Advertisement

Sharapova, Azarenka close on noisy final

Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka will ratchet up the decibel levels later on Thursday when two of the loudest women players on tour look to win their Wimbledon last-four encounters and set up a noisy final.

London: Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka will ratchet up the decibel levels later on Thursday when two of the loudest women players on tour look to win their Wimbledon last-four encounters and set up a noisy final.
Fourth seed Azarenka of Belarus, whose wailing during matches has upset the All England club, meets Czech Petra Kvitova in the first semi on Centre Court. Sharapova, the favourite as former champion despite being a seed lower than Azarenka, will grunt her way through against Sabine Lisicki knowing the German wildcard has already knocked out French Open champion Li Na and the fiery Marion Bartoli. The 2004 winner has not dropped a set all tournament, though, and it will take another Herculean effort from Lisicki to deny the Russian. Bureau Report