Sabine Lisicki's Dream Run Continues

Sabine Lisicki's dream run at Wimbledon continued yesterday as she battled past Marion Bartoli to book her spot in the final four.

Heavy rain and thunder may have stopped play everywhere else around SW19 the first of the women's quarter final matches continued under the protection of the roof.

The German player has been struggling with an ankle injury over the last twelve months but looked to be back to her best - but she needed three sets to see off Bartoli.

The two women traded breaks in the opening two games of the match for 1-1 before Lisicki broke for the second time in game three.

Bartoli, who had put out Serena Williams the day before, could get the set back on level terms and that break proved to be decisive as Lisicki took it 6-4.

Lisicki had the chance to serve out the match at 5-4 in the second set but her nerve deserted her as Bartoli broke back to level at 5-5.

A tie break was needed in that second set and it was here were Bartoli made her move as she took it to level.

But the Frenchwoman's energy disappeared at the beginning of the set - the effort she put in against Williams the day before starting to show - as Lisicki got an early break.

3-0 up and Lisicki was in the driving seat and she cruised to the third set and the match 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-1.

Speaking to the BBC Lisicki said: "I'm speechless, I cannot believe it yet. I was very disappointed with myself at 5-4 in the second set when I missed easily - I should have just gone for it.

"But I felt I was the better player today and knew I had to focus and fight again in the third set to win it."

Lisicki is the first German player to reach the Wimbledon semi-final since Steffi Graf in 1999 - she will now face former champion Maria Sharapova for a place in the final.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw