The defending champion, Li Na of China, moved into the Sydney International final with a 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 over Petra Kvitova on Thursday, ending the Czech player's bid to become world No1 before the Australian Open.
Instead, the road-trippers were Hazel Cills, the Rookie contributor who read at Littlefield; Petra Collins, 19, a photographer from Toronto; Petra's sister, Anna Collins, 16; Petra's boyfriend, Avery Hunsberger, 32, the sole male traveler and designated driver, quietly resigned to both roles; and Anaheed Alani, 42, acting as adult chaperon.
Behind Williams, there is Sharapova, who has lost 13 straight head-to-head matchups with Williams, at 6-1, VictoriAzarenkaka (7-1), Petra Kvitova (12-1), Li Na (25-1), Agnieszka Radwanska (33-1) Angeliqueique Kerber (40-1).
Consider her head-to-head records against the other active players to win major titles: Maria Sharapova (18 wins, two defeats), Svetlana Kuznetsova (8-2), Victoria Azarenka (17-3), Ana Ivanovic (8-1), Petra Kvitova (5-1), Francesca Schiavone (7-2) and Samantha Stosur (8-3).
Predicted to reach the Round of 16: Petra Kvitova.
Predicted to reach the Round of 16: Petra Cetkovska.
Robson, who is ranked 50th, won that match over No. 8 Petra Kvitova, 2-6, 6-3, 11-9.
Williams's projected quarterfinal opponent is No. 8 Petra Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon champion.
0845 686 8067, lescarrasses.com 34C Phnom Penh (pictured) Cambodia 31C Apia, Samoa 27C Cape Town, South Africa 22C Petra, Jordan 18C Palermo, Sicily.
Zvonareva moved into a quarterfinal against No. 25 Petra Kvitova, who beat No. 22 Flavia Pennetta, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
That match is followed by the more highly anticipated showdown between No. 2 Maria Sharapova and No. 4 Petra Kvitova.
