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WTA Friday – as it happened

This content was published 12 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

2141: Kerber closes out the match, 6-1 in the final set and it appeared as if the stomach injury that Kvitova had earlier got the better of her. She was moving a bit gingerly and did not look happy out there. So Li vs Serena and Kerber vs Sharapova are our semi-finals. Thanks for your company today and do join us tomorrow (if you’re not with us for the late men’s action).

2132: Not only has Kerber held serve, she has also broken Kvitova again. 4-0 she leads and this is a rather a baffling match, to be honest.

2125: Early advantage at the start of the decider to Kerber. She’s broken the Kvitova serve to lead 2-0. Can she hold now?

2114: Kvitova takes the second set 6-1 and unfortunately this has been far from a classic so far. We’ll have a decider and hope the standard can pick up a bit.

2059: Not Angelique Kerber’s greatest game. She is broken to 15 ending the game with a double fault. 4-0 Kvitova who seems to be moving OK.

2056: Kvitova races into a 3-0 lead in the second set but is now having treatment on her stomach – the Czech appears to be fine though and continues.

2036: Kerber ups her game and in the end enjoys a comfortable tiebreak winning it 7-2.

2031: Real chance for Kerber but Kvitova comes back from 0-40 down saving three set points to force the tiebreak.

2019: Gritty play by Kerber turns things around. She’s broken back and now it’s Kvitova who will have to serve to stay in the match at 5-6.

1955: Kvitova breaks back and then is able to hold, much to her delight. 3-3 and already it is intriguing contest.

1942: This is of course a match of two lefties, a fairly unusual occurrence in the women’s game right now. Neither player is serving well, Kvitova breaks back but straight away back comes Kerber to break again for a 3-1 lead.

1934: We have action again. Petra Kvitova, who won the only previous meeting between the two in Stuttgart this year, is on court against Angelique Kerber. And German Kerber has the early advantage with a 2-0 lead.

1805: That’s the match for Sharapova, 6-4, 6-3 and it’s a bad way for Venus to end what has been a very encouraging tournament in her comeback – with the dreaded double fault. Next up for Maria will be the winner of tonight’s Angelique Kerber v Petra Kvitova coming up at 7.20pm tonight.

1751: A thrilling game and Sharapova breaks again to take the 3-2 advantage. It’s not all over for Venus yet though.

1743: I seem to have spoken too soon. Sharapova’s serve fails to convince and Venus takes her chance to get back into the match. 2-2.

1732: Venus hopes disappearing fast. She was broken in the first game of the second set by Sharapova and trails 2-0. The first set remember was very much with serve.

1721: Venus simply does not give away easy games and Sharapova really has to work to see out the set. The Russian saved a break back point and was delighted to wrap the set up in the end.

1713: Sharapova breaks as Venus goes long on break point. A tight, tense set and Maria looks to have the advantage. She will serve for it at 5-4.

1706: Still very much neck and neck between Venus and Maria as we reach the business end of the set. 4-4. Who can break first?

1641: Venus starts the brightest of the pair but Sharapova has held her serve twice. 2-2.

1620: Next up on Supertennis is one, if not the, match of the day. Venus Williams against Maria Sharapova, two greats of the game. They have a 3-3 head-to-head so this should be a right humdinger.

1557: Victory for Li on the tiebreak 7-4. She rediscovered her lost consistency at just the right time to shut out any possible Cibulkova fightback. Serena Williams will not relish a clash with the eighth seed tomorrow if Li can retain her consistency throughout.

1541: Cibulkova has at last found her game, cut out the unforced errors and is starting to finding the winner. She has somehow recovered from 5-1 down and it is now 5-5.

1510: This is easy for Li I’m afraid Cibulkova fans. She does not appear to be breaking sweat and has raced into a 3-0 second set lead.

1454: Li Na takes the first set, 6-1. Too many mistakes from Cibulkova there who cannot handle the Chinese woman’s steady play.

1437: Cracking start for Li Na, already two breaks up against Cibulkova, 3-0 the lead.

1401: Dominka Cibulova against Li Na is the second women’s quarter-final and it will take place shortly on Supertennis Arena. Cibulkova of course did not play yesterday as she was handed a walkover with Victoria Azarenka pulling out. Li Na has had a quite effective week so far, not dropping a set. The Chinese woman has also won both previous meetings between the pair.

1240: Oh dear. Poor Pennetta has decided the wrist is too much of a problem and retires with Serena serving at 4-0. Such a disappointment for the home fans. Serena will play Cibulkova or Li Na in tomorrow’s semi-final.

1238: A lengthy stoppage, a bit of magic spray and a bandage on her wrist, but Pennetta continues. Despite a competitive game, Serena is too strong and breaks again to lead 4-0.

1228: Not looking good at all for Pennetta, who is having treatment on her right wrist trailing Serena 3-0.

1222: Not the start the home crowd wanted. Serena has broken Pennetta’s serve at the first time of asking to take a 2-0 lead. Serena also has a 2-0 lead in the head-to-head last winning at the 2009 US Open quarter-final stage.

1202: Good morning/afternoon/evening and welcome to quarter-final day of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. We have Pennetta v Serena about to start. Then it’s Cibulkova v Li Na, Venus v Sharapova and Kerber v Kvitova. I’m going for Serena in three, Li Na in two, Sharapova in three and Kerber in three. What do you reckon? Tweet me with your predictions @ianbakersport.

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