Update: Indian Wells - Quarter & Semi Finals

Hi everyone,

There have been some surprising matches in the quarter finals. First of all, Kerber managed to upset Na Li with 6-4, 6-2. She's been having a wonderful run for months now, so nobody can deny we have got another serious contender for the Grand slams on our hands!

Another match involved Azarenka simply crushing Radwanska with 6-0, 6-2. It would have been her first double bagel if she didn't break the number one in the last game (her reaction when finally getting a game: watch picture below). I was hoping for a more exciting clash but I certainly got what I was asking for in the match between Sharapova and Kirilenko. It looked really bad for the number two when facing 3-6 and a break deficit in the second set. However Kirilenko seemed to crack under the pressure and let the match slip: 6-3, 5-7, 2-6.

One of the most high quality sets of the tournament occured in the match between Ivanovic and Bartoli. Their first set was a battle of wills with a lot of good tennis. In the end Ivanovic managed to capture the break and the first set: 6-3. I thought the second set was going to be as nerve wrecking as the first, but Bartoli didn't look as fit and jumpy as she normally does. My guess: the stomach virus and I must say it's a real shame. Bartoli dropped an early break in the second set and lost in the end: 3-6, 4-6.

Next up are the semi finals!
I had high expectations for the match between Kerber and Azarenka. Unfortunately the German made too many mistakes and Azarenka took advantage. Score was: 4-6, 3-6. Still, I keep forgetting they're playing the number one, so actually this isn't such a bad score (thinking back she almost defeated Radwanska with a double bagel!)

I was particulary interested in the match between Sharapova and Ivanovic. The Serbian is definitely making her come-back splendidly but a hip injury meant she had to retire at 4-6, 0-1. Indian Wells is really turning out to be a tough struggle to reach the end with all the retirements.

Well, well, we're going to get another loud final with Azarenka against Sharapova. I should be getting used to this, they are number one and two after all. Very excited to see who is going to be victorious, stay tuned!