Switzerland»s Roger Federer gestures during his fourth round men»s singles match against Belgium»s Xavier Malisse on day seven of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 2, 2012.
Maria Sharapova has had better days, Roger Federer more mobile ones and local sun-hat sellers more profitable ones as Wimbledon’s manic turned into a bit of a damp squib after several days of nerve-shredding drama.
Beaten comfortably by Germany’s Sabine Lisicki, top seed Sharapova’s dream of a French Open/Wimbledon double ended in tatters under miserable grey skies and her world No.1 ranking looks almost certain to follow.
At least Federer is still standing, although for a while against erratic Belgian Xavier Malisse that seemed an effort in itself for the six-times champion.
Struggling with a bad back in chilly conditions on Centre Court, the king of cool needed two undignified injury time-outs during a 7-6 6-1 4-6 6-3 victory that continued his remarkable run of grand slam quarter-final appearances.
He remained on course for a semi-final against defending champion Novak Djokovic who thrashed fellow Serb Viktor Troicki 6-3 6-1 6-3.
The pigeons were again looking nervously about after the safe return of Rufus, the club’s harrier hawk employed to scare them away who was stolen last week.
Feathers fluttering down from the Centre Court roof during second seed Victoria Azarenka’s 6-1 6-0 win over Ana Ivanovic may have been proof that Rufus, who resumes work on Tuesday, had been missed.
While the women’s quarter-final line-up is complete, five men’s fourth-round matches were unfinished due to persistent rain in south west London.
Home favourite Andy Murray must try to finish off Marin Cilic on Tuesday after taking a one-set lead and fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will resume a set down against Mardy Fish.
Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova also beat the rain to set up a juicy last-eight clash in the women’s singles.
Williams, seeking a fifth Wimbledon singles title to equal the total of her sister Venus, scrambled through to the quarter-finals for the 10th time with a 6-1 2-6 7-5 win over powerful Kazakh Yaroslava Shvedova.
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