Agnieszka Radwanska advanced to the semifinals at Wimbledon after defeating Na Li 7(7)-6(5), 4-6, 6-2 Women's Singles quarterfinals. Radwanska will attempt to advance to consecutive finals at Wimbledon and she will have to get by the inspired Sabine Lisicki to do so.
It was a hell of a battle, though the scoreboard won't adequately describe how close it truly was. Though Radwanska won, she let seven match points slip right through her hands before closing out the classic meeting between the two.
Li and Radwanska played an amazing first set, despite the chances both players let slip through their hands. However, it was Li who couldn't take advantage of all the opportunities Radwanska gave up throughout the game.
Li had a chance to win the first set, five chances to be exact. She had four set points, which she couldn't win and after one of her sets clipped the line, Li had three challenges, but didn't attempt to have the call overruled. As a result, Radwanska grew confident and comfortable eventually winning the tiebreaker 7-5. Li smacked a shot straight to the net to close out the first set and it was one of her whopping 19 unforced errors in the opening set.
A change in Li's game was seen in the second set after a 15-minute delay briefly interrupted the quarterfinal match. Li began playing the net more often, working her volley, but Radwanska was too good, mixing her shots making it tough for Li to adjust or feel any comfort throughout the match. Li didn't play smart tennis against an exquisite player, paying the price and trailing 2-4.
However, Li made quick adjustments in the seventh game, winning four straight games to complete the comeback, tying the match a one set a piece. She took complete advantage of the open court and it looked as though Radwanska was cramping up. During the break between sets, the trainers looked a Radwanska's back and they changed the tape on her quads.
In the third set, however, following an injury timeout, Radwanska came out roaring to take the final set and the match. Despite the crowd seeming to side with Li, they gave Radwanska a standing ovation immediately following the match.
Radwanska was the more consistent player, and as a result, she advanced to the semifinals of the Women's Singles tournament at Wimbledon. Li tried picking on Radwanska's forehand, but ultimately, this strategy failed.
Lisicki and Radwanska have met twice in their careers and their head-to-head series is tied 1-1. They have not met since their quarterfinals match at Dubai in 2012.