Serena Knocks Out Reigning Champ

Four-times Wimbledon champion Serena Williams has progressed to the 2012 semifinals after beating 2011 winner Petra Kvitova in straight sets on Tuesday.

The American number six seed knocked off the Czech fourth seed 6-3, 7-5 and will now face Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in the final four after she got past in-form Austrian Tamira Paszek.

Third seed Agnieszka Radwańska and eighth seed Angelique Kerber will face off in the other semifinal after they both progressed in three setters on Tuesday.

Kvitova told reporters: “It is very difficult (to beat her). I can’t say impossible. She’s human. That’s why she’s the great champion, because she knows what she needs to play in the important points. So I think that it’s really tough to beat her.”

On the men’s side, Andy Murray edged closer to a maiden Wimbledon final appearance after he defeated Marin Cilic 7–5, 6–2, 6–3 to reach the quarterfinals where he’ll face seventh seed David Ferrer.

Murray told reporters: “I’d rather not play him (Ferrer) on a clay court because it’s a surface that I’ve struggled against him on. But on the other surfaces I’ve played some good matches against him. Tough matches, but good. I’ve won against him a few times. Hopefully I can do the same tomorrow.”

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga progressed after getting past American Mardy Fish 4–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–4, 6–4 and will now take on German Philipp Kohlschreiber in the final eight.