Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Top seed Rafael Nadal crashed out to fellow Spaniard David Ferrer as the number seven seed outplayed Nadal in all areas of the court. Nadal looked sluggish and tired and Ferrer soon shot to a 6-4, 6-2 lead. He took the third set convincingly 6-3 to seal the win and left spectators, commentators and himself stunned by his performance.
Brit Andy Murray (5) played against Alexandr Dolgopolov. The unseeded Russian had defeated Tsonga (13) and Soderling (4) already in the competition so wasn’t to be underestimated. Murray’s attacking play paid off as he won the first two sets 7-5, 6-3. Dolgopolov fought back and took the third set on the tie-break but Murray won the fourth set 6-3 to take the match. He will now face Ferrer in the semi-finals and, although Dolgopolov is out, he is definitely one to watch in the future.
Roger Federer, seeded second, took on nineteenth seed Stanislas Wawrinka. Wawrinka knocked out Monfils (12) and Roddick (8) in the two previous rounds but could not take a set from the defending champion. Federer triumphed 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 to gain a well-deserved place in the semi-finals.
Third seed Novak Djokovic faced Tomas Berdych (6) in his quarter-final, with both players knowing a win would set up a semi-final against Federer. Djokovic dominated the first set, winning it easily 6-1, but the second set was much closer and went to a tie-breaker, which Djokovic won. Two sets to the good, Djokovic won the last set 6-1 to book his place in the next round.
In the women’s quarter-finals, top seed Caroline Wozniacki defeated Francesca Schiavone (6), despite losing the first set 3-6. She turned the match around and took the two remaining sets 6-3, 6-3 to progress to the next round.
Na Li (9) continued her good form with a straight sets win over Andrea Petkovic (30) and will play Wozniacki next. Petkovic knocked out Venus Williams (4) in the third round but couldn’t emulate this success in the quarters. Li will take on Wozniacki and with both players playing well, it should be a close match.
Second seed Vera Zvonareva overcame twenty-fifth seed Petra Kvitova 6-4, 6-2 to claim her place in the semi-finals.
Kim Clijsters (3) ensured all three top seeds made it through to the last four with her win over Agnieszka Radwanska (12). Clijsters won the first set easily 6-3 but the second set was much closer, going to tie-breaker. Clijsters came out victorious and now faces Zvonareva in the semi-finals.
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