WIMBLEDON 2006: Ladies Quarterfinals Set

My original quarterfinal predictions were 5 out of 8 correct due to Venus Williams losing in the 3rd round, amazing French qualifier Severine Bremond continuing her unlikely run and the Chinese player Na Li outlasting big hitting Czech youngster Nicole Vaidisova. Here are my predictions with the actual quarterfinal schedule now set:

Amélie Mauresmo FRA (1) vs. Venus Williams USA (11) Anastasia Myskina RUS (9). Myskina is playing excellent tennis, but Mauresmo has made 3 semi-finals at Wimbledon and is it is her destiny to win this title. Myskina took Henin-Hardenne to a 3rd set tiebreak at Eastbourne in the grass court warm up tournament but lost. I suspect this match will be another thriller and probably the best match of the Ladies' Quarterfinals. The good news for Myskina is that there's no final set tie break at Wimbledon. But the Frenchwoman's destiny will not be denied.
PREDICTION: Mauresmo in 3 sets.

Maria Sharapova RUS (4) vs. Elena Dementieva RUS (7) . When the Russians play each other there is always extra tension (and often not very good tennis). Sharapova's game is well-suited to the grass. Although Dementieva's serve has improved, her two great strengths: mental toughness/fighting spirit and powerful ground strokes are matched, if not surpassed by Sharapova. PREDICTION: Sharapova in 3 sets.

Ai Sugiyama JPN (18) Severine Bremond FRA (QUALIFIER) vs. Justine Henin-Hardenne BEL (3). Brad Gilbert of ESPN has predicted Henin-Hardenne will win this title without dropping a set. She is playing excellently, but perhaps if anyone can stop the "Belgian Express" it is an unknown French qualifier playing with absolutely nothing to lose. PREDICTION: Henin-Hardenne in 2 sets.

Kim Clijsters BEL (2) vs. Nicole Vaidisova CZE (10) Na Li CHN (27). Na Li becomes the first Chinese player to make a Grand Slam quarterfinal. Vaidisova would have given Clijsters a run for her money, but I believe Kim will be very eager to get to a semifinal against Justine to get revenge for her loss to her countrywoman at the semifinals of the French and Eastbourne. The "Belgian sisters" are now tied 11-11 head to head. Na Li does not have enough game to prevent an all Belgian semifinal. PREDICTION: Clijsters in 2 sets.