Tennis: Wimbledon's new star shines bright as Pironkova beats Venus

Published on Wednesday 30 June 2010 10:03

VENUS WILLIAMS is heading home but a new star has been born at SW19 – and Tsvetana Pironkova believes the planets are aligning at Wimbledon.

With talent in abundance – evident in her 6-2, 6-3 demolition job on the five-time champion – women's tennis has unearthed a gem.

Pironkova is ranked 82nd in the world – a full 80 places below her opponent – but, after becoming the first Bulgarian to ever reach the last four at the All England Club, her stock is set to skyrocket. At the 2006 Australian Open, Pironkova downed Williams but got caught up in the hype as a fresh-faced 18-year-old. But, with a semi-final clash against Vera Zvonoreva, the Russian 21st seed who beat eighth seed Kim Clijsters, awaiting, Pironkova is hoping the SW19 gods continue to show their pearly whites.

"Wimbledon has always been a religion for me, it's the oldest tournament and every year everyone is looking forward to it," she said. "People say, 'one day I want to play there', that is the dream and I cannot truly believe that I have reached the semi-finals.

"I think the first time I played on grass was five years ago during qualifying for Wimbledon. Back then I thought it was impossible, I thought 'how can I play on this surface?', but every match I play I feel better.

"And I won't make the same mistake as when I beat Venus before. There was so much attention back then and it was a shock and I could not focus. I've learned my lesson since then, though."

Meanwhile, defending champion Serena Williams restored some family pride with a dogged victory over China's Li Na to book her place in the semi-finals for the third year in a row.

The world No.1 took to Centre Court shortly after seeing older sister Venus crash out but she vented her frustrations on Li with a 7-5, 6-3 win without hitting top gear.

Serena will now be the overwhelming favourite for an 13th grand slam and will face unseeded Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, who won a gruelling clash with Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, 4-6,. 7-6 (8), 8-6.

"Venus and I are best friends, we live together, we do everything together. I saw her after the match and she gave me some good advice. It was a tough match for her," said Serena.

"This championship is not mine to lose but it's mine if I can get it. There are three other people vying to win it and they have just as good a chance as I do."