2014 WIMBLEDON: Women's Quarterfinals Preview (part 2)

Here are my predictions for the last two women's quarterfinals at the Wimbledon Championships for 2014. Last year I correctly predicted 3 of 4 men's quarterfinals and correctly predicted 4 of 4 women's quarterfinals. Because of rain delays, the two women's quarterfinals will be played along with all four men's quarterfinals. This year I correctly predicted 1 of 2 women's quarterfinals so far.

Serena Williams (USA) [1] Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) [13] vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS) [5] Angelique Kerber (GER) [9]. For the 3rd straight major, World #1 Serena Williams has failed to make it to the second week, gifting a huge opportunity to Maria Sharapova to win another major, just weeks after the Russian who has lost her last 15 meetings to the 17-time major champion won her 2nd French Open. However, as I suspected, Sharapova  was hampered by the fact that the Wimbledon title was now her to lose. Bouchard is the only player to reach two major semifinals and a quarterfinal this year and the youngster is impatient for even more success at the top of women's tennis. This Canadian youngster will not be unnerved by the prospect of winning her first major, she embraces it. Bouchard destroyed Kerber in their last meeting at the French Open Round of 16 a few weeks ago (giving up only 3 games). I do not think this meeting will be that lopsided but I do think Kerber will have a harder time shaking her epic win over Sharapova and be emotionally spent. PREDICTION: Bouchard.

Simona Halep (ROU) [3] vs. Sabine Lisicki (GER) [19]. The German often always plays her best tennis of the year at Wimbledon and this year is another example of that. She is facing the 2014 French Open finalist from Romania, the most improved player of the last year. Halep was ranked 32 at last year's Wimbledon and is now the highest remaining seed at #3. Lisicki is trying to redeem herself after her painful (and pitiful) showing in last year's Wimbledon final. Halep is the more complete player but Lisicki is by far the more powerful. In battles between offense and defense,  I usually go with offense, especially on a grass court. PREDICTION: Lisicki.