Indian Wells: Women's Quarterfinals

The quarterfinals are set on the women's side at Indian Wells, and there have been a few stories, the biggest of which could be the viral illness that has struck down both men and women at the tournament.  Zvonareva and Schiavone are among those who retired or withdrew with the illness, and it could be at fault for poor play of others including Kvitova.  But we still have 5 of the top 8 seeds, and all the quarterfinalists are seeded.

There has also been breakout play from young Americans with Hampton and McHale reaching the round of 16 with victories over Jankovic and Kvitova respectively.  Stephens, Davis, Falconi, and Lepchenko each notched one win and Sloane nearly beat Kerber (who also barely escaped McHale), and King beat Errani and the badly slumping Pavlyuchenkova.  In all the Americans went 11-11, an excellent record for a top level tournament.  Wildcards went 7-7.

Here are the eight remaining players:
1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
2) Maria Sharapova (RUS)
5) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)
7) Marion Bartoli (FRA)
8) Na Li (CHN)
15) Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
18) Angelique Kerber (GER)
20) Maria Kirilenko (RUS)

Matchups are Azarenka/Radwanska and Li/Kerber today with Bartoli/Ivanovic and Sharapova/Kirilenko tomorrow.

Azarenka survived a major scare from Barthel, escaping 6-4 6-7(4) 7-6(6).  Half the 2011 quarterfinalists are still in the draw:  Bartoli (F), Sharapova (SF), Azarenka and Ivanovic (QF).  Wozniacki lost to Ivanovic in straight sets after surviving Makarova and Arvidsson, but she will drop out of the top 5 and is currently #6 in the live rankings.

Seeds losing in their first match were 11) Lisicki, 12) Jankovic, 13) Pavlyuchenkova (now 2-7 in '12), 17) Peng (to Pervak), 19) Hantuchova, 22) Wickmayer (SF last year), 28) Cetkovska, and 29) Kanepi (really slumping since Brisbane win).