STANFORD (USA): Serena Williams has still not kicked post-Wimbledon jet lag, but she still managed to beat Chanelle Scheepers 6-4 6-0 in the quarter-finals of the Stanford Classic on Friday.
Second seed Mario Bartoli and third seed Dominika Cibulkova, however, did not fare as well with France’s Bartoli beaten by Yanina Wickmayer 6-3 6-2, while Romania’s Sorana Cirstea beat Slovakia’s Cibulkova 6-7 6-2 6-0.
Williams, who won her fifth Wimbledon singles title last week, arrived in Northern California on Monday and had been unable to get a good’s night sleep.
She woke up at 1am on Friday and stayed awake for five hours watching the final season of the television show Desperate Housewives.
“I was hoping to fall back asleep but I didn’t,” Williams said. “I was crying as always. I love that show. I was wide wake as if I was in Europe still.”
Men’s results
Former Chennai Open champion Marin Cilic reached the semifinals of the Croatia Open, his home event, with a straight sets victory over Wayne Odesnik. Fernando Verdasco also played well in his match to reach the last four in two sets.
Janko Tipsarevic had a tough match to reach the Stuttgart Open semis, facing tough resistance from Bjorn Phau. The Serb won 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. (Agencies)
