Women's Quarter-Finals, Part 2 Wimbledon

The quarterfinals at Wimbledon. Only eight women left standing. When some

of the greats of tennis are tested by pretenders to their crown. She is

very hungry, very keen, very confident young lady. At 16, when I

walked out to play Billie-Jean King, I was dealing with an interesting

situation. Lee Jean King was my idol. Any time you're playing in a

major, in a quarterfinals and you're playing against somebody do admire,

that you respect, there are going to be extra nerves and I think a little

more pressure as well. This is the reason why we practice the 15, 20

years, to get an opportunity like this, to play in the quarterfinals

of a major. This is extra special because it's Wimbledon.

When it comes down to it, it's just a tennis court. The same dimensions

as any tennis court you have ever played on. There is only one ball.

It doesn't matter who the player is on the other side of the net. If you

got this far, you must be pretty good.

As Tracy proved back in 1979, this can be a make or break they! Eight

women remain but after a tournament of shock exit, it's not quite the

matchup we expect it. Some familiar names are there but the new stars

have emerged. Who will have the passion and intensity to go forward?

We are about to find out. Ladies quarterfinals day is not a new

experience for the Williams sisters, Serena is 34 and Venus is 36,

incredible to think it was 16 years ago that they both appeared in the

quarterfinals here. 128 lady started the tournament, now just eight

remain. -- ladies. Let's take a look at the match-ups.

Once again, she is the headline act. Venus Williams is back in the big

time, can she reached her first Wimbledon semifinal since 2009?

Shvedova is looking to upset the odds. Angelique Kerber has been in

cruise control until the quotas, she will expect a much tougher test from

former semifinalist Simona Halep. That's what we're looking forward to

and on court, first up, it is Halep against Kerber, we will be going

there shortly. On Court Number One, Venus Williams

has started,. The number one seeds in the men's doubles complete the

line-up there. The players have been out on the practice courts, Serena

Williams is not just the defending champion, she is a six time champion

here and knows all about raising her game in the second week when it

matters. And this is Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who has finally

found out that grass is sued her game! She's a big hitter. How will

she fare today? Looking forward to the quarterfinals, doesn't that look

lovely? Bathed in sunshine! Was last? -- will that last? Yes it

should, if you are in the sunshine, it feels lovely and warm but we do

have a bit of a north-westerly breeze. When the cloud comes over,

does feel cool about our maximum temperature, 21 Celsius, even into

the evening, it should stay dry with some sunny spells and by then,

temperatures round about 20. Tomorrow morning, it should dominate

ride at chilly note, the cloud bubbling up through the day so by

the afternoon, sunny spells but feeling rather pleasant. For the

rest of the week as we head into Thursday, more of a chance of having

bright spells rather than sunny spells and just the risk of a

shower. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, back in the sunshine and showers but

we could have temperatures by then into the mid-20s so compared to last

week, this brilliant. It is more than brilliant! It's fabulous. Great

news for everyone coming to watch. This much we will be joining shortly

on BBC Two, Venus Williams against Shvedova incredible that in ten

years on the tour, they have never met before. It is on serve in that

match. One match was from yesterday and it finished at 9:23pm last night

in the dark. Thomas Berdych has finished it off. He broke twice to

put out the silly, one of the oven coming players from the Czech

Republic. -- one of the up-and-coming players. And on court

17, Jamie Murray and Bruno Suarez, this is a five set doubles match,

they have won it. They have one in five sets, that took over five

hours! That is only a third-round match. Querry out on Court 17. --

jewellery out on Court 17. The family are totally enjoying it and

Jamie is the world number one in doubles, what a story they are, the

Murrays. On Centre Court, Angelique Kerber, just a few moments ago, with

set point on the Halep serve. No player wants to end a set and a

double fault but that is what has happened, so Halep has taken the

opening set. And that's where we're going now. They are in the first

game of the second set. Simona Halep has had an early break

point on the Kerber serve in this second set.

But Kerber has an ace which wins the opening game, Halep looks

distraught. She made a real determined effort to make a

statement and win the opening game of September, is set she has to win

to stay in Wimbledon. She is using her back and up the line more

effectively. -- backhand. She changed her tactics in that last

game, tried to be a bit more offensive, she wasn't able to break.

They haven't been many holes of serve in this match.

The server is not of heaven for either player. -- the server is not

a weapon. I think that Halep may have had it

covered. Kerber just plug the return back in. She didn't take her chances

with the return, that allowed Halep to come into the net.

Halep may get another hold here! She has not had many. Just the one so

far. That serve was so important to

Kerber. Sugar is predominantly to the backhand, if she can mix in a

few more points, beforehand. It's important to have the variety

of the serve because Halep immediately starts moving to her

left, able to get a good hit on her backhand return.

Just a few more errors creeping in from both sides, we haven't had one

of those brilliant rallies for a little while now. Quite a cluster of

them early on in this match. Halep had control of that rally the

entire time, and wasn't able to put away that short, easy forehand.

Asset lead already and 2-1 in the second, going with serve, Angelique

Kerber at the moment looks like she's going towards the final four

here at Wimbledon. Of course, she comes here for the first time as a

Grand Slam champion. You can kind of see it appeared, you can feel it a

bit more, what does that do to you when you win a major title for the

first time? It gives you a tremendous amount of confidence,

much more belief in yourself. A major is the toughest test we have

in our sport, over 14 days, to win seven matches, it's everyone's dream

growing up and for Kerber it was a tree control in Australia in

January. Didn't play particularly well at the French, for the first

time being able to say Grand Slam champion, but much more confidence

here, much more belief in herself, her game, in these big matches. And

that could be very useful as well, having that relatively recent win

over Serena Williams up her sleeve as well.

We had a run of first-time crumb slam champions as well. -- Grand

Slam champions. A few more returns aren't finding

the court in this second set. She tried to desperately, didn't

she, Kerber, to finish Halep! Time and time again. She made it more

difficult by not moving forward, taking the volley, played the

hardest forehand of the rally. There is Darren Cahill, the former

coach of Hewitt and Agassi, taking care of Halep.

That time Kerber stepped into the court. She was able to make contact

much earlier than she has for the majority of her returns, gets her

first return winner. Halep is shaky right now with her

second serve. An absolutely vital service game,

this, for Simona Halep. It is gone wild, what a mess! --

Margaret has gone wide! Sometimes intense and tight matches, we look

for potential turning point, I wonder if that could come back to

haunt Angelique Kerber? For the game to get herself out of,

Halep. Kerber has made a mess of that folly. Simona Halep was far off

the court, trying to get back into it but no way she would have gotten

that, if it had gone anywhere in the court.

You have to hand it to Kerber! She knows at times she's playing against

a brick wall. These two, their baseline exchanges, have been

amazing. The amount of balls to get back into play, the Met of good

shots it has taken to win a point, high stuff.

After all the breaks in serve in the first set, we are on serve in the

second set, almost miraculously. Halep scrambling at the back of the

court, quite exceptionally, and Kerber reading all the power to

break down. An impressive hold after not breaking serve, these two are

covering an awful lot of distance out there. The movement, the

retrieving skills of both. Halep having to run just a little bit

more. Of course what is interesting there

is a about having to run an awful lot more against the much better

opponent today than they have done in the tournament so far.

Halep you would say has probably had the hardest run to the

quarterfinals, the three setter against Madison Keys. Three of the

four matches for Kerber were just about an hour. Just the one match in

the third round, an hour and 40 minutes. Including Robson in round

one. That one is going to hurt, Halep

running through the forehand to get a bit more pace and in real trouble

now. She is playing wonderfully! And

Angelique Kerber takes a 4-2 lead in the second.

Including an extraordinary skimmer of a backhand there. Like she is

throwing perfect pebbles into the ocean.

Halep is going to have to, puts special in order to get back into

this match. She is back in it again! Setting up

that break point with that wonderful return. Halep having to reach behind

her. It really is a fascinating match,

Lindsay. Just when you think there might be some space on the

scoreboard, Halep is able to raise the level of her game. She is trying

to keep herself camp unstable emotionally, Halep. Is she right to

keep her foot pressed down on the pedal. She has treated us to our

wonderful array of winning shots, but in a situation like this with a

lead, the second set? Do you just keep hammering that or do you pull

back a little bit? On this surface more than any other surface, you

have to keep going for to get the win. You do not worry about your own

opponent or where you put your shots, you do not want to get

predictable either. In that last game Kerber was a bit more

predictable with her shots and Halep took advantage.

It is just wide from Halep. She is going to challenge in frustration,

but these recovery shots from Kerber. Definitely wide. UMPIRE:

Miss Halep has two challenges remaining.

She let her get away with her second serve. Kerber made contact behind

the baseline, she was not willing to step up and take that return early.

Halep will be breathing a sigh of relief.

Oh, both players covering every blade of grass. So fast, so

determined. It is a great lesson to young players. Just never give up on

these wide balls. Kerber and again. This time it is

for a 5-3 lead. This time it means she is serving for the match.

It was the perfect served by Kerber and she set herself up with the easy

forehand. What a recovery after the first

point and so much court covered. She has not hit many volleys in this

match and then she hits an absolutely perfect one.

Again Halep on the stretch in the defensive position going for the

harder recovery shot. Again it is working for her.

So much to admire about the way Simona Halep is digging in here.

Doughty Djokovic are defending beyond the baseline. And it is hard

for Kerber to content with. It must be so frustrating. You had a big

game and you were able to dictate with the way you went around your

tennis. When you are playing against somebody who is getting those balls

back and potentially everyone is a winner. You are having to play over

and over again and it gets mentally draining as well. We saw her

refusing to miss getting all these balls back into play. I feel Halep

is on the edge of possibly turning this one around if she is able to

hold serve. The German champion from 1991.

Steffi Graf famously dominated for Germany on these courts. Kerber is

one of eight Germans inside the world's top 100. Sabine Lisicki is

one of them, and the German women have had a decent record here over

the years. That is the perfect point that you

are talking about. She was resetting the rally. Now a few more errors are

coming off the racket of Kerber. UMPIRE: Ms Kerber has challenged the

call on the far right. The call was out. Replay the point. It is a

matter of millimetres. Right. Write now. Heart will be

pounding inside these two players now. That is impressive by Halep.

She plays her best tennis of the day when her back is against the wall.

Errors are starting to creep into the game of Kerber. Halep is

covering the court so well. It is very hard to surprise Halep as

well and off-guard. It only just crept over from Kerber.

Just the perfect backhand slice. She was trying to hit a low, short

slice. On grass that shops does not bounce up.

Just on the line from Kerber. Halep pretty much buffeted against the

backboards by the weight of the shots. For the second time Halep

will have to cut out to serve to stay in the match. Kerber put the

previous two games behind her. Nice positive energy from Kerber after

this game. A fist pump after she held serve up to her camp.

You just send some real nervousness around this court, Lindsay. Do you

feel it? Everyone is too scared to take sides almost as if they will do

something to them if they set count on one side or the other. So much

respect for both of these two. Absolutely. More than anything they

have just sat in admiration at some of the defensive work. A theatrical

feel inside the greatest tennis theatre in the world. This building

from the 1920s modernised for the current day. Halep is serving to

stay in the match at 5-6. There was so little court to get

this path by Kerber in and Halep managed to find it.

Well, is extraordinary from Halep under such intense pressure. So

close to defeat. She has done it again! How I have no

idea. But what is clear is we are going to have a tie-break to decide

this second set. What a hold of serve from Simona Halep. She hit

incredible winners. Oh! I really like the decisiveness.

She read that drop shot. She got off to such a quick start, to move

forward, and anticipated that forehand volley.

She put it away like she firmly intends to win this match.

But while Kerber has still got her flashing forehand there is no

certainty about that. Just a little more pace off her

shots now for Kerber. Mentally both these players have risen to the

challenge in the second set. She has barely giving away a thing.

That is why she is so frustrated. Two gifts in a row.

So many returns have gone back into play to get big points from Kerber.

Oh! She worked so, so hard to get herself back into the set, Simona

Halep. Just from nowhere she has started missing. Four balls out of

court, two wide, two into the net, in a row from 1-1 in the tie-break.

Kerber is two points away from victory.

Two service points to come for the German.

Oh, goodness me. On potentially the penultimate point of the match to

get such a net cord as that. Sometimes life is not fair. But

Kerber has played me diffidently and she has got four match points. --

magnificently. UMPIRE: Game, set and match, Ms

Kerber. Well, her world changed when she won

the Australian Open at the start of the year, her first Grand Slam

title. Is there a chance that here on the lawns of Wimbledon she could

go on to win another? That was some display from Angelique Kerber. Still

has not dropped a set. Looks so confident and most importantly

comfortable. For Simona Halep it was a great day and tell that tie-break.

She played so well to stay in that second set. It was a shame in the

end there were two unforced errors at her biggest moment. UMPIRE:

Ladies and gentlemen, if you leave your seat, please take all your

belongings with you. If not, it will be removed. Three times she has lost

to the eventual runner-up at Wimbledon. Eugenie Bouchard, Garbine

Muguruza, who lost the final. But she will not be thinking about that,

she will be thinking about going all the way. The number four player in

the world who still is in with a chance of being world number one

next week. Serena Williams has to lose today for that to still be a

possibility. But Kerber really was the player on the front foot for

that match. She had to defend herself, of course, at times.

Desperate defending, wide of the court and deep into the corners, but

with that ability to turn defence into attack so effectively. It was

really getting ten dip into that second set. But then almost

inexplicably the Simona Halep game disintegrated in the tie-break.

That's unfortunate net cord as well on what turned out to be the

penultimate point of the match and Kerber is into the semifinals.

Congratulations, such high-quality tennis, but an unusual match with so

many breaks of serve. Nine in the first set. Is that what happens when

the stakes are so high? I think we both played a good match at a high

level and we are both very good hitters and players. The match was

really hard and I am happy I won it because it was close. Simone is a

great player, she moves so well. I won the last point and that is what

counts. You are the only player who is yet to drop a set, how important

is that to you? What does it say about your game? Actually, I am

feeling really good and focusing on my game and feeling aggressive and

everyday here and I am so happy to be in the semis. You are through to

the semis for the first time since 2012. Are you playing your best on

grass? I think I have had a great year so far with the Australian Open

title and right now I am feeling so good I think I am playing my best

tennis right now and I hope I can play a few more matches here.

Congratulations. SUE BARKER: She certainly looks to be playing her

best tennis, a wonderful performance from Angelique Kerber, the

Australian Open champion. Still yet to drop a set. She is through to the

last four. She had a dip in form after the Australian Open, but she

is back to my best here. We will see how once again on Thursday. The

Centre Court crowd rises to Angelique Kerber. A wonderful match

to start. Over on Court Number One it was a tie-break that decided the

first set over there. Jaroslav washer

Yaroslava Shvedova was up in the first set, but Venus Williams is now

set up. That match is live over on BBC Two. And we are on Centre Court

and Serena Williams is due on in a moment. Lindsay, you were watching

that match. Pretty special from Kerber. It really was and this is a

player who has never played her best tennis at Wimbledon and all of a

sudden she is in the semifinal and she looks more comfortable and

confident on the Centre Court. Her movement was on display today. She

got so many balls back into play. She really frustrated Halep who,

unfortunately, at the end of the match she just went away in the

tie-break. But a special performance from Kerber. John, she is a

defensive player, but can attack as well. She takes the ball early and

uses her speeds to advantage. Winning the Australian Open gives

her the confidence and belief she can go all the way. It looked like

she would win pretty routinely at 5-3. Credit to Halep to bounce back.

It was disappointing that in the tie-break not a whole lot work for

her. I think Kerber was getting a little bit tight trying to finish it

off. It is interesting to see two ladies or guys who are neither big

servers and they cannot blow each other off the court and it is

interesting to see. It was great tennis. That will definitely go on

the highlights later tonight and the athleticism they showed will stop

extending rallies, we had two of the best athletes. Not the most

powerful, but two of the best movers and physical players. It was fun to

watch. It is fair that the return is more

important than it has ever been. That isn't only a chronic issue in

the women's, it is really where the lady winner courtesy next is so

separated from the rest of the field because her serve as the greatest

weapon in the history of the women's game. I got this feeling that she is

going to read it up, the conditions are starting to heat up a little

bit, the ball is going to move through the air quicker, that's not

good news for Pavlyuchenkova! She is someone who I watched about six or

seven years ago that thought for sure she would be a top ten player.

I have read about her talking about issues with being dedicated enough,

we saw Nick Douglas, a lot of players out there are fit enough,

consistent enough, and fortunately her opponent was a recipient of the

increased intensity and dedication, it will be nice to see if she's able

to at least not be and give Serena a real match. Let's hear from her, she

reached to grand slam quarterfinals and seems to be back to her best.

He had a really strong 2011, he got into the quarterfinals of the French

and the US what happened since then? -- you had. I was very young, I was

19, 20, and I thought, OK, it's all done now, everything is going to

come easy. And I stop really working hard and started changing coaches,

changing my team, and not really staying focused enough and

consistent of court and on court, and I think that was the result and

the Mrs is really changing in the last couple of years and now it's

very physical, a lot of athleticism, you have to stay tough and

consistent and work hard. A lot of people forget you guys are really

growing up in the limelight, you had such a strong junior career, and

then moved up, there is a lot of pressure that goes with that sort of

responsibility? Definitely. Sometimes I was thinking before, I

wish I wasn't another one ingenious, because so much expectations from

the and my team, from my family, from everyone, saying she is number

one winning everything and then she will be top ten in a couple of years

then there was a bit elemental break down as well, I wasn't enjoying

plain tennis anymore, 2012 and 2013 I was struggling. It has been your

best Wimbledon, what would you put that down to? I think it would be my

heart, consistent work, since I started with a new team, a new

coach, working hard, I am happy to see that starting to pay off.

How honest was she in that? Didn't want to be World War I in the

juniors? That was so insightful. You get a sense of how much pressure

this generation feels, she was winning everything in the juniors,

everyone excited a seamless transition to the press Mac and it

didn't happen for her, she had a lot of ups and downs, she is working to

get back in shape now, and earlier, he -- she hired a new coach, who

knows how hard the place -- plays at the top work, and he has helped to

become a better player. Getting to the top sometimes is quite easy,

staying there is immensely difficult! I am not sure how easy it

is to get to the top! You have no fear that when you get to the top

thing you do. It's fair to say, you are looking over your shoulder,

there's only one place to go when you make it that high. The gap

between the juniors and the press Mac is huge, I am happy to say she

got her act together, I was one of the people who thought she would be

in the top ten, I did notice she hit 13, says she has had some results.

The fact they have changed the grass here has helped so many players

because he is an example of a player, Cibulkova, another one, I

can't play on grass, but she is still in it and someone like

properly changeover, before she didn't want to be underscored, now

she loves it. Serena knows all about this day, it is a welcome back to

the quarterfinals for Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, here they come.

Serena Williams, back on Centre Court, she had to play on Sunday as

well. Let's see how she has got through to the quarterfinals.

Number one player in the world, against a woman in the match of her

life. I never underestimate anyone, it was a really good match.

It was definitely tough but I always expect the best. Mum was in the

Royal box, that was really nice. It was a really good match. She played

great, she always plays great against me, it takes a lot to break

me mentally and I knew being a break down in the third that I was going

to have to put my mind in it and I did.

I was really focused and calm. Did you know that was your 300 grand

slam when? I had no idea! That is awesome. It is good to win, she has

played really well in the past, she beat me earlier this year so I knew

I had to play really well to The certainly been an interesting

journey, she had to dig deep against Christina McHale. She's from New

Jersey, she has a great ball, I was happy to see her play the match of

her life, she really makes Serena work. I think the stress she endured

last year was tough for any human being, I thought she handled it

exceptionally well, it was great for the game. There was a lot of talk

about her being a couple of notches from the grand slam last year and I

think for her, she loves make this happen. She has been through recent

tough times, she's still there, still was in the semis, finals of

the French, the writing is on the wall for somebody big hair, I would

be surprised if she lost the Australian. There are still some

tennis to be played. We talked about Michale but against Kuznetsova, it

was a story of two halves, in the first half, then she comes out under

the roof and it's a whole different Serena. The first ten games of the

match, and then the last eight games of the match, it was a completely

different Serena, the roof closed, Kuznetsova had no chance. This is

Serena mastering the server and the return. She took more chances

against Kuznetsova, hitting winners from all over, this will give her

confidence. She is so familiar with this court, her opponent, not so

much. It appeared early on she wasn't enjoying herself a lot out

there, you hate to see that with someone who has accomplished so

much, it seems counterintuitive, that she can't be loving this, it

won't be much longer that she is doing it but now it feels like she's

possibly starting to relax. And in the defect she is starting to do

something historic and amazing. It'll be great for tennis if she

ties the record of Steffi Graf. Still the passion is there, you

almost feel the pressure that's on her, even now. You can always tell

how Serena is feeling on the court, but unlike Venus, you are never

quite sure, she's not emotional on the court. At times she has looked

stressed, unhappy on the court. A little anxious, the first few

rounds, it seems luxury has resettled down, she hasn't lost to

anybody in the top portion of the draw, and she's in the business end

of the tournament, her favourite court in the world, game translates

so well on this surface. I would be surprised if she wasn't able to get

a seventh Wimbledon. Pavin published changeover to play line-macro in the

final. Do we have an update on the Venus score? I think she is serving

for the match. Williams- Williams final? It was interesting, she went

off court and she said, talking to her coach, she said he is at a

calming influence and he calmed down until so she is better when she is

calm. Why do you look at me that way? The other thing that might

happen impactful was that the Kuznetsova second serve doesn't have

a lot in it, you should rattle it and go after it and that which

becomes even more dangerous and gets on her opponent's head, so I expect

her to be more aggressive. I don't know exactly what he says to her, I

see him in the Green room, he seems very suave and call and collected...

He has this whole entourage. Whatever he is saying, has been

working! If you look at the results since he has joined Serena

Williams... She has a lot to do that but somehow they are clicking rather

beautifully. Let's go over the code number one. -- Court Number One.

This is such a wonderful story, we talked about earlier in the

programme, with all the illness, the dip in the top ten and now the

backfile -- the fore. Everything that she has gone

through, from minor injuries, to her syndrome diagnosis, it has been a

battle for her through these last few years and everyone has a soft

spot for her and we want to see her be a factor again and this is why

she is still playing. I have got to go and do some work on BBC Two.

Thank you very much, we are all set for this one on Centre Court and

John is making his way to the commentary box to join Simon Reade.

Thank you, Sue. There is the head to head. Serena has dropped just one

set in the process. They have not met on grass, but convincing wins

since that Roland Garros match in Rome last year were Serena dropped

just four games. The Spanish umpire has the honour of taking over this

one. This is massive for Pavlyuchenkova.

She has underachieved for most of her career. She has worked so hard.

John, whenever Serena plays, it is up to Serena really. That is true.

That says something about her greatness. We were just talking

about her dictating the match and playing on her terms. If she is able

to do that consistently, it is hard to see her not winning this

tournament. Having said that, at her age she is probably figuring she

will be out here for a year, maybe a couple of years, and as you get

older you realise there is less opportunity and you get more

stressed. She has been tied with Steffi Graf for the last year. She

tried to win the Grand Slam. We saw what happened with Novak Djokovic,

it was extremely fatiguing. Still she puts herself in a position and

as badly as she has handled a couple of matches, she has been in the

semis of the opens, the finals in Australia, the finals in France. You

are talking about a level that is so exceptionally high that you look at

Pavlyuchenkova who has never been in this situation Wimbledon and you

feel for her at the moment, she will be feeling extreme anxiety, but also

excitement. Serena has not brought out her a game a whole lot. It is

easy to say go and enjoy yourself, no pressure, that that is another

thing to do it. The biggest difference to me is the

second serve, to dissipate Serena Williams is going to go after that.

Not seeing enough of them on the opening game, that must be a good

feeling. Massive match for her, biggest match on the Centre Court

and she has started well against the best player on the planet. She is to

make sure she gets coming early, that is smart play against Serena.

The first bomb from Williams, there are going to be a few more!

A surprisingly soft serve from Serena, not very well placed either.

Not as authoritative as she usually is that the NAT there. -- the net.

It is gusty out there today, little bit more difficult. Seems to be the

wind behind Serena Williams at the moment. Could be a factor in this

next service game for Pavlyuchenkova.

Could still be feeling some major nerves. Do you feel the wind in one

direction or does it swirl around? That depends. When I was out on

court was Milos Raonic, it was clearly in one side, I am guessing

it is behind Williams. This stadium, the way it's set up, will help both

players pick it easier to deal with. It was hopeful waste from

Pavlyuchenkova. That is a classic case, make an opponent hit an extra

ball, it wasn't a point that Williams should have lost.

Set up by a brutal approach shot, beautiful.

Excellent. She is thinking clearly and executing. She has played

doubles so she has worked on the top of shots. The children these type.

She doesn't want to be a one trick pony out there, be predictable.

Helps your hands when you play more doubles, feel around the net.

She wants Serena Williams to be on the run in that account. It wasn't

even a great approach but still her off the court, put some pressure on

her. The return was almost as quick as

they serve. This is what happens, she turned the match when she played

Kuznetsova when she came back on court, she started attacking,

destroying her second serve as she did on that point.

It didn't to as quickly as she thought.

Remember she won eight games in a row to beat Kuznetsova. It gives an

opponent hope when they see even the great Serena Williams wound up

missing easy balls. You realise you're not the only one who feels

nervous out there. A beautiful day to be out there. After all the aggro

we had with the weather on the first week, great to have a day like this.

There is Henman Hill. Hello, Henman Hill! Man has arrived,

pretty happy with Venus safely through. Great to see Venus back in

the big time. She has been through so much, and handled it so well, her

difficulties of being in the shadow of her sister. Well deserved

congratulations to Venus Williams. She will have a semifinal against

Angelique Kerber. I see her play points but she has

here, this could be rather one-sided, she is dictating most of

the points. The reason she has lost a couple of games are really the

unforced errors. Halep against Kerber was a decent

scrap. She rose to the occasion and paper much of her life in Australia.

A fantastic shot. Patrick is her hitting partner. And there is her

mother and sister. Serena would have made things far

easier for herself had she moved forward. She switches grips and she

just float it. She should still have made that forehand.

Angelique Kerber made the Wimbledon semis four years ago.

Serena was after heard there. That was some return. What about that

shot? She is going to have her way here. That was an excellent return.

She put Pavlyuchenkova under immediate pressure.

That was a good first serve. It was 106 mph. She needed it then.

Five games and no break point. Pavlyuchenkova has never really

taken to grass. She lost the first round at Birmingham, the second

round at Eastbourne and when asked about it she said, to be honest I

have not been fit enough to play on grass. But after teaming up with her

fitness coach in April, the whole focus was on fitness, getting

stronger and moving faster. That has been something that has been an

issue for her throughout her career. This gentleman is not the first

person who has stressed the importance of being fit as a

professional tennis player with as much talent as she had coming out of

the juniors. In her interview she talked about the expectations and

the pressure being too much. I know when I get stressed I start eating

more. It is understandable, it is hard not to feel stressed when you

are out there when you are a kid. You are expected to act like an

adult. We all have our ways, I was not particularly good with dealing

with stress. Come on! It actually worked in a way despite the

appearance. In general it is harder for the younger players to break

through as early as they did in the past. I give her credit for getting

there. This could be a big turning point in her career. Williams is

playing tight right now. Half a dozen errors now from Serena.

We know Pavlyuchenkova has got another gear and so does Serena.

Well, she was not in a mood to mess around. Understandably so. She was

not quite sure to hit the forehand or the overhead. When it bounced

high enough she could hit the overhead.

That serve is the greatest shot in sport on the women's side. It is an

unbelievable weapon for her. UMPIRE: Miss Pavlyuchenkova is

challenging the call. The call was in. One of the great serve errors of

all time. And in times of stress it is great to be able to have that to

rely on. UMPIRE: Miss Pavlyuchenkova has two challenges remaining.

I have never seen a player comeback from the brink of defeat as often as

Serena Williams, whether it is set down on match point.

Still she really cannot assert her dominance. She is giving as good as

she is giving herself. Choice of shot? I liked the first

one, the second where she could have attacked the volley. It is the most

difficult shot that I have ever tried. You do not practice that very

often. Let's go hit some volley lob is over

somebody at the net! Nick Kyrgios might try that.

But Pavlyuchenkova is starting to hit the ball better.

It was too inviting in the end. Serena has hesitated at times here

early. Stress and nerves are part of that, but she is starting to get her

movement more comfortable and flowing forward. It will pay

dividends. Still no brakes. You talked about

stress early on and there was all this about the 22nd slam. Does that

manifested itself in between matches rather than during matches but Kumar

she is not thinking 22nd slam now? It is hard when it is something

people are talking about constantly. When her mother gives her a piece of

motherly advice, try to take your mind of the sport of tennis. Let's

face it, she is chasing history. This is about being the best player

in the history of the sport, no questions asked. There will be

others who will say, you have not got to Stephanie Graf yet. She is so

close. It would be bitterly disappointing. He has turned things

around for her, got her to be more focused and more consistently ready

and more fit to play more regularly. That is a partnership that has

worked really well. She understands the nuances, the

strategy, the position of the grass court. Obviously, she has played so

many matches on this Centre Court for starters.

I anticipate that very shortly she will take advantage of that

experience. The ball kicked up pretty high. The

court is firming up a bit. If I am playing Serena Williams, I

want her to hit kick serves, not coming in with a lots of pace. A

sliced serve into the body is more deadly than the kick.

Yes, and this mediocre year that she has had, 28 wins, four losses.

Anyone in the game would love that! The last that hit her was when she

did not win the slam in the semis. She did not play at all for three or

four months. She could not get over it.

As you expect right here she is going to ramp up the pressure. The

return set up that easy winner. You do not want to be hitting too many

77 mph service. Things have tightened up right here

for Pavlyuchenkova. I would try to hit a couple of servers like that

and make sure the first one comes in now. Easier said than done!

She had to go for it. Feeling stress and real pressure for the first

time. That is an example where maybe she does not understand the geometry

of the court. She found herself with less time than she wanted and she is

trouble now. A massive return. But it was

altogether a dominant game from Williams.

SUE BARKER: We will be back to see Serena served for this set in a

moment. On Court Number One Elena Vesnina has a break of serve against

her from Dominika Cibulkova. At the moment it is going the Russian's

way. She is a break of serve up. That match is on BBC Two. Back we go

to Centre Court. So, the dimensions of the match

change fundamentally in a couple of minutes. To me it felt like her

return destroyed the second serve. All of said on the score is four

all. She felt like she had to go to it a little bit too much. She has

not been out there before and experienced the magnitude of what

she has got a shot of doing. It would put herself in a whole new

league. We have talked about her being a potential top ten player and

this would do it. That was 120 miles an hour. The a

game is coming out. It is when you can keep something in your back

pocket. It will bring some smiles to the

Serena Williams camp. It is amazing that presents she has

got, the intimidation factor. UMPIRE: Game and first set to miss

Williams. When Williams teamed up with Patrick a few people raised

their eyebrows and thought, what is going on here? There was a

documentary a couple of minutes ago and in it Patrick was saying that

what he is amazed that is the life instinct that Serena has. When she

is close to dying she finds something incredible. We call it

also the killer instinct. She has got that in all types of different

ways. Players sent that. They believe she has got is absolutely

amazing. It is not just her serve. I call it the greatest weapon in

sports history, that might be followed by her will and her belief

in herself. I am talking about one of the great athletes we have ever

seen on a tennis court, one of the most powerful athletes you have ever

seen to pick up a tennis racket and these players feel that at the

bigger moments. Somehow she gets more calm as the other players get

more anxious, time and time again. She seems to have got more calm with

Patrick. The results are even better since they teamed up. You are right.

Why? I do not know if any of us will ever know the answer to that

question. But for whatever reason the timing has worked out

spectacularly. It is difficult now for

Pavlyuchenkova. Does she go for even more because she is feeling batted

around? Serena actually has not played that

great yet. It is her presence and her reputation in a way. It was her

serve that won her the first set. She has got another gear.

She needs to get a bit of luck, hit a few lines and get a few easy

points. Or some power. Her power is awesome.

Pavlyuchenkova should stick with it. Keep competing.

You absolutely source arena move across court and right here this was

a slick approach with some spin on it. She sees it coming.

At the moment she has got more time to operate. That is adding to this

young lady from Russia's stress level, which was pretty high to

begin with. That was called out. Immediately it

is challenged. Did you wished you had Hawk-Eye when

you were playing? I would say that phrase, you cannot be serious, that

you even ask it. Who would you have had to row with? Ilie Nastase, who I

learned a few tricks from, has something to say about officiating

and he would say, he called me macaroni. We would have found

somebody, started challenging ourselves. Pavlyuchenkova got away

with that game really. That was good from Pavlyuchenkova.

Towed to toe and she came out on top. She may be able to get

something going. She just needs a little bit of time to operate.

If she gets more aggressive of Serena's second serve, she has been

kicking more serves. She has been a little lucky twice.

Earlier on it hit the side of the line. Pavlyuchenkova was unlucky not

to win that point. Pretty comfortable hold. Well,

clearly point of Pavlyuchenkova's game plan is to bring Serena

Williams into the net with that rock shelter. -- with that rock shot. She

has got to pick the right time to pull that off, the surprise tactic.

But she has had the right approach. That first serve, taking a little

bit off, getting it up above 76%, that is high, that is good. Not

giving Serena Williams too many looks at a second serve.

Yeah, a little clenched fist, she is back on track.

There is a danger that she might have been hammered into submission

at the end of the first set, but she has come out strong at the start of

the second. You wonder if her coach can have the type of impact that

perhaps you would look at Magnus Norman, who was with Rob and so

dulling, and he was unable to continue playing and became

available, turned around Stan Wawrinka's career and made him a

great player. This young 25-year-old may be in the same position. You

mentioned the word underachiever earlier in the telecast, which might

apply to publishing -- Pavlyuchenkova. Now she seems more

committed to doing what it takes to reach her potential. Maria

Sharapova, who he had worked with over a number of years as a hitting

partner, after a drug suspension, he becomes available. He is playing the

best tennis of her life. The call was corrected. No

challenge. It was clearly in, no way that she was going to touch that.

That is a terrific forehand on the run.

Strong legs, beefy thighs, able to get a pop on that forehand and

backhand. Discouraging when you play a point like you just did, you turn

around, it is a great serve again. Jess Glynne, one of her songs is

Don't Be Too Hard On Yourself, Serena is sometimes guilty of that.

Noticed that she can't that ball off, angled forward, beautifully

done. -- she cut. Serena accents that second double.

-- accepts. Google sometimes these dresses are too short, you saw it

puzzling -- pushing it down between first and second serve. Another big

forehand from Pavlyuchenkova. Cannot do it.

Wow, a couple of doubles in the game.

A real physic, 118, timely. -- fizzer.

Same story, John! She is absolutely brilliant at mixing up the Serbs and

being unpredictable. That makes it even doubly difficult to be able to

break her serve. -- mixing up the serves.

It is the sheer pace of the shot, not surprising she called that a

little late. -- she caught. Correction! Replay the point. She

was on top of the rally after that. She was certainly in the winning

position. UMPIRE: Net, second service. Too

much for some! Hello! Is a listening to our commentary?

Try to compete here, stay ahead, for the first time maybe the pressure

will be on Serena Williams' shoulders if she can hang in there

for a couple more service games. Oh, yes, spectacular! And she is ahead

again. SUE BARKER: Still very competitive,

Pavlyuchenkova. Over on course number one, Helene Vesnina has taken

the first set from Dominika Cibulkova, and this is how she did

it. 6-2, it is all going her way now, maybe that long hard match with

Cibulkova, where she said it was the toughest she had ever played

physically, maybe that has taken its toll. She has got a long way to go,

that is over on BBC Two. Back we go to Centre Court.

COMMENTATOR: And it is commendable, from Pavlyuchenkova, to stay as

strong as she did in the second set. Losing the first, she could have

died fairly quickly, but it hasn't happened. We saw Murray and Kyrgios

playing closely, perhaps a similar game from Kyrgios than the one that

we saw Pavlyuchenkova lose, and here she is, she is battling hard,

putting in extra effort instead of less effort, that is what was so

disappointing with Kyrgios - a lot of it, I would say, had to do with

the quality of what Murray was throwing at him, as Serena is doing

now, but you have to give her credit for making this actually pretty

competitive match. Do not get discouraged when the ball

keeps going by you and serve. Nine for the match, 48 now for Serena

Williams in the tournament. 49! Just throwing in the old double now,

but it is the first serve that is having an extraordinary effect. As

you can see... She has cropped just four points on

her first serve. -- she has dropped. To me, there is a noticeable gap in

the quality of serve with what we have seen in the past. There was not

a whole lot on that serve, Pavlyuchenkova attacked it.

123 mph serve, should have finished it earlier. Great play from

Pavlyuchenkova. Unrewarded this time. Fastest serve of the

tournament tied right there. What a stretch! Just at the very

edge of the stretch, and they like it in there. Patrick likes to be

aggressive, and she was, she is so athletic. She got the racquet on it,

but look at her openly face, that was a shot she actually meant to

hit. -- open the face. High-quality match now.

APPLAUSE A sweet ball from Pavlyuchenkova

right now. She pulled up a little bit too early

there, got to stay down with that drop volley.

Tough shots to hit with new balls. Ball coming at you pretty quickly.

That is an easier shot to hit. Not much held back there, you could hear

the noise! That was right in her wheelhouse, not going to get away

with a whole lot of second serves like that.

You could see Serena really wanted to take that one on. Excellent serve

into the body, jammed her just enough.

She is ahead once again in the second set.

It is amazing, what has happened in this tournament, because there has

been no sign of it coming. 3/4-finals, Brisbane, St Petersburg,

Acapulco, their last five matches in a row. -- three quarterfinals. Then

it is lived. There is no rational reason to explain it. She battled

through conditions that were making life difficult for everyone, the

fans, particularly the players - a lot of wind and rain, a lot of

delays. It says a lot about her character and the player that she is

now that she is able to fight through this and finally be able to

play the type of tennis that we kept waiting to see, especially after

that early success five or six years ago when she had reached a couple of

quarters. Fortuitous that a new coach has arrived on the scene, and

she seems to have bought into the belief, understandably, that you

need to be supremely fit to compete at the highest level. She is moving

noticeably better than I have seen her for years. Any way to keep in

the shade, it is warm today. I heard that the temperature might get up to

2425, that would be a revelation. I'm not sure what it is right now.

-- 24 or 25. Only one in the entire match, Serena

Williams capitalised at 4-4, Pavlyuchenkova yet to have a chance

to break. She is about to be feeling the

pressure again, it is about to be 4-4, the position she was in the

first set when she lost serve. Serena looking at the umpire to see

if she thought it was out as she caught it, one eye on the ball, one

eye on him. A bit more breeze at the moment. Yeah, it makes it tougher to

serve, for sure, when it gets breezy.

Needs a bit of luck, sure got it in there!

Well, threatened there, but no break points, 4-4. He will be particularly

pleased that William, throughout the tournament, has stayed calm,

whatever the situation. She got into some trouble against Kristiina

Makela but stayed calm through it. She has been struggling with some

inner demons, trying to enjoy the experience a bit more. She might be

enjoying things a whole lot more after this game, step it up here.

That was a chance. So quiet on the court, you could

hear Pavlyuchenkova's heart beating. She needs to hang in here somehow,

extend this. She is facing break point for the

second time. Sure enough, lightning does strike

twice in the same place. I often talk to players and watch a

lot of matches, obviously, and players have become already is and,

not willing to move forward. It is understanding Dominic

understandable, but when you look at... That was a case of nerves,

somebody who may be gets, in a situation like this, someone who

gets much more anxious. If you get more aggressive and that player is

feeling tension, she is not able to hit her shots, or dare I say move

forward, make them hit eight other passing shot, you could see that

would be more difficult for her to do pretty much anything at this

stage. She did not even have to take a chance, Serena. 177 successive

weeks at number one, if she wins today, she will go number one in the

world again on Monday for yet another week. Otherwise, if she

loses, Kerber has to win the title to overtake her. Serena Williams

getting closer to tying Steffi Graf with her singles record.

Serena will love that, lightning shot. It was a lightning strike by

Serena in that volley which went wide, and that is why she is jumping

for joy, 30-0. Listen to that, the biggest come on

she has given, and that was quite restrained. Two match points for the

world's best. Skidded off the ground. No way of

getting that back. There is a couple of worn patches back there that did

not help. UMPIRE: Game, set, match, miss

Williams. Why not finish like that? 123mph ace, another super

performance. It seems that she is getting better and better.

Pavlyuchenkova fought gamely but in the end, two if the games and that

was enough. And Serena completely dominated. -- two iffy games. That

is the intimidation factor. Williams just did to Pavlyuchenkova what she

has done to many an opponent. She stepped up when she needed two and

served incredibly well. She was able to take away confidence from the

Russian, who had got to a Wimbledon quarter for the first time. She will

be liking what she is seeing because at the moment, she is going to play

another person who has never been in that position. Pavlyuchenkova,

hopefully we will see more of her because she has obtusely improved

and she has the credentials to do really well. No question. She has a

lot to be proud of. She is headed in the right direction and she

continues to dedicate herself, so there is no question in my mind that

she will have bigger results. It is a tall order to deal with Serena

Williams. A really tall order, especially on the Wimbledon Centre

Court. She looked utterly commanding in a couple of the Slams that she

has missed out on. Right now she looks the best player by a country

mile. I think Angelique Kerber has shown that she has the athletic

ability to stay with Serena on a hard court. It is not an

impossibility, given that she has done it so low as well. At the end

of January, whatever. Venus Williams, Serena Williams looks like

there is a real possibility that will happen. We never thought that

would happen, that they would play again in a finals of a Grand Slam.

What do you know? She looks pretty happy as she goes off. She has

finished every match she has played in really fine style. 6-0, the

second set against Annika Beck and year against Svetlana Kuznetsova.

And she finishes with a flourish here. Serena through to get another

semifinal. She is courtside now with Gary Richardson. Congratulations.

Your reaction on winning through to another semifinal? It is good. I am

excited to have been able to win that one and get through. It felt

really good. And as you were starting, your sister was just

finishing. How long before you knew she had won? I knew she was up

5-105- two, and then I saw on the court, they always show the score,

and so I was like, yes. And did that make you want to get through because

you knew you could meet in the final? One thing I have learned this

year is just to focus on the match. When you go home this evening, how

much will you talk about your respective matches to date? How much

do you talk about what he did at work today? We do not talk too much.

We are actually playing doubles later today so regardless, we are

just happy to be both in the semifinals. That is so cool. And

lastly, what a thing for your family if you both make it through to the

final. It would be great. Obviously she is such a tough opponent but I

want to win so bad, not in the final, if I am there, but if I am

not there, I desperately want her to win. Go off and play your doubles.

Thanks for calling in. SUE BARKER: They are busy family.

Heading to an outside court for that doubles match but Serena very much

at home on Centre Court once again. She has had a busy few days, laying

on Sunday as well. But she is just getting better and better and like

the great champions do, she raises her game when it matters. Serena is

through to the last four and the Centre Court crowd really

appreciating the performance. Let's get a brief reaction from John in

the commentary box. You were talking about it there, a great champion

raises their game when it matters. How do they do that? Well, I think

you have to sense the moment and seize the moment. The great players

do it more consistently and better. They are able to sense when it is

time to step up. They also sense when there opponent is more

vulnerable. Serena could tell that her opponent had tightened up and

she seized on that. The truth is that Serena has the second best

thing I have ever seen in the women's game, will and competitive

fire, her belief in herself. That just comes across. I am here in the

commentary box and I can feel it on the court. I know that her opponents

feel it big time. It is incredible, and Venus as well, 36 years of age,

and the illness she has had with her autoimmune disorder, she comes back

and she still has that passion and intensity to be out there and loving

it. Well, she is the greatest thing that ever happened to Serena

Williams, Venus Williams, a tremendous older sister. I would not

have been nearly as good if Patrick, my brother, had been that good. God

bless her for being able to do what she has been able to do, and people

sometimes forget that she has won Wimbledon five times and she is

almost an afterthought compared to Serena. I know in the female locker

rooms and in the men's locker room, a lot of people are calling for

Venus to somehow miraculously pull off one more. I thought they had

come and gone but she is right there with a shot. And maybe a final, some

people find it difficult to know who to pool for but I think that was

years ago and now we just appreciate two great champions going head to

head. I think you hit the nail on the head. Venus has been through so

much and at times you have wondered whether she could compete at the

level we were expecting. The fact that she is in the semis, she goes

in as an underdog against Angelique Kerber, but she certainly has a

shot. The illness and fatigue that she suffered from, it is the least

important major that she has to deal with, to be able to play at the

level she needs to play at physically, and she has a better

shot here than anywhere else. Mentally, this is where she excels

and is more comfortable. She says it is like coming home. And you very

much, John. So the quarterfinals, three of them have been completed.

Still want to go on Court Number One but let's remind you what happened

earlier on Centre Court. Angelique Kerber, serving at match point over

Simona Halep, the number four seed against the number five seed. During

the match, they played those long rallies but Kerber was the more

attacking and she took both sets, 7-5, 7-6. Angelique Kerber is

through to the semifinals at Wimbledon and she is the Australian

Open champion. The Centre Court crowd thoroughly enjoying that

match. So she is through to face Venus Williams and we were just

talking about her. She has been through a couple of tough 3-set

matches in the tournament so far, but she had no problems with

Yaroslava Shvedova. 7-6, 6-2 she goes through. So Venus Williams,

five-time champion, you will never see a bigger smile than that. She

thoroughly enjoyed her time on Court Number One. Back in the big-time,

Venus. And this is what is happening in the fourth match and it is

Dominika Cibulkova, really struggling up against Elena Vesnina.

Both of them have matches that went 9-7 yesterday. Cibulkova's was so

draining and it does not look like she has much in the tank today. 6-2,

4-1, Elena Vesnina in control. She will go through to face Serena

Williams with two more games. So we are going to take you to a Men's

Doubles match which was completed today. This is where they had to

start with Jamie Murray, the number one doubles player in the world, and

his partner Bruno Suarez, they are the Australian Open champions, and

they were up against Michael Venus and Matt Pavic. And we will join it

in the final set, 13-13. One of the biggest things that

Murray and Suarez have to their advantage is an excellent coach, who

will be around the venue somewhere watching. He is a master tactician.

He will have given them some good advice. There is no one better at

the net in that position than Jamie Murray in world doubles. And there

is their coach. Down the channel, shovelling inland

slightly. Bruno Suarez does not have the

biggest of service, standing five foot 11. But he has served

effectively and with his wing man at the net, he is quite a force.

As it is the 14-13 scoreline, they are committed the full sit down

allowance at the change of ends. If it was the first game of the set,

they would be forced to walk around. It is a floor of the rules. If they

have had a night off, they should really come back and go straight

round and carry on. You would think so but imagine if it went longer,

they would need those breasts. Almost five hours on Court. But

because it is a fresh day, you could argue that. They have had eight

hours of shuteye now and a five-minute warm up. Five points and

they are sitting down. But thankfully both are up and ready to

resume. Serving to stay in the match.

Pretty breezy out there. You can see from the players' shirts blowing

around. That was a chance for Soares. And he

knows it. And in a nutshell, this team here,

Mario Soares, 37 doubles titles to their name. -- Murray and Soares.

The other two not so long in the tooth, not so experienced and 23 and

27. A good start for Pavic and Venus.

These two have won four titles this year. Runners up in nice. Murray and

Soares, of course, backing the Australian Open. Grand Slam winners

at the top of the year. Right back to Jamie Murray's feet, a

good return. These two are ever dangerous in return because once

they gel together and they are free swimming and playing with abandon,

they are so dangerous. They are being a little more

adventurous on return, a bit less planned and more inspirational.

Pavic beating himself up for Billy after that mess. A very good second

serve from Jamie Murray. -- beating himself up audibly after

that miss. He has overcooked that one. The

eighth double fault from the payer. The tension is almost palpable. A

bit like at the start of the match, the players want to hold on to

serve. Another first serve fails to hit the

mark so Jamie Murray has to make doubly sure of this one.

You imagine Pavic will be doing is not there. Two second serves and he

has missed both returns. -- doing his not.

Back in front and leading 15-14. Getting on for two hours for this

final set alone. And we are about to hit the five-hour mark for the

duration of the match. Four hours and 59 minutes. Michael Venus, the

New Zealander, the only man who has not, out with serve yet. He is on

duty next. Can Soares and Murray take advantage of this opening

service game today. That is the question. Jamie Murray looks a

little bit more menacing today with those shades on. It is considerably

brighter. A row from the Court 17 crowd. -- a

roar. And the maturation reaches five hours on the dot. Spread over

two days. -- the match duration. Is this the beginning of the end?

And of course it is all about energy and intensity and trying to make

your opponents look small because you are bouncing everywhere. They

have to get big edge here, these guys. They need to stay pumped up. A

good finish from Bruno Soares. Steadying himself rock solid with

his footwork, and thumping it away. And you would imagine that walking

away last night, they are going with this set play and that, just to

cover all the corners. Two points away.

Just a little slip on the dust. The Brazilian was flat on his back for a

brief moment. That is out and all of a sudden

Murray and Soares have a match point. It is their third match point

of the match. Huge pressure on Michael Venus, the New Zealander.

Match point. And it is a good return. UMPIRE: The game, set and

match Murray and Soares. Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares has come

through a marathon encounter on the right side of the scoreboard,

defeating patridge and Venus in five hours and five sets, 16-14 in the

decider. It started yesterday, and 90% of it was yesterday. The last 5%

stake in Kirov on this Tuesday afternoon. -- the last 5% taken

Kirov on this Tuesday afternoon. SUE BARKER: Also good news for Britain's

Johnny married, he is through to the quarterfinals. And remember Johnny,

he came in as a wild card in 2012 and won the doubles with Frederick

Nielsen. Two Brits going well in the doubles. And now we will take you to

a match that had to be completed on Court number three today and what

drama we saw last night in this fourth round match with Jiri Vesely

and Tomas Berdych locked in battle. The match did not finish until after

nine and it was almost dark. Tomas Berdych at five match points but

fails to take them. Vesely took that forced to set tie-break. We join

them at the start of the fifth set and our commentators out on Court

three are Jamie Becker and Ronald McIntosh.

An uncharacteristic slow start to begin a service game from Jiri

Vesely. Berdych taking the early advantage in getting ahead of 30. --

getting ahead 0-30. My goodness, the mis-hit was audible

from our commentary box. Bringing up three break points.

Seeing off the first one with the 22nd ace of the match.

A dream start for Berdych. Can he consolidate? By holding serve office

on. -- of his own. In stark contrast to yesterday,

Vesely's radar is just a little awry at the beginning of this set.

A 16 stroke rally approaching the longest of the match.

No mistake. Building on that fantastic serve and forehand

combination. This is the tactic that really changed the momentum of the

match yesterday. In that second set, Berdych taking control of the points

coming forward. He consolidates the break.

Signs of frustration evident in the body language of Jiri Vesely. We did

not see any of that yesterday, particularly at the conclusion of

that tie-break. Bind on his own serve again here. -- behind on his

own serve. That was a confident leave from

personally, pretty close from our commentary box. -- from Vesely.

Just agonisingly short from Vesely's point of view. He did have lots of

success with this tactic yesterday, and that one, that felt good in the

air, but just not quite enough on it.

So Vesely hold serve for the first time in the deciding set. -- holds.

Well, on what is the sixth anniversary of Tomas Berdych's

abiding presence in the top ten, he has been ever present in that

rarefied echelon of tennis players since 2010, the 5th of July 2010,

perhaps we can expand a little bit more on that extraordinary tie-break

yesterday. It was so dark, it didn't include until 21 minutes past nine,

and in the midst of the tie-break Hawk-Eye was no longer an option.

Even before the tie-break, Hawk-Eye was taken away, that is how dark it

became! So much drama. It was Vesely who rattled off the first fistful of

points to lead 6-1, then Berdych had six in reply, to have his fourth

match point, then another match point at 9-8, and eventually on his

seventh set point it was Vesely who prevailed. Berdych wasn't best

pleased, Vesely was absolutely elated. So here we are, that is how

we have arrived at this second day resumption, Vesely find themselves

trailing by a break, Berdych serving, fourth game, 2-1.

Finding a very good angle on the back hand. The approach to the net

proving to be an effective tactic for Berdych.

Terrific battling by Vesely, but is Berdych making no mistake with those

overheads. Well, this really has been a dream start for Tomas

Berdych, gifted the break, in that first game, allowing him to have the

confidence and the freedom to open up his shoulders, come forward into

the net. He is beginning to feel it now,

using that tactic to good effect yesterday, executed to perfection

there. Yeah, he has a lot of success when he pins Tomas Berdych into the

backhand corner, the first example of him executing that tactic today.

Well, terrific lead times from Vesely, putting Berdych on the ropes

immediately. -- terrifically. A good example of the backhand being very

flat, coming through the grass court. So three straight points by

Vesely. Wonderful coverage by Tomas Berdych,

hurtling up to the net to retrieve this drop shot. I'm not sure that

was the correct choice shot by Vesely, he was in control, didn't

need the drop shot, but nevertheless Tomas Berdych looking sharp this

afternoon. A big athlete, Tomas Berdych, six feet five, 200lb,

rumbled his way up to the net effectively to secure that point.

He knew it as soon as it left his racquet, Berdych.

Ace number 23 for Jiri Vesely. Perhaps a surprising statistic, he

is leading the big serving Berdych an average speed.

Well, he is definitely firing now, very sharp and do this -- onto this

forehand. Well, Vesely holds serve. We

discussed the drama during the tie-break, perhaps worth pointing

out that Vesely staved off three match points. He was 0-40 down on

his own serve in the 12th game of that fourth set, came back from then

on, the momentum really in his favour, and eroded through what

proved to be a 16 and a half minutes tie-break. Yeah, it was an amazing

effort, and that is perhaps the disappointing thing, from Vesely's

point of view - after all that drama, under normal circumstances,

if the match had continued, he would have had all the momentum, but today

is a new day, Berdych is time to compose himself because he was very

frustrated last night, and obviously Vesely has got himself into gear

now, he looks like he is back to the same type of fluidity and form as he

was playing with last night. But from his point of view, it would be

a real shame if Berdych did manage to serve this out, and the one break

at the start of the pet set, he will be kicking himself if that is the

case. That is what we appeared to be heading for yesterday, but from a

tickly Berdych could not serve it out, broken in the ninth game. --

but dramatically. That ended up being a really

effective return! Full stretch, it almost died as a drifted over the

net. Good opportunity Vesely has created

for himself here now, 0-30 ahead. Big hitting baseline exchange during

the course of that rally, 17 strokes long. Impressive ball striking from

both players, Tomas Berdych two or three times in that rally successful

with his backhand down the line, but this is not far out.

So break point on the Berdych serve for the 22-year-old.

And he's done it, he gets the break back. So now we are back on serve,

3-3 in the deciding set. Any outward signs of frustration

that Vesely has demonstrated, he has moved on quickly, he hasn't felt

sorry for himself, and we are now back on serve.

Four times as many as is from the racquet of Vesely compared to

Berdych. -- aces. Plenty of swerve and kick on that

left-handed serve, it put Berdych at full stretch, unreturnable.

And again he has used variety on that serve to terrific effect, to

keep Berdych guessing. He just wants to keep his focus,

Vesely, at this point in the match, every single point is so important,

and the way he is serving, you feel if he can get his nose in front on

the scoreboard, he is going to get a great opportunity.

UMPIRE: Mr Vesely is challenging the call, the ball was called in.

The elected to watch this terrific return. Confirmation, what a return

by Berdych. Mr Vesely has two challenges remaining. Concentration

absolutely crucial at this juncture in the match.

Well, he has found that out twice during his service game. And

combined with the choice of watching the Berdych return bite the

baseline, that is how he is facing break point here.

My goodness! What a topsy-turvy service game from Erie Vesely. --

Jerry Vasily. He fails to consolidate the break, he was

serving like a dream at points in that service game, aces,

unreturnable serves, but then electing to watch the ball bisect

the baseline, and another unforced error to concede a serve. You can

tell by the look on his face how disappointing that is from 40-15 up,

the backhand errors, the four hand. It is just such an important point

in the match, you could feel that having got the break back, the

momentum was starting to swing again in his favour, and I don't know, can

we put that down to tension? It is the first time he has been in the

last 16, starting to get close to the finish line for the first time.

It is understandable. He is going to have to respond once again, he was

broken on the opening service game of set number five, battled his way

to break Berdych, but then failed to consolidate the break, broken in

game number seven. He is trailing again, Berdych is serving, 4-3,

deciding set, new balls. Just the extra zip of the new balls

leading to those two initial errors from Vesely, and on this point

Berdych able to take control - no chance for Vesely.

So having been broken in his previous service game, Erie Vesely

faces the prospect of serving to stay in the Championships here. --

he's trailing by a break, ninth game, deciding set, 3-5.

Practically pummelled off the cord jeering the course of that point,

Berdych pinned him. -- off the court during. We praised Vesely's

resilience so far in the match, but I wonder if this is one set too many

now. So, again, and able to execute the

drop shot effectively, it is match point number six for Tomas Berdych.

-- unable. He is not giving up yet, he sees off

the first match point. That is brave, match point down and

he fires its down the line with a forceful forehand volley. He came

back from 0-40 down, facing three match points in the 12 game of the

fourth set yesterday. -- the 12th game. Facing match point, second

serve here. Game, set and match, Berdych. What

an epic encounter between these compatriots from the Czech Republic.

Tomas Berdych, the Number Ten seed, through to the Wimbledon

quarterfinals for the fourth time. Well, what a match that was, they

finished at 9:23 last night, experienced telling in the end, but

I am sure we will hear a lot more of your reverse and in the future.

Berdych is through, he will be back for a quarterfinal tomorrow against

Lucas Pouille, who has never won a grass court match before coming to

Wimbledon, and now he is in the last eight. After the match, Tomas

Berdych spoke to John Inverdale. When you are coming back for a one

set shoot out, how much more stressful does that make the night

before, and when you wake up this morning? Yeah, I have to say, the

feeling after last night, or before last night, it was not really ideal,

I have to say. I mean, I was in a good position to finish the match

already yesterday, and then it did not happen, we have to stop because

of the darkness. Coming up again today, overall, I mean, it was all

about my experience, I have been in those situations in the past, and I

know how to deal with that, so I was really trying to get what happened

yesterday out of my mind, you know, and just stay calm, focused, get

ready for the shoot out of the last set today. And yeah, I came strong,

I came prepared, I took my chances, and it worked pretty well. Coming

into this tournament, was getting to the last eight a minimum

requirement? Yeah, I mean, I would always say that is a minimum

requirement with the position I am right now, and that is what I want

to achieve. So, usually, getting through the first week is one of the

facts that you really want to do, from the beginning, and then many of

us say the tournament has started. The first one of the new week is

done, and now I just need to get ready for the next one. You are

playing somebody you have never played before, I heard you say you

have practised with him once. What kind of research will you do over

the next 24 hours into his game, his strengths and weaknesses? I will

definitely watch some videos, I think these days it is pretty good,

you have a lot of options to save from matches in the past, you know.

It is always very good to know something a little bit before. I

mean, obviously, when you step on court, everything starts from zero,

but it is good to know little details and build up the game plan,

and also that is the work of the team, and I want to see something of

that, because it is better when you have that visual thing. You know,

just get myself ready and prepare for the match tomorrow.

A a goal to the final six years ago, everybody was saying he is going to

do that multiple times in the future but it has not happened. How much do

you desperately wants to be back here on Sunday, if not this year

then at some point in the future? It is definitely the only goal, that is

why you play tennis, why you keep coming back every day and working

hard and trying to push the limits. That is it. It is just another year

and another try, and that is why we do it. I am going to try hard, try

to go one by one and hopefully get all the way. SUE BARKER: He will

have been very happy to have made it through to the last eight yet again.

Let's look back at the ladies quarterfinals in just a moment but

first, your reaction to that, a tough time for Tomas Berdych. It is

very tough and sometimes in Grand Slams, certain circumstances happen

that can affect what ultimately happens to you. And with all the

weather problems we had here, to play back-to-back, normally in a two

week event you have some time on and some time off and it is such a

physically demanding sport. Not only is it physically demanding, it is

emotionally draining and you need those days off to recover. If you

are constantly coming back out onto court, and OK he only had to play

one sets today but you still have to come here and go through your free

match routine and warm and preparation, but he has not really

had that break from everything. Getting away from the crowds,

everything. That can have a knock-on effect going for red and that is

what Grand Slams are all about. Sometimes it works in favour of

other players and helps with scheduling, if players are scheduled

on Centre Court and there are no problems with the weather. All these

things mount up. He was very emotional, furious last night to be

asked to play that tie-break. He really did not wanted. He got even

more angry as he went 5-1 down. Anyway, years ago. That look at the

semifinal line-up as far as the ladies championship is concerned.

And we have Serena Williams at the top of the draw, taking on Elena

Vesnina and Angelique Kerber against Venus Williams. Your reaction?

No-one would have predicted the Williams sisters in the last four,

Serena but not Venus necessarily. But she is back in the top ten and

as soon as Muda River last, the second seed, a few other seeds went

as well. Venus has an aura at Wimbledon, but she does not have on

the tour. She has worked through it and she has played about three kids

who are half her age. We have talked about Berdych dealing with rain

delays but Venus has had a number of very draining matches, an off, and

off. She is really enjoying playing tennis and she has saved her best

for Wimbledon. I know you both watched her match with anaesthesia

Shvedova. -- with Shvedova. Amazing that they had not played each other

before. How did you feel she played? She was down 5-2 in the first set

but that is where the order comes into play because he felt that shred

of did not believe in herself. She tightened up. -- Shvedova. But every

time she was coming forward, she was ready to be at the net. The server

is not as good as it was. She does not get as many free points but she

intersperses it so that the rhythm of the match is very difficult for

the opponents. Opponents find difficult to play because either she

will bang down a great big ace or she will throw out a wobbly second

serve. Sometimes her... But she just loves being out on court. The other

factor with her is that she is mentally so difficult to get inside

her head. She gives nothing away in terms of her body language. She was

very slowly in between the points. You cannot get into her head at all.

She loves being out there. And let's hear what Venus had to say. This is

how at a press conference. How would you describe your wrote to

getting back here? The road was six years. They go by fast, thankfully.

But I have been blessed, really blessed to have an opportunity to be

here, and I do not have any regrets about anything that has taken place

in between. It has been a journey but it is something that I have had

to do and it has made me stronger. You have to admire, everything that

she has been through, the illness that she has had, giving her all out

here at the age of 36. But this is her favourite place. It was

noticeable on Court One because the crowds did not know much about

Shvedova, who was unseeded, and they were really pulling for Venus. She

has got to the point where she is respected so much as a former

champion, and people know her story and probably thought she would be

retired by now. I have often thought that she still plays to support

Serena. I cannot imagine those two, one being on the tour and the other

not. That is really motivated her. I think the fans will have a big

impact on what happens in the semis. I think people will think it is a

wonderful story with Venus, they have got to know her and they

respect and they want to win. And we have known her for so long. 16 years

ago, the two were in the last eight. It is an incredible story. Venus is

through and in the semifinal, facing Angelique Kerber come up against

Simona Halep. It was not a big serving contest. 13 breaks of

service, a lot of big baseline rallies. But that error has got her

through, the Australian Open champion, in straight sets, 7-5,

7-6. The crowd thoroughly enjoying the display. She is through to face

Venus Williams and let's hear what she had to say after the match.

Massive congratulations. You are through to your second semifinal

here at Wimbledon. How well do you think you played? It was a tough

match. We have both been playing really good tennis and I think it

was a high-class match but I am really happy about my performance. I

was playing really tough and trying to move him good. Also being

aggressive. It was not so bad is today. Even better than that. You

are the only player left in the women's draw who has not dropped a

set all tournament. That is quite a statistic to be proud of. Of course.

It is always good to win matches in two sets, but I think every single

match I play here is different. I was trying to play better from match

to match and it is good to be in the semifinals without dropping a set.

You won the Australian Open earlier in the year but you are saying that

you are playing your best tennis now. Why is that? Actually, I think

I have a lot of confidence. I know how to play on grass and I know how

to win against really good players. This is what I am enjoying here. I

really enjoy London, and I am looking forward to the next

challenge. At what age did you start dreaming of being a top tennis

player and winning a major tournament? After-school, actually.

I decided on being a pro and right now I have already had a long time

on the tour. It was always the dream to win the big tournaments. I won at

Australia this year and Wimbledon was always a dream for me, to win

it, to play here, it was always something really special. The

semifinal against Venus Williams, you have had some exciting matches

against her. That is true. It has always been tough and close. I

played against here in the Olympics four years ago and she is always a

dangerous opponent, especially in Wimbledon. I am looking forward to

playing against terror again and I think it will be a good match. I

will give everything to beat her. Have you watched play through this

tournament? She seems to be playing with a lack of fear, she seems to be

enjoying everything she's doing. She is enjoying it and she is playing

good tennis right now. I have watched a few matches, a few games,

and she is a dangerous opponent. I think I have to play really good

tennis, to beat. -- to beat her. I feel sorry for her, she is always

compare with Steffi Graf. But she moves well and she is a great

athlete. I think it is a big difference from what we saw at the

French Open on the clay-court season because she was saying how badly she

was playing and she could not find her timing. After the French Open,

she spent a lot of time on the practice court working on her serve,

which can be an issue and it might be in the matchup against Venus on

Thursday. But she is a wall in women's tennis. How would you get

the ball past, I don't know. She is a former swimmer and that is why she

has strong shoulders and great legs. A very different matchup with Venus

in the semis but she gets to everything and she has also added a

lot to her game over the last year and a half, more variety. The money

shot is the forehand down the line. They did not go away on that

occasion, but there are very few players in the world that can hit

through her. Maybe Venus can do it but I don't know. I think you have

said it right. She is such an absorber of pace, and we talk about

her strong legs physically, extremely strong. On a grass court,

you need to be able to stay close to the ground and absorb it but she is

trying to be a more aggressive tennis player. And her serve, it is

not a big serve but she is left-handed and she can swing out

wide, and also swing it into the body. She tucks players up and she

gets a lot of joy out of her serve. It is deceptively effective if that

is a way of describing it. It is not a big serve. She just uses it very

cleverly. It is a tough one to call, Venus against Angelique. You would

have to say that Angelique Kerber is the favourite, but there is a lot of

pressure. Venus could be quite loose. I don't know with the rain

delays, how much Venus has played over this period of time, she has

played a day in, day out for quite a while. When you get a day off, you

sometimes go like that and you feel worse when you come back to play. I

don't know if that will affect Venus but of the two semifinals, I would

say that would be a classic match. Lovely to see her back on court.

Venus today against Pavlyuchenkova, she played great tennis, like the

great champions do. She is such a different character to her sister.

She wears her heart on her sleeve, she is feistiness and fire out there

will stop massive amounts of power that she brings. She is a very

intimidating opponent. And I have to say, I could sit and watch her serve

all day long. It is the most beautiful service action that we

have ever seen in the women's game. And the backhand return a

crosscourt, in particular, is sensational. When she puts her mind

to it, she is the best player out there on the tour by fire. But it is

whether she can control her emotions enough to get through this event,

which is such a massive piece of history that she is going after. We

keep saying that it has had her faltering in the last three Grand

Slams, but I think she is looking fitter and hungrier and more

motivated than I have ever seen her. There is no question that after she

lost in the final of the French Open to Muguruza, she has been out there.

She is looking so fit physically. I think it is going to take a lot to

beat her. And when you're down the other end, if she is dominating the

rallies, you're going to do a lot of running. I don't think Serena likes

the gym at all. But she looks amazing. I feel like the semifinal

will be very similar to the one she played against Pavlyuchenkova. A lot

of the players that take on say that you have to concentrate from the

first point until the last point and if you have a lapse, then it is all

over, which is what happens to Pavlyuchenkova out there today. One

thing that is different this year, I see her looking up to the player box

more and there is more communication. She might be feeling

more vulnerable because of what happened at the French Open. That is

something you used to not see, are looking psychologically insecure.

But if you have that great serve and everything she has, she should not

really need any support. But maybe she feels that she does. But she did

struggle, a break down against Kuznetsova and having difficulties

against Katrina McHale. They both came through 3-set matches

yesterday, but I think the emotional turmoil for Cibulkova, it took a

toll on her today and she was not playing at best. But Elena Vesnina

took advantage and sailed through this match, 6-2, 6-2. So she is

through to the semifinals at Wimbledon, with a big smile. Through

to the last four and after the match, she spoke to us.