicole hit an 82mph off-forehand winner right in the corner. 15/0. Nicole dominated the point with a first serve out wide + penetrating backhand down the line to force a short forehand from Anna, which Nicole dispatched with another off-forehand winner into the corner: on the baseline. 30/0. Second serve: Anna netted a backhand dropshot-return, just as she had done two games ago. 40/0. Anna netted another backhand dropshot-return off a second serve! Virginia Wade: "Well, it is an interesting idea to hit a dropshot off a second serve, and I have seen just a couple during Wimbledon this year, but was that a good idea or a bit of desperation?"

Simon Reed: "This is terrific now from Vaidišová. Finding rhythm and power - easy power there."

That game gives Nicole great momentum going into the tiebreak: two easy winners, and wasn't Anna crazy to hit two attempted dropshot-returns in a row?

6-6 tiebreak (all scores Nicole/Anna):
{0/0*} Body-jamming second serve: Nicole's forehand return was going wide, but clipped the netcord and landed in; Anna hit a short sliced backhand; Nicole hit a penetrating forehand down Anna's forehand-sideline; they exchanged crosscourt forehands; Anna netted a down-the-line forehand, and yelled "aargh!" Virginia Wade: "Chakvetadze's going over the top a little bit."
{*1/0} Nicole took the initiative with a first serve out wide + forehand down Anna's forehand-sideline; Anna recovered with a crosscourt forehand, but Nicole's crosscourt forehand clipped the netcord and landed short, forcing Anna to net a late forehand. Anna twirled around and ducked sharply.
{*2/0} Deep first serve down the middle: Anna's backhand return looked like it landed on the baseline but was called long - a late call - and Anna made an incorrect Hawk-Eye challenge. Anna looks close to tears now.
{3/0*} Anna hit a ball in anger after missing her first serve; her second was very short, as were her following two groundstrokes; Nicole agitated her with a crosscourt forehand on the fourth stroke, and another deep crosscourt forehand induced Anna hit an off-forehand wide of the tramlines. Anna doubled over in frustration.
{4/0*} First serve out wide: Nicole hit a short, sweet crosscourt forehand return-winner.
{*5/0} Nicole served an ace out wide: in the corner.
{*6/0: SP #1} Nicole served another ace out wide: this time a real boomer onto the sideline! Nicole won the second set 7-6 (7/0) at 14:27 (second set 43m, match so far 1h19m).

A very difficult match to call now. Nicole's so calm, while Anna is hysterical, and has lost the last eleven points. Anna sat at the set-break muttering, and rehearsing her backhand with bare hands and then her racket.

Third set

VAIDIŠOVÁ *@* * * * 6
CHAKVETAD    * * *  3

Simon Reed: "Who's your money on, Virginia?"
Virginia Wade: "I'll tell you in about ten minutes. I'm not sure. I think we have to see how the beginning of this third set develops, because Nicole is so calm now, I think she's gonna play well for a bit, but her problem seems to start when she's ahead."
Simon Reed: "I'm with you. I think she's gonna go out to a lead here - maybe a considerable lead - but that may not be the end of the match."

Nicole serving 0-0: First serve: Anna hit a sharp, short-angled crosscourt forehand return, forcing Nicole to stretch wide and earth a forehand. 0/15. Short-angled ace out wide: just inside the sideline. 15/15. A deep first serve down the middle forced a short backhand lob-return that sat up nicely for Nicole to hit a crosscourt forehand; Anna's crosscourt forehand pushed Nicole onto the back foot a bit, but she hit a beautiful, deceptive, short-angled crosscourt forehand winner back behind Anna. 30/15. Anna punished a short second serve with a searing crosscourt backhand return just inside the sideline, forcing Nicole to hit a defensive one-handed backhand lob; Anna hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand drive-volley from no-man's-land, forcing Nicole to run outside the tramlines and earth a forehand - brilliant improvisation by Anna. Virginia Wade: "One of the areas where Nicole could do some easy work is this running to cover the ball - it's a very tough ball, but she runs straight across the baseline instead of cutting it off." 30/30. Nicole on the third stroke sprayed a forehand long, and Anna shouted something that sounded like "Nicola" but probably wasn't. 30/40 (BP). Ace down the middle caught the outside edge of the centre-line (confirmed by Hawk-Eye when Anna challenged it). 40/40. Anna hit a deep backhand return just inside the baseline to force a floater from Nicole, but Anna failed to capitalise as she stood way behind the baseline, hit a short crosscourt backhand, and hit a crosscourt forehand just long on the sixth stroke. Ad Nicole. A body-jamming first serve forced Anna to earth a forehand lob-return, and Nicole's legs looked very nice jogging to cover it just in case!

Virginia Wade: "Well, in answer to your question, Simon: just at this moment, there's only really one player out there - but that's not to say that she might disappear and the other one come back, so it's impossible, really, to tell. The beginning of the third set is always a little scratchy. If Chakvetadze can calm herself down a bit, what I'm anticipating is for her to mix a few things in: change a little bit of the pace, the angles."

Anna serving 0-1: Nicole hit a deep backhand return just inside the baseline, but hit a backhand just long on the fourth stroke. 15/0. Anna went for a backhand winner down the line, but it was just long. Anna shook her finger, knowing it was the wrong choice. Virginia Wade: "She really puts her body through all these contortions." 15/15. A big first serve down the middle forced a short backhand lob-return; Anna hit a short-angled off-forehand; Nicole replied with a short-angled sliced backhand crosscourt; Anna hit a crosscourt backhand, leaving a gap to her right; Nicole hit a deep backhand down the line; Anna replied with a deep crosscourt forehand just inside the baseline; Nicole hit a "fantastic" down-the-line forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Anna to earth a defensive backhand lob. 15/30. Anna recovered from a penetrating crosscourt forehand return... a long baseline-rally included Anna's mishit crosscourt forehand on the 11th stroke catching the outside edge of the sideline, but ended with Anna netting a backhand on the 19th stroke. Anna emitted a high-pitched yelp. Simon Reed: "One of the longest rallies of the match, and Vaidišová looked so controlled." Virginia Wade: "And my impression was that she suddenly was hitting a lot more balls to Vaidišová's backhand, because she knows that the forehand is really dangerous right now." 15/40 (BP #1). Second-serve let. Anna dominated a rally for once, spreading Nicole with an off-backhand on the fifth stroke, a deep topspin forehand down the line, and a deep off-backhand that forced Nicole to chop a forehand into the bottom of the net. Anna appeared to make a signal to her coach Glen Schaap: she raised her index-finger, then made a throwing-gesture. Simon Reed: "She looks like she's disregarding some aspect of coaching that he's given her." 30/40 (BP #2). Anna caught her toss and said "sorry". Double fault (second serve into the net). Anna jumped and stumbled backwards after hitting it.

Virginia Wade: "It just stresses to me this importance of staying collected on the court. It's so difficult to do. It needs so much work. It needs more work than going out and hitting backhands and forehands for five hours a day, the work on keeping yourself in the right frame of mind."

The commentators are still predicting twists and turns in this third set. But it's a huge advantage for Nicole to be a break up, as she's only been broken once in this match (last game of the first set).

Nicole serving 2-0: First serve down the middle forced a backhand skyscraper lob-return, which Nicole calmly dispatched with an off-forehand drive-volley winner down the line. 15/0. Nicole on the fifth stroke hit a crosscourt forehand very long - a little late. 15/15. A big first serve out wide - on the sideline - forced Anna to net a forehand return. 30/15. Another big first serve out wide, but Anna hit a deep backhand return onto the baseline, forcing Nicole - who did not move her feet - to hit a forehand half-volley wide. 30/30. Anna hit a deep forehand return onto the baseline, but this time Nicole did move her feet: she hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline, inducing Anna to hit a forehand long. 40/30. First serve down the middle, just inside the service-line; Anna blocked back a deep forehand return, but Nicole ripped a powerball forehand winner down the line, her racket finishing over her right shoulder ŕ la Maria Sharapova. Nicole pumped her fist and said "pojdme". Anna took an angry swipe at the air with her racket as she walked to the changeover, which Simon Reed believed was directed at her coach.

Nicole is directing 58% of her serves out wide, 27% down the middle (a bit more in the deuce-court than in the ad-court), and 14% into the body (a bit more in the ad-court than in the deuce-court). So her first priority is to stretch Anna out wide.

Anna serving 0-3: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. First serve down the middle - just inside the centre-line - induced Nicole to chop a crosscourt forehand return just wide. Nicole was not at all happy with that call; her coach David Felgate signalled her not to challenge it, but Hawk-Eye showed that it clipped the line! So it should have been a replay, but the point was awarded to Anna. 15/15. A big first serve down the middle - on the centre-line - forced Nicole to stretch wide and earth a one-handed backhand return. 30/15. First serve down the middle forced a short forehand return; Anna hit an off-backhand; Nicole crosscourt forehand; Anna hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line, just inside the sideline. 40/15. Double fault #2 (second serve just long). Virginia Wade: "She's rushing a bit." 40/30. A deep first serve out wide - on the service-line - forced a short crosscourt backhand return, but Anna netted a horrible attempt at a backhand down the line. 40/40. Nicole opened up the court with a crosscourt backhand on the fourth stroke, but Anna's body-jamming crosscourt backhand induced Nicole to hit a forehand long. She muttered angrily. Ad Anna. First serve: Nicole's backhand return clipped the netcord, rose high in the air, clipped the netcord again on its way down, and dropped dead for a winner! Nicole apologised with her left palm. Deuce #2. Ace #7 (the BBC missed it as it was showing a slow-motion replay). Ad Anna. Second serve: Nicole hit a deep, solid crosscourt backhand return just inside the baseline, forcing Anna to net a backhand. Simon Reed: "Not much in the way of footwork or preparation for that shot." Deuce #3. Anna spread Nicole with a wide serve + penetrating crosscourt backhand, but Nicole's deep crosscourt backhand induced Anna to spray a backhand wide - not much in the way of footwork or preparation for that one either. Ad Nicole (BP). Nailbiting rally: Anna took the initiative with a deep forehand on the third stroke; Nicole dug out a down-the-line forehand, forcing Anna to bunt back a one-handed backhand; Nicole hit a deep off-forehand just inside the sideline; Anna hit a crosscourt backhand; Nicole had the court wide open for a backhand down the line, but instead hit a crosscourt backhand dropshot into the net, and dropped her racket in despair. Deuce #4. Nicole hit an off-backhand return deep into the corner; Anna hit a crosscourt forehand from the tramlines; Nicole hit a short, acute-angled crosscourt forehand Anna, pushing Anna way outside the tramlines; Anna went for a forehand winner around the net-post into the corner, but put it wide. Ad Nicole (BP #2). Anna hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand + pinpoint forehand down the line, forcing Nicole to net a one-handed backhand. Deuce #5. Second serve: Nicole's off-backhand return forced Anna to hit a down-the-line forehand itno the tramlines. Ad Nicole (BP #3). First serve down the middle: Nicole netted a forehand return, and muttered. Deuce #6. Nicole hit another good off-backhand return; Anna hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand; Nicole hit a deep crosscourt forehand onto the baseline, forcing Anna to hit a down-the-line forehand into the tramlines. Anna, pushed backwards by the power of Nicole, sank to her knees. Ad Nicole (BP #4). First serve out wide induced Nicole to mishit a backhand return wide of the tramlines. Deuce #7. Second-serve let. A short second serve gave Nicole the early initiative as she hit a deep backhand return just inside the baseline + crosscourt backhand on the baseline to force a short, weak ball down the middle from Anna; Nicole kept up the pressure with a deep crosscourt forehand just inside the baseline, but Anna absorbed it with a crosscourt forehand that left Nicole stranded in the right half of the court as she hit a deep crosscourt forehand; Anna hit a down-the-line forehand onto the sideline forcing Nicole to hit a sliced backhand wide - a nice spreading rally by Anna. Ad Anna. She got away with a short second serve as Nicole hit an off-forehand return, but stopped moving for some reason as Anna hit a short crosscourt backhand winner back behind her. Perhaps Nicole thought it wasn't going to clear the net (after the match, she claimed that she had been distracted by a sound from the umpire's microphone that sounded like a call of 'out', but I can find no evidence of that on my video).

The best part of the match in terms of them both playing well at the same time. A really key game, with missed break-points for Nicole.

Virginia Wade: "It's really Vaidišová who's dictating the points now. It took till about 4-4 in the second set for that to happen."

Nicole serving 3-1: First serve out wide: Anna forehand return just long. 15/0. On the seventh stroke, Nicole opened up the court beautifully with a low-bouncing down-the-line forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Anna to hoist a one-handed backhand skyscraper-lob that landed just over the service-line; Nicole ran Anna from doubles-sideline to doubles-sideline with a crosscourt forehand; Anna hit a short crosscourt forehand that made Nicole bend her knees as she was standing well inside the baseline, but that didn't stop Nicole hitting an off-forehand winner that clipped the netcord. 30/0. Amazing rally: a big first serve down the middle - on the service-line - forced a very short lob-return from Anna; Nicole ran it down nicely with a series of short steps, but instead of smashing a forehand winner, she opted to play a dropshot; Anna ran it down and hit a perfectly-measured backhand lob over Nicole's head and just inside the baseline; Nicole ran it down and hit a defensive backhand skyscraper-lob, giving Anna an easy forehand smash-winner. Simon Reed: "It's the second time in a couple of minutes her brain seems to have frozen, Vaidišová!" Nicole threw her racket. Virginia Wade: "With the anticipation that Chakvetadze has, that was not a very clever shot, the little dropshot. The first time she got really annoyed with herself in this match." 30/15. Deep first serve out wide: Anna hit a brilliant short-angled crosscourt backhand return just inside the sideline for a virtual winner. 30/30. A big first serve down the middle forced Anna to stretch wide and earth a backhand return. Simon Reed (re. Nicole's serve): "It's gonna be key to keep Chakvetadze off her at the moment." 40/30. Nicole hit a big first serve down the middle - on the service-line - but Anna mishit a crosscourt forehand return onto the sideline for a winner, and Nicole looked amazed that it was in! 40/40. Anna got herself in trouble with a short, weak backhand on the fourth stroke: Nicole hit a penetrating forehand down the line, inducing Anna to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. Ad Nicole. A body-jamming first serve on the service-line forced a short, weak forehand return, which Nicole dispatched with an off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. Anna walked slowly to the changeover.

Anna is almost as emotional now as she used to be before 2007, but if she looks over the net, she'll see that Nicole looks quite upset herself.
Simon Reed: "I've seen her like this several times, but not in the last year or so. This is pre-2007 what we're seeing here. She won four titles in 2007 - Hobart, 's-Hertogenbosch, Cincinnati, Stanford - got herself into the top five in the world. This is regressing now into what she was before that."
Virginia Wade: "Her game is a game that would suggest that she's cool, calculating and composed out there, but when it goes wrong, she doesn't need a coach - she needs some serious help with that."
Simon Reed: "Seen her in tears before; I think we're nearly there now!"

Anna did seem to be wiping tears away as she came out from the changeover!

www.wimbledon.org: "Chakvetadze seemed to be on course for a close two-set win over an erratic Vaidišová, but when the young Czech took the second set to a tiebreak, the Russian became flustered. Vaidišová raced through the tiebreak without losing a point, broke early in the third, and seems to be on course to reach the quarters for a second year in a row. It's now 4-1 in the third to Vaidišová."

Anna serving 1-4: First serve: Nicole's deep crosscourt forehand return forced Anna to hit an off-forehand wide. Virginia Wade: "Now she looks like she feels she's lost this match - not the same sort of determination." 15/0. Nicole took the initiative with a penetrating crosscourt forehand on the fourth stroke, but dumped another forehand halfway up the net. 15/15. Anna took advantage of a short, weak backhand return from Nicole by hitting a deep backhand just inside the baseline, forcing Nicole to hit a backhand onto the umpire's chair (below the height of the net). 30/15. A deep second serve out wide - on the service-line - induced Nicole to hit a backhand return just long. 40/15. Anna hit a first serve out wide that looked more like a second serve; Nicole hit a brilliant short-angled crosscourt forehand return just inside the sideline, which Anna did well to retrieve with a chopped forehand; Nicole hit a crosscourt backhand into the open court, but it wasn't a great angle, and with Anna running fast to cover it, Nicole was rather lucky that it clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner. Anna put her hand to her head and smiled. 40/30. In a gorgeous rally, Anna took the early initiative as she spread Nicole with a crosscourt forehand + down-the-line forehand, but Nicole recovered with a deep backhand down the middle, forcing Anna to hit a weak backhand that sat up nicely for Nicole to hit a searing crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline; Anna moved laterally to cover the open court, but she was about ten feet behind the baseline when Nicole hit a crosscourt backhand dropshot-winner - that's how clever you have to be to defeat Anna's anticipation. 40/40. Anna dominated the rally with a first serve out wide + crosscourt forehand back behind Nicole, who hit a short sliced forehand crosscourt; Anna went to the net behind a perfectly-measured down-the-line forehand onto the sideline, forcing Nicole to hoist a defensive backhand lob; Anna did give Nicole a chance by hitting a tentative forehand smash right to her, but Nicole had already overrun the ball, causing her to dump a backhand into the bottom of the net. Virginia Wade: "Chakvetadze certainly moves the ball around into the corners well, does she not?" Ad Anna. A deep but not particularly hard first serve induced Nicole to dump a forehand return halfway up the net.

Simon Reed: "And if she [Anna] bothered to look the other side of the net, she'd see someone who is 4-1 up - she looks like she's going to win - but we've seen three really strange occurrences from Vaidišová. It's still possible that she might freeze here. I don't think she can look out of herself."

Virginia Wade is now talking about Anna like she's already lost the match: "Such a shame that she pressed the self-destruct button for such a long time, because this match could have been just classic."

Nicole serving 4-2: First serve out wide: forehand return long. 15/0. Nicole on the third stroke mishit a forehand just long. 15/15. First serve down the middle: Anna's backhand return sat up nicely for Nicole to hit a very short crosscourt backhand dropshot from the baseline onto the sideline - perfect placement, and it only enhances the point that Anna ran it down to net a backhand rather than let it be a clean winner. Virginia Wade: "It's almost like a short slice, that, rather than an exact dropshot." 30/15. Second serve: Anna hit a pinpoint off-forehand return onto the junction of baseline and sideline, inducing Nicole to hit a backhand just long. 30/30. Anna seemed to have the initiative in the middle of a ten-stroke rally, but Nicole's deep forehand on the ninth stroke pushed Anna back on her heels, about ten feet behind the baseline, inducing her to net a forehand. 40/30. Anna failed to punish a short second serve as Nicole hit a deep forehand on the third stroke, inducing Anna to hit a backhand long.

Simon Reed: "She's a game away from the quarter-final here. Can she keep her nerves in check? She's played so well for about the last hour, has Vaidišová."
Virginia Wade: "It took her so long to just really play freely, and she was a little split second late on the ball, and being moved all over from corner to corner by some absolutely fabulous play from Chakvetadze. At least Chakvetadze is back playing. She just left the court for a while mentally. I mean: she just got herself absolutely crazed out there with dismay, and made Vaidišová look like the cool, calm and collected, maturer player."

Anna serving 2-5: Second serve: Nicole backhand return just long. 15/0. Nicole took the initiative on the fourth stroke with a deep forehand down the line to force a short, slow backhand from Anna; Nicole hit a pinpoint backhand down the line - just inside the sideline - forcing Anna to hoist a defensive forehand lob; Nicole hit a forehand smash back behind Anna, but Anna turned around and turned the point around with a deep crosscourt forehand, forcing Nicole to run back and bunt a forehand into the tramlines. 30/0. Anna hit a first serve down the middle - on the service-line - followed by a crosscourt backhand winner. 40/0. Anna on the third stroke hit a short forehand down the middle, and Nicole fired an "unbelievable" crosscourt forehand winner just inside the baseline. 40/15. A deep backhand return down the middle forced a short, weak backhand from Anna, but Nicole dumped a sloppy forehand into the net.

A streaky game from Nicole, and I don't want to see Anna go quietly in the next game. This third set has seen some fantastic tennis, but I don't think it has had half the drama it deserves yet.

Nicole serving 5-3: First serve out wide; forehand return down the middle; Nicole hit a deep off-forehand; Anna hit a deep crosscourt backhand; Nicole backhand just long. 0/15. Second serve: Anna hit a cheap backhand return long. 15/15. Nicole seemed to have the initiative as her first serve down the middle + deep backhand forced a short forehand from Anna, but it skidded low, inducing Nicole to dump a backhand halfway up the net. 15/30. With Nicole achieving much better depth on all her groundstrokes than Anna, Nicole's deep backhand on the seventh stroke induced Anna to slip after she hit a forehand, so she was late for Nicole's off-forehand: Anna earthed a backhand. 30/30. In a long rally with Nicole's grunting increasing in volume and pitch, Anna on the eighth stroke threw in a sliced backhand; Nicole opened up the court with an off-forehand; Anna replied with an acute crosscourt backhand; Nicole's backhand down the line clipped the netcord and she got lucky yet again as it forced Anna to hit a late crosscourt forehand wide. Simon Reed said he saw an ironic smile from Anna after yet another netcord went against her, but all I saw was that she looked close to tears. 40/30 (MP #1). Body-jamming first serve: Anna initiated an exchange of three short sliced backhands crosscourt; Nicole hit a deep crosscourt backhand down the middle; Anna hit her own backhand back down the middle; Nicole sprayed a wild forehand that landed closer to the back fence than to the baseline. Nicole had a nervous laugh about that. 40/40. Nicole got away with a rather short second serve as Anna's forehand return clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. Simon Reed: "If that had been Vaidišová, you know the ball would have gone over the net and it would have been dropping dead." Anna again looked close to tears. Ad Nicole (MP #2). Short first serve out wide: Anna netted a crosscourt backhand return. Nicole raised her arms, emitted a little yell and jumped for joy, but Anna seemed to be fighting back tears as she walked to the net to shake hands. Nicole won 4-6 7-6 (7/0) 6-3 at 15:08 (third set 41m, match 2h00m).

My first reaction is that I'm sorry to see Anna out of the championships, and that this mouthwatering match is also over - far too soon IMO. I really wanted Anna to break back and make it "the kind of drama we've come to love and expect at Wimbledon" (as Sue Barker said of the Ancic v Verdasco 13-11 fifth set later on Monday), but at least I got my wish of a three-setter, and hopefully Nicole won't be too tired for her quarter-final tomorrow.

Anna didn't hang around long before she walked off court in tears.

Virginia Wade: "If you just took that match out of context, you would say Nicole Vaidišová was the calmest, coolest competitor: very mature, and she took her time to get into it, and just did what she had to do. If you'd seen this match, you would think that she was going to win it, because she was dictating forever in that match. It took to like a set and 4-4 before Nicole finally started to dictate points. She came up with her best tennis when she really needed to."

www.wimbledon.org: "Speaking of totally focused, someone who often seems to lose her mindset is Nicole Vaidišová, but after the loss of the first set, the tall Czech has powered back to beat a tearful Anna Chakvetadze in three. Vaidišová will face Zheng tomorrow in the quarters."

Nicole's BBC interview

RISHI PERSAD: Nicole, what do you think helped turn things around after that first set today?

NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ: Oh my God; definitely, er, she was the better player first set. I just tried to grind, and the second set, keep, keep in the game and played a great tiebreak, and it just went from there. You know: got my confidence from the second set.

RISHI PERSAD: The net was very kind to you today.

NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ: Oh my God; I know! Tried to apologise many times, but yeah, it definitely worked ??couple times??.

RISHI PERSAD: And there were a couple of times where you left some returns sort of inexplicably; we didn't understand what was going on.

NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ: Er, it was just: it was weird because her microphone was humming, so it sounded like she called it out, so I kind of let it go, so it was weird. I tried to tell her that, you know, by moving there, it makes a sound: it sounds like it's out.

RISHI PERSAD: What was happening with Anna: the tiebreak in the second set? She seemed to totally lose her cool.

NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ: Definitely, er, I think I started really well off: I served well, played some great shots, and I think she kind of fell apart.

RISHI PERSAD: And your reaction to making the quarter-finals?

NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ: So excited. I made the quarters last year, so being here again is, er, just so exciting.

RISHI PERSAD: Well done.

NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ: Thank you.

RISHI PERSAD: Thanks very much

Statistics

Nicole had a W:UE ratio of 25:25, while Anna's was a slightly more conservative 20:19. I think the keys were that Nicole increased her winner-count from set to set (with a particularly impressive 11 winners in the 6-3 third set), while Anna went from 3 UEs in the first set to 10 in the second.

Nicole got 64% of her first serves in, winning 70% of the points when she did so, and 67% on second serve. From set to set, the pattern was that the more first serves she got in, the fewer points she won when she did so - the implication being that she went for bigger first serves in the second set, where she got 55% in and won 89% when she did so (the low first-serves-in percentage didn't hurt her, as she won an amazing 80% on second serve in that set!).
            The corresponding percentages for Anna were 59%, 72% and 58%, implying that she went for her first serve slightly more than Nicole, but didn't get away with missing it as much as did Nicole. From the first set to the second, Anna got more first serves in, but her winning-percentage dropped - and her second-serve winning-percentage dropped from set to set until it was just 47% for the third set.

Nicole served faster than Anna in all three categories, but only slightly: fastest 109-107 mph, average first serve 102-99 mph, average second serve 86-85 mph.

Both girls served an impressive 7 aces, but Anna had 6 double faults to Nicole's 3, with 5 of Anna's double faults coming after the first set.

Both girls found it amazingly difficult to break each other's serves, with Nicole converting just one of 9 BPs (to break in the second game of the third set), and Anna converting just one of 6 BPs (which just happened to be a set-point). The timing of the BPs was also significant: Nicole didn't have any until 4-6 4-4*, while Anna had 5 BPs in the first set and her sixth BP in the first game of the third set.

Nicole won 9 of 10 points at the net (5 of 6 in the first set, and a perfect 4 thereafter), Anna just 4 of 6.

In points, Nicole won 110-103 (first set 29-36, second set 41-32, third set 40-35). How ironic that the second set had the biggest gap in points when it was decided by a tiebreak! Nicole was holding serve much more comfortably than Anna in that set.

Nicole's press-conference

Anna's press-conference

Articles

Zheng creates Wimbledon-history [CEEFAX 495]
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In the last eight, Zheng plays Nicole Vaidišová, who beat Anna Chakvetadze.
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Vaidišová edges past Chakvetadze [CEEFAX 495]
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Nicole Vaidišová beat eighth seed Anna Chakvetadze to secure her second successive quarter-final at Wimbledon.

The Czech, seeded 18, excelled as Russia's Chakvetadze failed to control her emotions or live up to her seeding, and was beaten 4-6 7-6 (7/0) 6-3.
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Vaidišová causes upset [Teletext 498]
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Nicole Vaidišová came back from a set and a break [sic] down to knock out eighth seed Anna Chakvetadze in round four.

The 18th-seeded Czech claimed a 4-6 7-6 (7/0) 6-3 victory to reach her second successive Wimbledon quarter-final, where she will play Chinese Jie Zheng.
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Vaidišová finds some va-va-voom
Written by Adam Lincoln (www.wimbledon.org)
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After a slow start, No.18 seed Nicole Vaidišová advanced to the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the second year in a row, securing a three-set win over an out-of-sorts Anna Chakvetadze: 4-6 7-6 (7/0) 6-3.

"She's a good player and deserved her win today," the Russian said. "I didn't take my opportunities in the second set, but she served really well and it was tough to return."
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Vaidišová fightback ousts Chakvetadze (Reuters)
By Sonia Oxley (editing by Clare Lovell)
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Czech Nicole Vaidišová sealed her place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the second successive year after coming from behind to overcome eighth seed Anna Chakvetadze 4-6 7-6 6-3 on Monday.

Vaidišová lost to Ivanovic in last year's quarter-finals.
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My preview

NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ [18,EF]:
1r + Zuzana Ondrášková [Q], 6-2 6-2
2r + Samantha Stosur [WC], 6-2 0-6 6-4
3r + Casey Dell'Acqua, 6-2 6-4
4r + ANNA CHAKVETADZE [8,EF], 4-6 7-6 (7/0) 6-3

Zheng,Jie [WC]:
1r + DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [30], 6-4 6-3
2r + Elena Baltacha [WC], 6-2 7-5
3r + ANA IVANOVIC [1,DF], 6-1 6-4
4r + ÁGNES SZÁVAY [15], 6-3 6-4

If you had told me before the tournament that the #133-ranked 24-year-old Zheng,Jie would emerge at the top of the quarter-final draw, I would probably have said, "You cannot be serious!"

But anyone who has just reached the quarter-finals of a Major must be playing well and treated with respect - especially a former Major champion (in 2006, Zheng won the Australian Open and Wimbledon Women's Doubles titles with Yan,Zi).

Zheng is a very solid baseline-player, with good placement, and is a nightmare to play against when you're not playing well.

Nicole might have expected a repeat of her Wimbledon 2007 quarter-final against Ana Ivanovic (in which she led 5-3* in the third set and had three match-points), but Ana had not recovered from her recent French Open triumph, and lost to Zheng in the third round.

In one way, Nicole is lucky to draw such a low-ranked opponent in the quarter-finals. It's far more likely that Zheng would be unable to repeat her previous heroics than that one of the top seeds would have an off-day against Nicole in the quarter-finals of a Major.

But on the other hand, it puts the pressure of expectation heavily on Nicole's sexy shoulders, and that could have a devastating effect on her form, with her confidence being so fragile after her recent slump. Nicole plays better when she's relaxed and easy-going, as she was (relatively speaking) against Anna Chakvetadze.

Personally, I'm not pressuring myself into the idea that Nicole is supposed to beat Zheng on Tuesday. I'm very happy to have her back in the quarter-finals after her recent slump, so anything further would be a very nice bonus, and I'm not going to beat myself up about it if she loses to Zheng.

Nicole leads Zheng 2:0 head to head:
+ 2005 US Open 2r: Nicole won 6-3 6-0
+ 2006 Strasbourg qf: Nicole won 6-4 4-6 6-2

Strasbourg 2006 remains Nicole's latest title, and Zheng was the only player to take a set off her there.

Zheng reached her career-high singles-ranking of #27 in 2006, but plummeted to #163 in 2007, as a left-ankle injury forced her to miss all tournaments after the French Open 2007. But she's played a full schedule so far in 2008, with wins over Nadia Petrova and Amélie Mauresmo at Miami, and a 5-match winning-streak to reach the third round of the French Open as a qualifier (she beat Maria Kirilenko, but lost to Dinara Safina).

Nicole's destiny is in her own beautiful hands. She certainly has the weapons to overpower Zheng, but if she starts missing lots of cheap returns, struggling with short balls, or allowing her focus to waver, then it could turn into the aforementioned nightmare.

Nicole: "She's a great player. She plays very well on grass. It's the quarter-finals, so it's definitely not going to be an easy match."

Wimbledon 2008: Quarter-final Preview
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/3/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2387
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Zheng,Jie (CHN)[WC] v NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ (CZE)[18] - Vaidišová leads 2:0

Having beaten Zheng twice before - in 2005 and 2006 - Vaidišová may have more confidence to play well, but after knocking out Ivanovic, Zheng has proven that she is more than capable of disrupting Wimbledon for the seeds. Turning 25 years old on Thursday, will Zheng have more reason to celebrate?
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Ronald Atkin's preview for www.wimbledon.org:
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Finally, a quarter-final on which you could have got very long odds indeed, featuring an unseeded Chinese - Zheng,Jie - against the Czech Nicole Vaidišová, who reached this stage last year as an 18-year-old.

The 2008 season has, until now, been a touch mundane for this former top-tenner, but with Tim Henman's former coach David Felgate at her side, Nicole has flourished on the grass and will be hoping, like Tiger Tim, to find herself in the semi-finals by tonight.
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Nick Bollettieri's preview
http://nickstennispicks.com/
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Nicole Vaidišová (CZE) v Jie Zheng (CHN)

Nick's Pick: Vaidišová in 3 sets.
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2008 Wimbledon Quarter-final Preview
By Aaress Lawless
http://www.onthebaseline.com/2008/06/30/2008-wimbledon-quarterfinals-preview/
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For six months, the tennis-world has been buzzing about Nicole Vaidišová's relationship with Radek Štepánek; her slump, which appeared to be worsening by the tournament; and her coaching-split from her stepfather Aleš Kodat.

Nicole Vaidišová in two sets.
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Vaidišová to face Zheng
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2388
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A Czech-Chinese quarter-final between Nicole Vaidišová and Zheng,Jie was also set on Monday.

"I don't want to think about the semi-finals, because I want to concentrate on my next match," said Zheng, who is the second Chinese player ever to reach this round of a Major, following Li,Na at this event two years ago. "I just want to keep going, try my best, and not think about too much. It's my first quarter-final."
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My TV-report

- NICOLE VAIDIŠOVÁ [18,EF] lt. Zheng,Jie [WC], 2-6 7-5 1-6

"Siamese fighting fish: fascinating creatures. Brave but, on the whole, stupid. Except for the occasional one, such as we have here, who lets the other two fight. While he waits. Waits until the survivor is so exhausted that he cannot defend himself. And then, like SPECTRE, he strikes."
[Ernst Stavro Blofeld, From Russia with Love]

A disappointing, erratic performance by Nicole, but that was largely Zheng's fault: she knew exactly how to jerk Nicole around with precise, intelligent placement on her groundstrokes. Nicole has far more power than Zheng, but Zheng has far better footwork, and far better discipline.

Zheng hits the ball so early, and her flat, low-bouncing balls are very effective on grass against tall girls such as Ana Ivanovic and Nicole.

Nicole was probably very tired in the third set, too - it was her sixth set in two days, after all.

Nicole made a slow start with some sloppy errors, while Zheng came out of the locker-room ready to hit the ground running.

Zheng played a great first set, breaking in the second game, and saving three break-points at *2-0. Nicole squandered another break-point at 2-4*, and lost the first set 2-6 on a double fault.

In the second set, Zheng's level dropped such that she wasn't jerking Nicole around as effectively as in the first, and Nicole was making fewer errors.

Nicole broke for *3-2 with a pinpoint forehand winner down the line, but was broken back immediately as Zheng hit two stunning return-winners.

Nicole squandered another break-point at 3-3*, but succeeded where Ana Ivanovic had failed: serving to stay in the match at *4-5. Then she broke for *6-5, and despite facing a break-point, became the first player to take a set off Zheng this Wimbledon!

Nicole played well early in the third set, holding to love in the second game, but it was to be the last game she would win. She had Zheng serving at 1-1 (15/30), but made a couple of cheap return-errors.

But the real turning-point was *1-2 (40/15). Having hit three winners in a row, Nicole double-faulted, then made three errors to lose her serve: 1-3*.

And she was reacting to losing points like Anna Chakvetadze had reacted against her the day before: throwing her racket, hitting balls away in anger, and sinking to her knees.

In a long service-game of three deuces at *1-4, Nicole hit a delectable backhand dropshot-winner to give herself a game-point, but committed three forehand errors in a row - two of them wild - to lose her serve again.

At 1-5*, Nicole appeared to have given up as she made three quick errors to give Zheng match-points at 40/0. But she saved the first with a well-controlled rally, hitting a pinpoint forehand winner down the line, and Zheng cracked first in a dramatic rally at 40/15, with both girls peppering the baselines.

But the final point (40/30) was an appropriate epilogue to Nicole's recent on-court struggles: she netted a cheap forehand return off a second serve.

It's very encouraging that Nicole got her act together sufficiently to defend her quarter-final here, but it's still a long way back to the level she had when beating Amélie Mauresmo here last year, and in that amazing quarter-final against Ana Ivanovic.

Back then, she was exaggerating her footwork, and only her nerves let her down in the end (when she had 5-3* and three match-points in the third set against Ana). Now, her footwork has regressed to approximately what it was at Wimbledon 2005, and she's so streaky: looking like a world-beater at times, but haemorrhaging forehand- and return-errors at other times, and she has tanked three times this grasscourt-season (second set against Mattek at Birmingham, second set against Stosur here and, to a lesser extent, at the end of the third set against Zheng).

Why did Nicole start winning again on grass, which has been her worst surface in previous years? Grass is the most forgiving surface there is: much less of a grind than clay or hard if you can keep the points short, which Nicole certainly has the weapons to do. Now she has to build on the confidence she's gained as she returns to her favoured hard courts.

First set

VAIDI    * *   2
ZHENG *@* * *@ 6

The match was second on Court One, and started at 15:03 BST.

Ben Dirs (BBC Sport): "Hello again. Players are knocking up on Court One, and the third quarter-final is between Jie Zheng of China and the Czech Republic's Nicole Vaidišová. Vaidišová has been going through a rotten run of form this season, but she hooked up with British coach David Felgate a couple of months ago, and it would appear to be having an effect. Vaidišová defeated Anna Chakvetadze - the eighth seed - in the fourth round, and with only three of the top eight seeds left in the draw, she'll fancy her chances of at least making the final. Zheng, meanwhile, is coming off the back of wins over top seed Ana Ivanovic in round three and 15th seed Ágnes Szávay in round four."

Zheng serving 0-0: Nicole forehand long. 15/0. Nicole netted a forehand. 30/0. Zheng on the third stroke hit a backhand long. 30/15. Zheng played a good spreading rally: her hard, deep crosscourt forehand forcing Nicole to net a forehand. 40/15. Nicole netted a forehand.

Not an encouraging start for Nicole - some rather sloppy errors, and Zheng's flat, low-bouncing balls are very effective on grass against tall girls such as Ana Ivanovic and Nicole.

Ben Dirs: "It's Zheng to serve first, and the chunky little Chinese moves into a 30/0 lead with the minimum fuss. Zheng makes it 40/15 with a hefty forehand which Vaidišová is unable to deal with, and that's a comfortable hold, the Czech hitting a forehand into the net. Confident start from the 24-year-old."

Nicole serving 0-1: Nicole sprayed an off-forehand wide. 0/15. Nicole backhand long. 0/30. Zheng netted a forehand return off a big second serve. 15/30. Zheng spread Nicole with a crosscourt forehand + crosscourt backhand winner - great angles. 15/40. Zheng outmanoeuvred Nicole, but hit a down-the-line forehand long. 30/40. Double fault (second serve into the net).

So far, it's the bad Nicole of recent months that has showed up, but it's early days yet, so hopefully this is just a slow start...

Ben Dirs: "Zheng full of beans, and Vaidišová is put off her game by some early hitting. That's a magnificent winner from Zheng: bending her knees and clipping a backhand off her toes to set up two break-points. Vaidišová saves one, but a meek double fault gives Zheng the break."

www.wimbledon.org (15:11): "Zheng holds to open, then totally dominates the Vaidi-serve to make it 2-0! Which Nicole is going to show up: the one who reduced Chakvetadze to tears last time up, or the one who strolled around barely trying as she all but lost to Sammy Stosur in the second round?"

Zheng serving 2-0: Nicole backhand long. 15/0. Deep service-winner out wide. 30/0. Zheng spread Nicole with a crosscourt forehand onto the sideline, forcing Nicole to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 40/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 40/15. Nicole's deep forehand return induced Zheng to hit a forehand long. 40/30. Zheng netted a crosscourt forehand. 40/40. Zheng sprayed a forehand onto the doubles-sideline. Ad Nicole (BP #1). Nicole came to the net, but an acute crosscourt forehand pass forced her to net a forehand volley. Deuce #2. Double fault. Ad Nicole (BP #2). Nicole netted a cheap forehand return, and yelled in Czech. Deuce #3. Zheng netted a tame backhand on the third stroke. Ad Nicole (BP #3). Nicole netted a sliced backhand. Deuce #4. Nicole crosscourt forehand just wide. Ad Zheng. She hit a pinpoint crosscourt forehand into the corner, forcing Nicole to net a forehand.

Virginia Wade (after 30/0): "Such an impressive change of direction from Zheng. She's making Nicole look slow."

A few more errors from Zheng in that game, but Nicole is still very erratic, and Zheng is moving Nicole around with precise groundstrokes, making her look quite ungainly in a similar way to how Justine Henin did at Eastbourne 2007.

Ben Dirs: "Zheng is really giving Vaidišová the runaround, and the lanky Czech is really not able to cope at the moment. Zheng moves into a 40/0 lead before serving up her first double fault. Better depth on that return from Vaidišová and that's 40/30, and the Chinese woman finds the net with a forehand to make it deuce. Zheng goes from Ferrari to Nissan Sunny in the space of a couple of minutes, yanking a forehand wide, but she's back on form in saving break-point, hooking another forehand past the advancing Vaidišová. Another double fault from Zheng, but Vaidišová slams a very hittable forehand into the net, and we're back at deuce. Zheng hands Vaidišová a third break-point with a limp backhand into the net... but that's another save, Vaidišová plopping a forehand into the bottom of the net. Vaidišová drags a forehand wide before bunting another wide as Zheng does well to hold."

www.wimbledon.org (15:16): "Deuces wild on Court No.1 as Nicole looks to break back... Vaidišová ain't a Vaidi-saver! Wild-card Zheng leads 3-0."

Nicole serving 0-3: Service-winner. 15/0. Zheng netted a backhand. 30/0. Zheng forehand long. 40/0. Nicole hit her first winner of the match - an off-forehand - to win her first game.

www.wimbledon.org (15:22): "Vaidišová shows she's not just here to make up the numbers with a convincing love service-game."

Ben Dirs: "Here's a startling stat: Vaidišová has won six titles, five of them before the age of 17. Something tells me she's been worked out. Zheng fires a couple of forehands wide, and Vaidišová seals the game with a swinging forehand winner."

Zheng serving 1-3: Serve out wide + forehand winner down the line. 15/0. Ace out wide. 30/0. Zheng came to the net; Nicole hit a testing crosscourt backhand low over the net, but Zheng hit a beautiful low backhand volley-winner. 40/0. Zheng sprayed a forehand wide off a deep ball from Nicole. 40/15. Nicole forehand long.

Virginia Wade: "Zheng,Jie just hits the ball so early off the ground."

Ben Dirs: "Spunky hitting from Zheng, making her opponent run before sweeping a forehand winner down the line. Zheng finds her first ace, and then digs out a doozy of an angled backhand volley to make it 40/0. Vaidišová hits a forehand long, and she's got a serious tussle on her hands here - Zheng's smoking."

^I hope not - it should be banned!

www.wimbledon.org (15:25): "Zheng immediately responds with a solid game to lead 4-1. She's certainly hitting the ball with some venom out there today, and her volleys have been sublime."

Nicole serving 1-4: BBC 2's transmission ended at 15:25, and the cretins controlling Freeview BBCi didn't put it on Channel 301 or 302 immediately. Nicole held to 15 (assuming that the online scoreboard didn't freeze).

Ben Dirs: "Vaidišová moves into a 30/0 lead before dollying up a forehand at the net, which Zheng is able to punch home on the backhand side. Zheng blows a challenge - that was a couple of feet long - but makes it interesting with a whipped crosscourt forehand winner. But Vaidišová digs out a big serve to save."

Zheng serving 4-2: 15/30. 15/40 (BP #1). 30/40 (BP #2). Freeview 301 joined the match at 40/40. Zheng netted a backhand off a deep, mildly awkward forehand return. Virginia Wade: "Much better footwork there from Vaidišová." Ad Nicole (BP #3). Nicole hit a forehand just long, yelled in frustration, gave her ponytail a violent tug, and slapped her right thigh. Deuce #2. Nicole slipped a bit, and dumped a backhand halfway up the net. Virginia Wade: "I thought that was the first not-concentrated shot she hit." Ad Zheng. Nicole spread Zheng with a crosscourt forehand + crosscourt backhand, inducing Zheng to hit a backhand just long/wide. Deuce #3. Nicole netted a forehand return. Ad Zheng. Nicole netted a backhand off a deep crosscourt backhand from Zheng.

Virginia Wade: "Zheng is so disciplined: really concentrated on every point."

Ben Dirs: "Zheng wrong-foots her opponent with a disguised forehand, but Vaidišová is finding her range now, and she moves into a 15/40 lead with a couple of lacerating forehand winners. Vaidišová finds the net with a meek forehand return, and Zheng saves a second break-point with a fizzing forehand that again wrong-foots Vaidišová. An unforced error from Zheng hands Vaidišová another chance, but she's unable to grasp it. Zheng's a real hustler from the back of the court, but she makes it deuce again, hooking a backhand wide and long. Unforced error from Vaidišová, and Zheng really finds some depth with her groundstrokes in the key rally as she manages to save."

www.wimbledon.org (15:34): "Zheng certainly is a fighter, says Beci Wood. She's just saved a couple of break-points to Vaidišová with an accurate serve down the centre of the court and a strong forehand out wide. Or maybe it's Vaidišová who is being wasteful. On paper, Vaidišová should win, but Zheng just seems to get better and better as the tournament goes on."

Nicole serving 2-5: Nicole netted a cheap forehand on the third stroke. 0/15. Zheng sliced a backhand return into the net. 15/15. Zheng hit a crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline, but Nicole didn't make much attempt to run it down - she wasn't that far away. 15/30. Nicole netted a forehand off an awkward, body-jamming backhand from Zheng. 15/40 (SP #1). Nicole saved it with a serve out wide + forehand winner down the line. 30/40 (SP #2). Double fault (second serve into the net). Zheng won the first set 6-2 at 15:39 (36 minutes).

Ben Dirs: "Zheng rattles a forehand return back Vaidišová's way, and the willowy Czech is unable to cope with it. Zheng makes it 15/30 with a pinpoint crosscourt winner that leaves Vaidišová rooted to the spot, and Zheng has two set-points as Vaidišová makes another unforced error on the forehand side. She saves one with a thumping forehand winner, but there's another limp double fault and that's the first set to Zheng, and the Chinese battler is looking mightily focused out there."

www.wimbledon.org (15:40): "A lazy forehand by Vaidišová brings up two set-points to Zheng. One is saved by a forehand, but a horrendous double fault hands the set to her opponent 6-2."

A disappointing set from Nicole, but Zheng seems to know exactly how to expose her lack of mobility and make it awkward for her. Zheng appears to have done her homework on Nicole, and came out here ready to hit the ground running, unlike Nicole.

Second set

VAIDI  * *@  * *@* 7
ZHENG * *  @* *    5

Zheng serving 0-0: Zheng hit a wild crosscourt backhand long. 0/15. Nicole hit a deep off-forehand onto the baseline, forcing Zheng to bunt a defensive backhand lob long. 0/30. Zheng forced Nicole to hit a forehand lob long. 15/30. Nicole blasted a forehand return long. 30/30. Nicole sliced a backhand into the net, and threw her racket against the ground. Virginia Wade: "I think she changed her mind there." 40/30. Nicole punished a short second serve with a hard, deep backhand return just inside the baseline, forcing Zheng to earth a forehand. 40/40. Nicole on the fourth stroke netted a cheap forehand. Ad Zheng. Nicole blasted an off-forehand return-winner onto the sideline. Deuce #2. Zheng came to the net, rushing Nicole into hitting a crosscourt forehand pass very wide. Ad Zheng. Nicole netted a forehand off a deep forehand into her body.

Nicole is failing in a very basic way at the moment: failing to read where the ball's going to land and get into her feet into position. I had the same problem myself when I used to play tennis, and I wasn't even a club-level player.

Ben Dirs: "Vaidišová is shaking the rust off that forehand, and it's too much for Zheng as she moves into a 0/30 lead. Vaidišová heaves a forehand long before snatching at another return to make it 30/30. The Czech is getting frustrated out there now, berating herself after hitting a backhand lamely into the net, but she makes amends with a beefy backhand that Zheng is unable to track down. No consistency from Vaidišová, though, typified by the next two points: first she plonks a forehand into the net, but wins the next point with a fizzing forehand winner. And it's Zheng's game: Vaidišová again finding the net on the forehand-side."

www.wimbledon.org (15:51): "Back on Court No.1, Zheng survives a tricky service-game to lead 1-0 in the second set. Vaidišová's cheerleading team don't look too happy. Fiancé Radek Štepánek is sitting up in the stands with a stony face."

Nicole serving 0-1: Service-winner onto the baseline shot through on Zheng. 15/0. A good baseline-rally ended with Zheng hitting an off-backhand winner back behind Nicole. 15/15. Nicole hit a crosscourt backhand dropshot-winner onto the sideline; Zheng challenged it, and Hawk-Eye showed that it caught about 15% of the sideline. 30/15. Ace out wide: just inside the sideline. 40/15. A good deep serve forced Zheng to hit a crosscourt forehand wide.

A much better game by Nicole.

Ben Dirs: "Zheng gets a shooter off the service-line that's she unable to deal with, but she wins the next point with a neat wrong-footing backhand. Vaidišová pings down her first ace to move into a 40/15 lead, and the Chinese nugget is only able to bunt her next return long."

www.wimbledon.org (15:54): "Vaidišová holds to fifteen. She's level in the second set, but her play today seems to be so erratic. A couple of fine points are often followed by some almost lazy play. Sounds reminiscent of that second-round match of hers against Sam Stosur, when she lost nine games in a row."

Zheng serving 1-1: Nicole netted a cheap forehand return. 15/0. Zheng hit a crosscourt sliced backhand back behind Nicole, forcing her to net a one-handed backhand. 30/0. Nicole hit a crosscourt backhand wide, and yelled. 40/0. A deep first serve on the service-line forced Nicole to spray a crosscourt backhand return wide.

Virginia Wade: "You can see the temptation for the big hitters to try to hit her off the court, but Zheng's timing is so good that she just scoops it up, almost half-volleying some of those high-velocity balls."

(For the non-physicists among you: velocity means speed in a specified direction.)

Ben Dirs: "Gossamer-touch from Zheng, making Vaidišová do the splits with a delicately sliced backhand, and that's an easy hold, Vaidišová pulling a backhand return well wide. I have the feeling Wimbledon could find itself another seed down in half an hour or so..."

www.wimbledon.org (15:56): "Vaidišová needs to do something quick if she's going to make any in-roads here. Zheng just moved 2-1 ahead after an easy service-game."

Nicole serving 1-2: Zheng backhand long. 15/0. Nicole hit a wild crosscourt forehand long and wide. 15/15. A deep ball just inside the baseline forced Zheng into error. 30/15. Service-winner out wide. 40/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 40/30. Zheng netted a sliced backhand.

Ben Dirs: "Vaidišová is applying stacks of depth to her groundstrokes, and Zheng is struggling to cope when her opponent does that. Vaidišová serves up her third double fault, but Zheng finds the net with a backhand to hand her the game."

Zheng serving 2-2: Zheng sprayed a forehand very long. 0/15. Zheng came to the net and hit a forehand volley-winner down the line. 15/15. Nicole's crosscourt forehand return clipped the netcord and dropped dead for a winner. 15/30. Zheng netted a cheap forehand on the third stroke. 15/40. Nicole broke with an off-backhand return + forehand winner down the line - Zheng challenged it, and Hawk-Eye showed that it caught about 10% of the baseline. Zheng has only one challenge left.

Zheng's level has dropped, and Nicole's not making so many errors now. Zheng isn't jerking her around as effectively as before.

Virginia Wade: "Seems to be really applying herself now."

Ben Dirs: "Good coverage at the net from Zheng, who punches home a solid forehand volley to make it 15/15. However, two unforced errors from Zheng hand Vaidišová two break-points, and the Czech converts the first: a forehand just dipping in time and clipping the baseline. Zheng has a challenge, but the call was correct and that's Vaidišová's first break of the match."

www.wimbledon.org (16:02): "Back on No.1 court, two more break-points to Vaidišová. Can she finally take one of them? Yes she can! A fine forehand onto the baseline (and it must have been the very edge) seals a 3-2 lead, and she's about to serve."

Nicole serving 3-2: Ace down the middle: just inside the centre-line. 15/0. A deep, early crosscourt backhand return on the baseline, at Nicole's feet, forced her to net a backhand. 15/15. Nicole sprayed a wild forehand very long. 15/30. Ace out wide: on the sideline. 30/30. Nicole tried to hit a body-jamming serve, but Zheng hit a short-angled crosscourt forehand return-winner. 30/40. Zheng broke back with a crosscourt backhand return-winner.

Ben Dirs: "Booming ace from Vaidišová, straight down the middle. But Zheng still getting plenty of zing on her groundstrokes, and Vaidišová buckles under a hefty backhand to lose the next point. Another precision-ace from the Czech, but Zheng sets up a break-point with a forehand winner - she took that ball so early that the ball was still coming down from Vaidišová's toss [sic]. And it's a break back: courtesy of a backhand return that left Vaidišová staring like a stranded foal from the back of the court."

www.wimbledon.org (16:05): "Beci is seriously impressed with the determination of Zheng. Ever the fighter, she immediately breaks back to level the second-set score at 3-3."

Zheng serving 3-3: Nicole netted a forehand return. 15/0. Nicole dumped a cheap forehand halfway up the net. Virginia Wade: "Zheng just seems to take away all options from these players except to try to outhit her - they just don't know how to mix it up. I mean: the ball just keeps coming back so flat, so early." 30/0. Nicole played a great spreading rally, her crosscourt forehand forcing Zheng to net a forehand and almost do the splits. Virginia Wade: "Fantastic footwork from the Chinese girl, but as she goes to nearly doing the splits, you wonder about that left foot and ankle." 30/15. Zheng grimaced after missing her first serve, as if to back up what Virginia Wade just said. A penetrating crosscourt backhand return + deep forehand from Nicole forced Zheng to earth a backhand. 30/30. Nicole hit a deep forehand down the line: right in the corner. She pumped her fist. 30/40. Great rally: first serve on the service-line; Nicole mishit a forehand return that landed just inside the baseline, forcing Zheng to hit a weak crosscourt forehand; Nicole hit a short, sharp crosscourt forehand; Zheng hit a crosscourt forehand onto the sideline; Nicole, outside the tramlines, squeezed a pinpoint forehand down the line - accompanied by a high-pitched yelp; Zheng, pushed back on her heels, hit a crosscourt backhand winner into the open court - accompanied by a high-pitched yelp of her own - and the force of Nicole's last shot made Zheng stumble at the back of the court. Barry Davies: "A brilliant shot - dug it right out from the backhand-corner. Used the pace again." 40/40. First serve out wide: Nicole slapped a forehand return into the bottom of the net. Ad Zheng. She played a great spreading rally with a brilliant acute-angled crosscourt backhand winner onto the baseline.

Nicole's trying to overpower Zheng rather than mixing it up.

Virginia Wade: "This is the problem playing against Zheng: you have some opportunities, and then she plays a couple of sensational points, so you try a little harder and miss, and then you're totally frustrated. I would think she's the worst player to play against - doesn't give you any help at all."

Ben Dirs: "Some seriously crisp hitting on the forehand-side from Vaidišová sets up another break-point, but Zheng does tremendously well to save it, hooking a backhand winner past Vaidišová from behind the baseline. And that's another crackerjack backhand from the Chinese woman, really narrowing the angle, and once again leaving Vaidišová floundering."

Nicole serving 3-4: Zheng hit a deep backhand just inside the baseline, followed by a dropshot, but it was rather telegraphed: Nicole ran it down and hit a forehand winner down the line. 15/0. Nicole backhand wide. 15/15. Zheng hit a wild forehand return very long, and emitted a cute, high-pitched squeal. 30/15. First serve down the middle induced Zheng to net a forehand return. 40/15. Zheng blasted a wrong-footing crosscourt backhand winner past Nicole's outstretched racket. 40/30. Serve out wide: backhand return long.

Virginia Wade: "It was at this stage yesterday, in her match against Chakvetadze, that Vaidišová began to loosen up and play a little bit better, but I don't think she's been tight today - I think, honestly, she's just been beaten by the incredible swiftness of the Chinese player."

Ben Dirs: "A Murrayesque attempted dropshot from Zheng and Vaidišová climbs all over it, sending home a forehand winner. Wild forehand return from Zheng, and Vaidišová makes it 40/15 with another hearty first serve. That's really penetrating from Zheng on both the forehand and the backhand before finding the baseline with a whipped backhand winner. However, Vaidišová holds..."

Zheng serving 4-4 (new balls): Nicole wrapped her racket around a forehand, dumping it two thirds up the net. 15/0. Nicole netted a forehand return off a mildly awkward serve. 30/0. Nicole blasted an off-forehand wide - a disappointing unforced error at this crucial stage. 40/0. Nicole went for a forehand return-winner down Zheng's forehand-sideline, but it was just long - at least I like what she was trying to do there.

Virginia Wade: "Vaidišová has no answers so far. Praying for big first serves."

Ben Dirs: "Zheng races into a 30/0 lead, and then a 40/0 lead courtesy of a ballooned forehand from her rival. And that's a straightforward hold, Vaidišová hooking a forehand long. Zheng is just one game away from winning the match."

www.wimbledon.org (16:14): "Wow. If you'd blinked you might have missed it. Zheng drives another beast of a backhand crosscourt [*3-4 (40/15)]. She's only 5'4", but she's certainly got some power in her. Vaidišová is about to serve to save the match..."

Nicole serving 4-5: Service-winner down the middle (Zheng defensive backhand lob-return just wide). 15/0. Service-winner out wide. 30/0. Nicole dominated the rally, but blasted a wild crosscourt forehand wide - no need to go for so much. 30/15. Zheng blasted a crosscourt backhand just long. 40/15. Serve + deep crosscourt forehand forced Zheng to net a forehand.

At least Nicole's doing better than Ana Ivanovic did against Zheng (1-6 4-6).

Ben Dirs: "A couple of searching first serves from Vaidišová take her into a 30/0 lead, but she the contrives to yank a forehand wide and long when she was in charge of the rally. Zheng should do better with a backhand return - that second serve sat up to be spanked, and she spanked it wide - and Vaidišová holds."

Zheng serving 5-5: Zheng on the third stroke hit a forehand just long. 0/15. Zheng hit a backhand just long, and made an unsuccessful challenge. 0/30. Nicole hit a pinpoint forehand return-winner down the line: just inside the sideline. 0/40 (BP #1). Nicole netted a backhand return off an awkward serve. 15/40 (BP #2). Zheng came to the net, but Nicole hit a crosscourt backhand into her body, forcing her to hit an off-backhand volley wide and emit a cute little squeal.

Virginia Wade (re. Nicole): "When she's been ahead, she's panicked, and when she's been on the ropes, she's settled down and just remembered that she's a pretty powerful, good player. Just hitting very much standard shots for herself - those big serves, and big forehand returns."

Ben Dirs: "Vaidišová is showing some mongrel, and she creates three break-points with a booming forehand return. She finds the net with her next return, but a wild Zheng volley hands Vaidišová the break, and the Czech will serve for the set."

www.wimbledon.org (16:22): "Court No.1: We're into the business-end of the set now. It's 5-5. Zheng's serving. Who is going to take the advantage? And it's Vaidišová, who takes the Zheng serve! 6-5 to the 17th seed from the Czech Republic."

Nicole serving 6-5: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0. Zheng backhand return just long. 30/0. Nicole netted a tight forehand on the third stroke. 30/15. Zheng hit a deep, body-jamming backhand, forcing Nicole to earth a backhand. 30/30. Zheng painted the sideline with an off-backhand winner. 30/40 (BP). Nicole's sliced backhand down the line forced Zheng to net a forehand. 40/40. Nicole hit a deep forehand down the line, forcing Zheng to net a backhand. Ad Nicole (SP #1). Zheng backhand just long: she challenged, but Hawk-Eye confirmed that it was long by about the width of the baseline again - and Zheng obviously knew that, because she had already sat down for the set-break. Nicole won the second set 7-5 at 16:27 (second set 48m, match so far 1h24m).

Ben Dirs: "Two searching first serves from Vaidišová move her into a 30/0 lead, but a forehand into the net makes it 30/15. Zheng then shows what she's all about, making Vaidišová buckle under the depth and weight of a backhand, and Zheng earns a break-point with a pinged backhand winner. Vaidišová saves - Zheng missing with a crosscourt forehand - and then pulls out another big serve to earn the advantage. That's the game and the second set, Zheng putting a forehand long, and all of a sudden, Zheng looks the more punch-drunk of the two."

www.wimbledon.org (16:30): "It's one set-all between Zheng and Vaidišová! A long Zheng backhand return gives Vaidišová the second set. It's all to play for now. I must admit I didn't think a third set was on the cards after Vaidišová's subdued performance in the first set. Fair play to her for getting back into the match, though."

And that's the first set anyone has taken off Zheng this tournament!

Third set

VAIDI  *      1
ZHENG * *@*@* 6

Zheng serving 0-0: Nicole backhand long. 15/0. Zheng backhand long. 15/15. Nicole's off-backhand return forced Zheng to net a forehand. 15/30. Nicole netted a forehand return, and looked very frustrated, muttering to herself. 30/30. Nicole retrieved one wide ball with a chopped forehand, but hit another crosscourt forehand wide. 40/30. Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell just long). 40/40. Nicole backhand just long. Ad Zheng. Nicole blasted an off-forehand just long, and gently bounced her racket against the court. She changed her racket.

BBC Sport: "While Dirs goes for a comfort-break, which is a mental image I'm already regretting, Zheng looks like she too could do with five minutes to herself. A double fault sees her pegged back to deuce, but Vaidišová cannot take advantage, spraying a forehand wide to hand over a game she might have won."

Nicole serving 0-1: In a great rally with Nicole spreading and Zheng retrieving, Nicole took the initiative on the fifth stroke with a short-angled crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Zheng to chop back a short forehand; Nicole ran up to it and hit an off-forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Zheng to hit a defensive backhand lob that landed on her own side of the net. 15/0. Zheng netted a backhand return. 30/0. Zheng pushed Nicole into the tramlines with a crosscourt forehand return, and appeared to hit a down-the-line forehand winner onto the baseline, but it was called long late - Zheng stopped and stared. 40/0. First serve out wide, on the service-line: Zheng bunted a backhand return onto the baseline; Nicole tapped back a very short backhand like she thought Zheng's shot was long, and Zheng pushed an off-forehand wide.

Ben Dirs: "Blimey, that was one of the most comforting comfort-breaks ever: I absolutely loved every second of it [too much information!]. Vaidišová makes a rare foray to the net and flips home a forehand winner, before thumping down a big serve that Zheng can only bunt into the net, and that's a straightforward hold."

Zheng serving 1-1: Zheng netted a backhand off a deep ball from Nicole. 0/15. Nicole forced a short ball and hit an off-forehand winner back behind Zheng. Virginia Wade: "Too early in this set to say that the tide has turned for good in Vaidišová's favour, but some really stunning shots coming off her racket now." 0/30. Nicole forehand return just long. Virginia Wade: "Just when you think she's mastered her range, speed and accuracy, Vaidišová, she misses one by quite a lot." 15/30. Nicole netted a backhand return, and dropped her racket. 30/30. Nicole mishit a backhand return long, and swiped the hallowed turf with her racket. 40/30. Nicole blasted a backhand return into the net.

Ben Dirs: "Vaidišová opens up the court with a solid return before sweeping home a forehand winner. An unforced error on the forehand from the Czech makes it 30/30, and she cracks her racquet into the ground after ballooning a backhand return long. And that's an impressive hold from Zheng, who manages to find a deep, penetrating first serve just when she needed."

Virginia Wade (re. Nicole): "I think she's got a lot of work to do on what's really off-court preparation: learning how to get her mind ready, prepare ahead to know how to expect the feelings that come when you miss shots and when you get frustrated. I don't think it's a terrible thing to be getting angry; you just have to learn to control that - use it to your own good."

www.wimbledon.org (16:40): "Tattoo-watch: Nicole has a star on her left wrist. We're three games into the third and final set there, and its going with serve: 2-1 to Zheng. For the first time in the match, we've got both players performing well. I wouldn't like to guess who's going to win this one now."

Nicole serving 1-2: Nicole hit a very short second serve, Zheng a deep return, and Nicole dumped a forehand into the net. 0/15. Serve out wide + backhand winner down the line. 15/15. Second serve out wide + forehand winner down the line: on the baseline. 30/15. Nicole forced a floater and hit an off-forehand drive-volley winner. 40/15. Double fault (second serve just long). Nicole hit a ball away in anger. 40/30. Nicole netted a backhand and sank to her knees. 40/40. Nicole hit a backhand long off a deep, low-bouncing ball from Zheng. Ad Zheng (BP). Nicole hit a crosscourt forehand just wide, off a mildly awkward crosscourt forehand from Zheng.

Nicole was hitting winners, had 40/15... and now she's going to have to dig very deep.

Ben Dirs: "Sturdy, but somehow elegant, backhand winner from Vaidišová straight down the line, and she makes it 30/15 with a winner off the other hand. Vaidišová hitting her straps in this game, thrusting home a drive-volley, but she spoils things with a double fault and a fluffed backhand into the net to make it deuce. The Czech then heaves a backhand long before she's outlasted from the back of the court by Zheng, Vaidišová eventually hooking a forehand a fraction wide."

www.wimbledon.org (16:46): "Vaidišová falls to her knees after netting a backhand at 40/30 on her serve. She then overhits a backhand to hand Zheng a break-point. And 17 minutes into the third set, Zheng gains the upper hand with a break to lead 3-1."

Zheng serving 3-1: Nicole netted a backhand off a ball on the baseline from Zheng. 15/0. Zheng hit a crosscourt backhand winner back behind Nicole. 30/0. Nicole hit a pinpoint off-backhand return-winner just inside the sideline. 30/15. Nicole netted a sliced backhand. 40/15. Ace out wide: on the sideline.

Nicole's gone off the boil, and Zheng is playing very well again.

Ben Dirs: "Zheng crashes home a backhand pass, and Vaidišová never really made a game of that, first putting a backhand return into the net, before watching helplessly as a Zheng serve flashes by."

www.wimbledon.org (16:48): "Jie's looking just ace right now. A sublime ace out wide hands the wild card a 4-1 advantage. She's now just two games away from her first-ever Major semi-final."

Nicole serving 1-4 (new balls): Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Zheng's backhand return floated just long, and Nicole hit that ball away in frustration. 15/15. A big backhand down the line forced Zheng to hit a skyscraper-lob just wide. 30/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 30/30. A deep return down the middle induced Nicole to blast a wild off-forehand wide. 30/40 (BP #1). Service-winner out wide: on the service-line. 40/40. Nicole netted a forehand off a short, mishit crosscourt forehand return from Zheng. Ad Zheng (BP #2). Zheng backhand return just long. Deuce #2. Nicole hit a delectable off-backhand dropshot-winner off a dropshot from Zheng. Ad Nicole. She sprayed a forehand very long off a deep ball from Zheng. Deuce #3. Nicole forehand just long. Ad Zheng (BP #3). Nicole blasted a wild forehand very long & wide on the third stroke - her 36th unforced error.

While Nicole hasn't quite 'Czeched out' of this match as badly as she did in the second set against Samantha Stosur in the second round, she's spraying errors left, right and centre now.

Virginia Wade: "She's completely addled in her head."

Ben Dirs: "Double fault from Vaidišová - her fifth - but Zheng shows signs of nerves, bunting a backhand return six feet long before badly mishitting an attempted topspin forehand. A sixth double fault from Vaidišová, and she follows up with a wild and windy forehand that gives Zheng break-point. Vaidišová finds a big first serve to save it, but, on the next point, dollies a forehand into the net to hand Zheng another break-point. The Chinese woman can't take her chance, and Vaidišová gives herself an advantage with a rare bit of touch: a backhand dropshot that leaves Zheng rooted. Good scrambling from Zheng on the next point before Vaidišová swings a lazy-looking forehand long, and Zheng earns another break-point when the Czech pushes another forehand long. The Chinese wildcard is on the verge of a semi-final berth..."

www.wimbledon.org (16:53): "Meanwhile, on No.1 court, an incredible angled forehand by Zheng brings up another break-point. Surely this is a virtual match-point? But it's saved. And a deft dropshot brings up a game-point to Vaidišová. I'm going to hand you over to Beci for what could well be the dying embers of that one."
(16:55) "Thanks Drew [Lilley]. This is Beci Wood going solo now. I can't quite believe how this third set has panned out. Zheng did indeed break to gain a 5-1 lead, and is now serving for a place in the semi-finals."

Zheng serving 5-1: Nicole netted a forehand. 15/0. Nicole sprayed an off-forehand wide. 30/0. Nicole netted an off-backhand return. 40/0 (MP #1). Nicole played a well-controlled rally with a deep forehand winner down the line: just inside the baseline. 40/15 (MP #2). A dramatic rally, with both girls hitting each other's baselines several times, ended with Zheng netting a backhand. 40/30 (MP #3). First serve let (on the service-line). First serve into the net. Second serve: Nicole netted a cheap forehand return, as she's done so often these last four weeks that I've been watching her. Zheng won 6-2 5-7 6-1 at 16:57 (third set 30m, match 1h54m).

Ben Dirs: "Zheng races into a 40/0 lead, Vaidišová putting up no great resistance with her returns of serve, but she suddenly finds form, giving Zheng the runaround with a series of booming forehands to make it 40/15. Both players pepper the baseline on the next point before Zheng is unable to retrieve another searching forehand from her rival... but the match ends with Vaidišová dumping a forehand return into the net to make Zheng China's first Major semi-finalist. And what a gutsy performance that was from the wildcard: no wilting alarmingly under pressure from the 24-year-old Chinese, and she'll give Serena Williams a good old ding-dong in the next round, I reckon."

www.wimbledon.org (16:58): "And she's done it! Zheng moves into the semi-finals as Vaidišová nets a forehand return, and Zheng smiles with delight. 6-2 5-7 6-1 the scoreline. Well done. This has been the most incredible tournament for her.
(17:00) "Zheng salutes her fans as she walks off court. Chatting after the match, Zheng can't stop grinning. 'It's been the most incredible two weeks. I can't believe it.' Aww, I've gone a bit tingly. I do love seeing an underdog doing well. She's been the surprise-package of the tournament. Can you believe she came in as a wild card? She is a real fighter too. You go girl!"

Statistics

Nicole had a negative W:UE ratio of 23:39 (negative for every set, including a disastrous 7:18 for the third set), while Zheng's was a steady 18:18 (pretty much even in every set).

Nicole got just 48% of her first serves in, and paid for it heavily, as she won 74% of points on her first serve but just 42% on her second. Her first-serves-in percentage deteriorated from set to set, while her first-serve winning-percentage peaked at 88% for the second set, and troughed at 60% for the third.
            The corresponding percentages for Zheng were 65%, 70% and 50%, with her first-serves-in percentage dipping to 61% for the second set, and her first-serve winning-percentage soaring to 82% for the third set.

Nicole served faster than Zheng in all three categories, but not that much faster: fastest serve 109-106 mph, average first serve 100-91 mph, average second serve 85-77 mph. Nicole served a bit slower than she usually does.

Nicole served 3 aces and 6 double faults (including two in the first set at *0-1 (30/40) and *2-5 (30/40), and two at *1-4 in the third), while Zheng served 2 aces and 3 double faults.

They each had 10 BPs, but while Zheng converted 5 (breaking twice in each set that she won), Nicole only managed to break twice - both times in the second set. Nicole's returns were the most disappointing technical aspect of her 2008 grasscourt-season; I still have visions of her slapping forehand after forehand into the net, and considering that many of Zheng's first serves looked like second serves, it's very disappointing that Nicole only managed to win 32% of the points when Zheng was serving.

Nicole didn't do well at the net, winning just 3 of 6 points there, while Zheng was more selective and successful, winning 4 of 5. There was no serve & volley by either player.

In points, Zheng won 96-83 (first set 33-25, second set 34-38, third set 29-20).

Zheng's first BBC interview (immediately after the match)

This interview was quite challenging to transcribe, so please forgive me if it seems a little strange...

DAN WALKER: Well, congratulations: another match, another seed removed. You must be really enjoying Wimbledon this year.

[I note that he didn't attempt to call her by her given name (Jie), as he did with every other player he interviewed.]

ZHENG,JIE: Yes, er, very enjoy, unbelievable [to be] in the semi-final. It's ??grey one??. I think this two weeks ??on behalf?? in my life, yeah?

DAN WALKER: Now, your opponent today, Nicole, was making a few mistakes, but are you playing the best tennis of your career?

ZHENG,JIE: Yeah. Nicole had the big serve, you know. The second set, I feel I had the some small chance, but she always serving, before serving, gave me more - how do you say? - she played the more aggressive. For me, today's the big one ??de ya?? play, I just feel is a little bit tough.

DAN WALKER: And do you feel you've even surprised yourself with the style and quality that you've been producing at Wimbledon?

ZHENG,JIE: Of course. <smiling> I never think I can ??wink?? in the semi-final.

DAN WALKER: And how has this been received back in China, because obviously you've been incredibly successful over here. Have you had word of how it's going down back at home?

ZHENG,JIE: Yeah. I know today, have the many Chinese people on the TV watched this match, so I, on the court, I told me, "I need keep going!" <smiling> Then sure, sure, the best gave me my friend and my parent seeing like this one.

DAN WALKER: And before you go, the umpire out there today was giving it two or three different attempts at your name: how to pronounce it. Can you just clear it up for us? How do you say your name?

ZHENG,JIE: My name is, in China, say it as "jan jeah".

DAN WALKER: We'll get that right for the semi-final. Thank you very much.

ZHENG,JIE: Thank you very much.

DAN WALKER: Congratulations.

ZHENG,JIE: Thanks.

Zheng's second BBC interview

The following excerpt was televised in the BBC's highlights-show: Today at Wimbledon:

INTERVIEWER: Can you believe, as a wild card, you've made the semi-finals?

ZHENG,JIE: No. Heh heh! Before, I never think I can semi-final. It's a big surprise for me. I think it's a big gift for my birthday.

INTERVIEWER: When is your birthday? Saturday?

ZHENG,JIE: No - July 5 - yeah: Saturday.

INTERVIEWER: Oh. So: ladies' finals-day?

ZHENG,JIE: Yeah. Yeah! <laughing>

INTERVIEWER: It would be a nice present?

ZHENG,JIE: Yeah, I hope so. I hope I can play in my birthday, but er, I want to still thinking, the... easy thinking: don't thinking too much.

Nicole's press-conference

Zheng's press-conference

Articles

Wildcard Zheng sees off Vaidišová [CEEFAX 490->492]
>>>
Chinese wildcard Jie Zheng continued her remarkable Wimbledon-run, beating Nicole Vaidišová in the quarter-finals.

The second set, which Vaidišová took, was just as close, but Zheng produced a strong finish to clinch the decider.
<<<

Zheng admits to shock at progress [CEEFAX 492]
>>>
World number 133 Jie Zheng admits she is shocked to have reached the last four at Wimbledon after being given a wildcard-entry.

"I lost to Serena in the first round in 2004, when she was defending champion. I hope I do better this time."
<<<

Zheng takes Czech scalp [Teletext 497]
>>>
Jie Zheng claimed the scalp of another seed in Nicole Vaidišová to reach her first-ever Major semi-final.

The Czech earned a crucial break at 5-5 in the second to claim the set 7-5, but Zheng continued her impressive run by clinching the decider 6-1.
<<<

Zheng helps quake-victims [Teletext 497]
>>>
Jie Zheng will donate her winnings to victims of the Sichuan earthquake.

And the Sichuan-born star, who now faces Serena Williams, revealed: "I'll donate all my portion. Apart from that, I will do as much as I can to help the people, because I'm from province."
<<<

Zheng zooms into record-books
By Sally Easton (www.wimbledon.org)
>>>
Zheng,Jie became the first wild card to reach a semi-final of the ladies' singles and the first Chinese woman in the last four of a Major as she beat 18th seed Nicole Vaidišová 6-2 5-7 6-1.

The teenager was clearly out of sorts, and Zheng could taste victory in the air of No.1 Court. Unforced error followed by unforced error gave Zheng a 5-1 lead to serve for the match.
<<<

Sisters coast as rivals scrap on Day 8
By Drew Lilley (www.wimbledon.org)
>>>
Another three-set epic saw Zheng,Jie - the surprise-package of the ladies' draw - continue her fairy-tale run and defeat Nicole Vaidišová. The Czech No.18 seed had blown hot and cold throughout the tournament, and was no different against Zheng. The Chinese wild card broke early, then saved a number of break-back points mid-set, before a Vaidišová double fault at 2-5 (30/40) handed her the opener.

Her prize for becoming only the second person outside the top 100 (she is ranked #133 in the world) to make the semi-finals at Wimbledon is a date with Serena Williams.
<<<

Zheng grabs limelight in Williams-show (Reuters)
Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Clare Lovell
>>>
Chinese wildcard Zheng,Jie provided an absorbing sub-plot to Williams-sister domination on quarter-final day at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Zheng, who missed the 2007 season with an ankle-injury, turns 25 on women's final-day, but with Serena Williams in a mean mood, she is unlikely to be celebrating it on Centre Court.
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Zheng upsets Vaidišová, meets Serena (Reuters)
By Rex Gowar (editing by Clare Lovell)
>>>
Zheng,Jie became the first Chinese to reach a Major semi-final when she beat Nicole Vaidišová 6-2 5-7 6-1 on Tuesday at Wimbledon, setting up a clash with former champion Serena Williams.

Zheng proved the more resilient, though, racing away with the third set, although she needed a third match-point to settle it when the Czech sent a return into the net.
<<<

Zheng's fairytale-run continues (Reuters/Eurosport)
>>>
The remarkable Zheng,Jie beat 18th-seeded teenager Nicole Vaidišová 6-2 5-7 6-1 to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals, where she will meet former champion Serena Williams.

However, Zheng proved the more resilient, racing away with the third set, although she needed a third match-point to settle it when the Czech sent a return into the net.
<<<

Serena to meet giant-killer Zheng
By Chris Bevan (BBC Sport)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7483674.stm
>>>
Serena Williams will play Chinese wildcard Jie Zheng in the last four after Zheng beat 18th seed Nicole Vaidišová 6-2 5-7 6-1.

"After going back after Wimbledon, I will do more charity-work and encourage more people to come to support the stricken region, and hope people from Sichuan will have their new homes as soon as possible."
<<<

Wimbledon: Dementieva, Zheng Reach Semi-finals
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2389
>>>
Serena Williams will next face wildcard Zheng,Jie: a 6-2 5-7 6-1 winner over No.18 seed Nicole Vaidišová. Zheng, who beat world No.1 Ana Ivanovic in the third round and No.15 seed Ágnes Szávay in the fourth round, became China's first-ever Major semi-finalist with her victory over an erratic Vaidišová, bettering Li,Na's previous national record: a quarter-final finish (right here two years ago).

"I've been watching her play; I think she's doing a fabulous job, and I don't think it's luck, her doing so well," Williams said on Zheng. "I think she's a really good player. I'm definitely not going to underestimate her. I'm going to try to fight and do the best that I can do."
<<<

First Rate: Zheng Extends Historic Run
By Tennis Week
>>>
Hobbled in a tennis-purgatory with a left-ankle injury that sidelined her for the last six months of 2007, Jie Zheng has crafted a career-resurrection at Wimbledon.

"First of all, of course I will donate all my portion. Apart from that, I will do as much as I can to help the Sichuan-region people, because I'm from Sichuan province as well," Zheng said. "After going back after the Wimbledon, when I go back, I will do more charity-work, and encourage more people come to support the stricken region, and hope people from Sichuan will have their new home as soon as possible."
<<<

The Evans Report: Williams-Sisters One Step From Final Face-Off
By Richard Evans (Tennis Week)
>>>
The prospect of an all-Williams final at Wimbledon this year took two giant strides forward today as Venus and Serena won in impressive style, but, on another fabulous day of sunshine and cooling winds, these memorable championships also saw the emergence of a Chinese player - Zheng,Jie - in a Major semi-final for the first time, and a first last-four appearance at Wimbledon, too, for one of the most experienced Russians: Elena Dementieva.

Crouching low, she gets virtually at eye-level with her racket as she unleashes deep groundstrokes that are propelled at speeds that must catch opponents off-balance. Certainly they confounded No.1 seed Ana Ivanovic in the second round, and Vaidišová - who is tall and not the fastest mover - was always struggling to deal with the succession of balls that landed — exploded almost — in the dusty patches just inches inside her baseline.
<<<

Wildcard Jie Zheng makes history for China
By Andrew Baker (The Daily Telegraph)
>>>
Two pieces of Wimbledon-history were made on Court No.1 at 4.58pm, when Jie Zheng - the wildcard-entrant who has been the revelation of these Championships - defeated Nicole Vaidišová of the Czech Republic to become the first Chinese player to reach a Major semi-final, and the first wildcard player to reach the semi-finals of the women's singles.

"I wish to win," she said. "The Wimbledon is very historical cup, and it has very far-reach affection in China."
<<<

Matches of the tournament (Sunday 6th July)
Written by AELTC staff for www.wimbledon.org
>>>
Sally Easton: Zheng,Jie d. Nicole Vaidišová, 6-2 5-7 6-1

To get there, she beat 18th seed Nicole Vaidišová, who had not been playing her best tennis this year, and so was ripe for Zheng to attack. And that she did. Though the match became a little scrappy in places, Zheng was undeterred. She got on with the job at hand with quiet focus. And in the most modest fashion: the quickest of fist-clenches, the tiniest of pumps, was as emotional as the Chinese woman got - both to congratulate herself and to gee herself up.
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