Wimbledon 2009 Women's Quarter-finals Preview

Dinara Safina vs. Sabine Lisicki

I have to be honest, I wasn't expecting Safina to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon after her performance at the finals of Roland Garros. To her credit, the World No.1 has hung in there in some really uncomfortable matches on a surface that really doesn't suit her game, to make it this far. Her performance against Amelie Mauresmo in the round of 16 was a good boost to the Russian as she had to come back in the match from a set down and subsequently breaks in the following sets.

Sabine Lisicki is a name nobody would have expected to see in the draw for the second week. Yet this talented upcoming German seems to have a natural game for grass. She has a tremendous serve, so far being out-aced only by Serena Williams. In addition she generates power of either side with her ground strokes. The confidence that she showed in defeating Kuznetsova and Wozniaki, two of the most in form seeds was ominous.

Dinara Safina might be no.1 in the world, and she has performed admirably. Nonetheless, Lisicki is on a roll, and after beating two much better players on grass, I think the German will be too strong for Safina who might still be recovering from a tight battle against Mauresmo.

Venus Williams vs. Agnieszka Radwanska

It is almost impossible to believe this, but Venus Williams is actually playing even better tennis at Wimbledon this year than when she won it last year. Known to struggle a bit in the early rounds, Venus has absolutely demolished her opponents so far. Her movement on the grass is peerless in the women's game, and the variety she is currently displaying in her game is simply top-notch.

Agnieszka Radwanska is a teenager with huge potential. In an age, where power seems to be the mantra in the women's game, Radwanska's finesse and strategic play is a refreshing sight. Couple in the fact that she is extremely comfortable at the net, and you have a tricky opponent.

Regardless of the trickery and subtlety of the young Polish girl, the mastery of Venus on this surface should prove too strong. This will arguably be the toughest match for Venus at this year's Wimbledon so far, yet she should progress in straight sets.

Francesca Schiavone vs. Elena Dementieva

Francesca Schiavone is another name that not many would have expected to see at this stage of the tournament. However, the wily Italian veteran certainly has the game that should see her at least in the top twenty. Schiavone is an expert at playing within her limitations, with stable ground strokes and a topspin forehand the basis of her game.

Elena Dementieva has made it this far quietly under the radar. After a promising start to the season, the diminutive Russian suffered a blip in form. However, with her serve coming on unusually well so far at Wimbledon, Dementieva has looked extremely comfortable and commanding in her performances.

Schiavone is a fighter, however the overall game of Dementieva should be too strong for the veteran. In addition Dementieva's experience at this stage of a grand slam, means she should be able to handle any uneasy passages of play that Schiavone throws at her.

Victoria Azarenka vs. Serena Williams

Alongwith Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka has laid down a marker as the new challengers to the top tier in women's tennis. The Belorussian has tremendous talent, and the confidence of her impressive season so far has elevated her game to top five level. Apart from an excellent challenge from a resurgent Nadia Petrova, Azarenka has looked at ease on the grass.

Serena Williams seems to be playing a consistent game of one-upmanship against her sibling. She has been almost as dominant as her sister, and her dismantling of Daniela Hantuchova, who has previously troubled Serena was as comprehensive a performance as one can expect from the two-time champ.

Azarenka will be a grand slam champion for sure. However, her time is not now. Similar to Venus, this will be Serena's toughest test. Similarly, she will come through it, as the Williams sisters move smoothly towards another final showdown