Lisicki becomes first player to reach semis

There was no hangover for Sabine Lisicki today as the German followed up her shock win against Serena Williams by reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals at the expense of Kaia Kanepi.

The world number 24 yesterday produced arguably the greatest shock of a remarkable fortnight at the All England Club, ending defending champion Williams' 34-match winning streak.

Lisicki had been priced by several bookmakers as a 10/1 long shot to beat the American, but that win saw her become favourite for the title.

The grass-court specialist lived up to that billing today, showing no signs of fatigue as she won her quarter-final clash with Laura Robson's conqueror Kanepi 6-3 6-3 on Court One.

Lisicki needed just over an hour to secure a place in her second Wimbledon semi-final, where she was waiting the winner of the match between Agnieszka Radwanska and Li Na.

"I had to make sure I came down quick enough to be ready for today," Lisicki said.

"With the experience that I have from the last three times I played here in the quarters, I think it helped me a lot.

"It is so nice [to be back in the semi-finals]. I did it two years ago, played very well, and now I felt even more ready for this match and yesterday I had a great challenge on the way to the semis. I think it made me ready for the semis.

"There is no pressure because for me it is still a game that I love so much. I want to keep it that way.

"I am going out there for every single match trying to win and we will see what happens."

Court One was only half-full when the last-eight clash got under way on an overcast afternoon in SW19, with Lisicki quickest out of the blocks.

An aggressive baseline player, she broke serve immediately after Kanepi failed to convert several game points.

Lisicki was holding serve with impressive ease compared to the Estonian, who was struggling to keep her big-hitting opponent at bay.

Kanepi had a chance to get back in the set in game six, only to waste a 30-15 lead as the German fought back for 4-2.

It was a missed opportunity she was made to rue as Lisicki broke serve again to wrap up the first set 6-3 in 33 minutes.

There was no let-up, with the German showing why she is second only to Williams in terms of aces this year as she smashed home another clean service winner to take the first game of the second set.

Kanepi showed impressive determination to hold serve and then had three break points on the Lisicki serve, eventually converting to briefly change the outlook of the match.

However, Lisicki was not unsettled and immediately came back as a double fault saw Kanepi broken again.

The Estonian, who knocked out British hopefuls Tara Moore and Robson en route to the last eight, was made to pay for errors as she failed to cope with Lisicki's movement.

It led to the German breaking again in the sixth game, putting her on course for the final four.

Kanepi attempted to claw her way back but it was too late, with Lisicki closing the match out in one hour and three minutes.

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