WIMBLEDON LIVE: All the action from SW19 as Lisicki, Radwanska and Kvitova feature in women's quarter-finals

Originally posted on Dailymail

The highlight of the British sporting summer - The Championships at Wimbledon - starts to focus on the business end of singles competition as the women's quarter-finals take the spotlight at SW19.

The action gets underway at 1pm, with two matches on Centre Court and two on Number One Court. On Centre, we start with the highest remaining seed, number four-ranked Agnieska

Radwanska, against the former French Open champion and sixth seed Li Na.

That's followed by the 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova against the Belgian 20th seed Kirsten Flipkens.

First up on Court One is Sabine Lisicki, who so memorably defeated favourite Serena Williams yesterday, against the conqueror of Laura Robson, Estonia's Kaia Kanepi.

And after that, the next great hope of American tennis, Sloane Stephens takes on the former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli.

So stick with us for all the live scores, game-by-game coverage of the British players, updates from our team of reporters at courtside and the best photographic coverage from 11.30am.

2.29pm BRIT WATCH starring Neil Moxley: 'Away from the two obvious Brit success stories so far, it's been a disappointing effort on the home front. The doubles yesterday was a wipeout and in the boys' and girls' events today have gone the same way. Katie Boulter, Lara Rush and Harriet Dart all lost. The one shining light so far is Kyle Edmund who has raced into an early three-game lead on Court No 4 against Yoshishito Nishioka.'

2.25pm Further to the Sir Cliff picture, Jon McEvoy is getting a bit worried: 'Regarding rain, I’m waiting to see the Sloane Stephens v Marion Bartoli match on Court One. Fear spits and spots for a while. But not as much as I fear Sir Cliff, who is in the building, bursting into song. The covers are being peeled off, thankfully.'

His update has neatly reminded us that Stephens-Bartoli, the second quarter-final on Court One, isn't far away.

Winning moment: Sabine Lisicki celebrates reaching the semi-finals

2.22pm Jon McEvoy having to back track on his earlier forecast (see 11.32am)... 'What do the Met Office know? It’s raining, chaps. Why don’t they just stick their fingers out of the window?'

But luckily for him, the covers have just been dragged off Centre Court and it looks as though Radwanska and Li Na will resume shortly.

2.18pm Laura Williamson writes: 'Li Na has absolutely thrown that first set away. Was up a break and had four set points to close it out and failed, and then went 5-3 up in the tiebreak, only to throw it away again. Radwanska takes the first set, the Centre Court covers come on and we'll have a slight rain delay before the roof springs into action.'

And a good observation by Mike Dickson: 'Sabine Lisicki, a German who is of Polish extraction, is through to the semi-finals, and Agnieszka Radwanska, the Polish number one, is a set up on Li Na. With two Poles in the men’s quarters it is not just Polish plumbers who are doing well in London.'

Safely through: Sabine Lisicki became the first woman through to the semi-finals as she beat Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 6-3

Bit lonely? Sir Cliff Richard certainly looks the part on Centre Court... but why doesn't anyone want to sit near him?

2.16pm PLAY SUSPENDED They finished just in time as the covers are being pulled on to Centre Court as the first spots of rain fall.

2.14PM GAME, SET AND MATCH All over on Court One and Sabine Lisicki has continued her excellent form from yesterday's win over Serena with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Kaia Kanepi to reach the last four in an hour and five minutes.

While the Estonian undoubtedly had the weapons to give Lisicki, the new favourite for the title, some problems, she has been blown away. Obviously the German was determined to beat the weather as well as her opponent there!

2.13pm Finally, something gives and Radwanska, having saved four set points earlier, requires just one to win the first set 7-5 on the tie breaker. RADWANSKA WINS FIRST SET ON TIE-BREAKER

2.09pm Still very little to separate Radwanska and Li Na - it's 3-3 in the tie-break and neither looks like budging.

Kanepi is still hanging in there too, pulling it back to 5-3, but Sabine Lisicki is now serving for the match.

2.05pm We're going all the way in the first set on Centre as Li Na puts the disappointment of not taking that last service game behind her to level at 6-6.

1.59pm Meanwhile, Lisicki is making light work of the second set as well and has the advantage of a break at 4-2. This could be over very soon barring miracles from Kanepi.

1.58pm Wonderful digging in from Radwanska there - it looked for all the world that Li Na would wrap up the set and she had a number of points to win it, but the number four seed stood firm and denied her. Back level at 5-5. To add to the agony for Li Na, they've just shown a Hawkeye replay that proves a serve called out was fractionally in, and that would have won her the set.

Dreaming of the final: Li Na in action against Agnieska Radwanska

1.53pm Early break in the second set for Kanepi as she responds very well from the disappointment of losing the first - 2-1 to the Estonian, who is next on serve.

1.47pm A break at the perfect time for Li Na, who now leads Radwanska 5-4 and is about to serve for the set.

1.44pm Sabine Lisicki is winning the arm-wrestle on Court One and has won the first set 6-3 following a break on the last Kanepi service game. Good start for the German. LISICKI WINS THE FIRST SET 6-3

1.40pm Li Na is not happy with the umpire after she ordered a successful point to be replayed following a review. It would have given her the game too. It doesn't matter in the end as the Chinese player channels her frustrations to win the point and level things at 4-4.

You what? Agnieska Radwanska argues over a point during the first set of her match with Li Na

1.36pm Important hold by Kaia Kanepi as Lisicki was threatening to gain a second break in the first set. It's currently 4-3 to the German, who is next to serve.

1.31pm Quiz poser by Alex Kay (not especially difficult)... 'Anyone recognise the player signing autographs? He's spending ages signing tickets, tennis balls and lots more'

Man of the people: Andy Murray signs autographs for waiting fans after completing his practice session

1.24pm Nothing to fault on the Lisicki service game as she holds to lead 3-1 as we pass the quarter-hour mark. The match on Centre has fallen into a more normal pattern after those two early breaks, and it's presently 3-2 to Radwanska and back on serve.

Steely focus: Sabine Lisicki returns during the first set of her quarter-final match with Kaia Kanepi

1.17pm An early break of serve on Court One as well, where Lisicki has grabbed the advantage against Kanepi and has then reinforced it by winning the second game.

1.13pm Touche! Identical game to love by Radwanska to break right back and it looks like this could be a bit of a ding-dong battle.

Laura adds: 'In fact, strapping clearly isn't covered by the dress code: Radwanska has bright red tape on the base of her back. That must be classed as 'undergarments', too.'

Royal Box beauties: Katherine Jenkins and Darcey Bussell on Centre Court

1.09pm Lightning-fast start by Li Na, winning the first game to love and picking up an immediate break.

Meanwhile, on Court One, Sabine Lisicki and Kaia Kanepi are just underway.

1.06pm Centre Court taking a little bit of time to fill up as usual as the spectators and corporates drag themselves away from their lunches. Chair umpire Lucy Grant calls Radwanska and Li Na to the court and we're underway.

Laura Williamson is watching that one: 'The press benches are full of Chinese journalists, eager to see a woman who recently graced the front cover of TIME magazine and is one of the highest paid stars of women's tennis.

'Both players are wearing very heavy strapping - perhaps to guard against the slip-ups that have affected so many already in this tournament. Na has black tape on her right knee (hardly in keeping with the strict dress code here) and Radwanska has nude-coloured strapping on both her quadriceps.'

Centre of attention: Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall is at Wimbledon today

1pm Right, it's almost time for some live action as the players walk onto Centre and Court One for the first of today's women's quarter-finals. A reminder that it's Agnieska Radwanska v Li Na on Centre and Sabine Lisicki v Kaia Kanepi on One.

12.56pm The all-Polish battle tomorrow between Jerzy Janowicz and Lukasz Kubot is big news back home, at least judging by the throng of interviewers and photographers on the media balcony as the pair posed with the national flag and staged a joint interview.

Charlie Sale writes: 'Such a British scenario with Andy Murray taking on a GB compatriot in the last eight of Wimbledon looks highly unlikely in the foreseeable future. Yet Polish tennis has only a small fraction of the resources of the woeful Lawn Tennis Association, who have wasted hundreds of millions of pounds in botched initiatives to discover new talent.'

12.51pm Andy Murray looked like he meant business as he trained on the practice courts this morning ahead of tomorrow's date with Fernando Verdasco. His warm-up was watched by a bank of about 50 photographers and cameramen, a very interested crowd of junior coaches at the courtside and, of course, legions of fans.

And according to Sportsmail's Stuart Fraser, who was watching, Murray was 'beasting' back the serves left-handed training partner Johan Brunstrom was sending down.

Mike Dickson was also there and writes: 'Been on Wimbledon’s practice courts over at Aorangi Park. Andy Murray has finally found a left-hander to practice with ahead of Verdasco match tomorrow, it’s Swedish doubles specialist Johan Brunstrom. No, I hadn’t heard of him either.'

Bring it on: Andy Murray looks ready to make his Wimbledon dream come true as he took to the practice court this morning

12.48pm Absolutely everyone is enjoying the tennis, whether it be in the grandstands of SW19 or on the sofa at home, but what everyone surely wants to know is whether meerkats like tennis.

Well, one zoo in Oxfordshire decided to find out and installed a big TV and Freesat box in their Meerkat enclosure, renaming it 'Meerkat Mound' in honour of the famous 'Murray Mound'.

And, as this video conclusively proves, mammals are just as mad about tennis as humans...

12.42pm A couple of additions to today's Royal Box line-up. From Neil Moxley: 'Not sure what they do to qualify for a spot in the royal box, it should be strictly come the entitled...but Ms Tess Daly and Vernon Kay are among the guests today....'

And what do you know, here they are arriving at Wimbledon earlier...

Royal Box guests: Tess Daly and Vernon Kay arrive at Wimbledon this morning

12.29am BRIT WATCH with Alex Kay: 'It seems Greg Rusedski was a tad optimistic with his junior predictions. Luke Bambridge has just gone down 6-4, 6-4 to Christian Garin. Now for Harriet Dart and Kyle Edmund to fly the Court No 4 flag.'

Defeated: Britain's Luke Bambridge lost to Chile's Christian Garin 6-4, 6-4 in the Boy's singles this morning

12.27pm TWITTER post by Sportsmail's Stuart Fraser: 'Murray bringing in the left-hander Johan Brunstrom for practice ahead of quarter-final against lefty Verdasco tomorrow.'

12.24pm Alan Fraser is feeling a little bit, well, underwhelmed by the line-up today, which admittedly does look rather weak compared to the stellar cast we had yesterday. Hopefully the entertainment won't be lacking.

'The second Tuesday. A difficult day to get too excited about. Magic Monday has gone and we await Wonderful Wednesday when Andy Murray - the key figure in four very good men’s quarter finals - should take another step towards his first Wimbledon title.

'The four women’s quarter finals don’t raise the pulse quite so much, if at all. Without Serena and Laura, it all looks a bit tame.'

12.21pm The Doubles competition carries on today, but what about those already knocked out? Alex Kay has the answer:

'What do you do when your Wimbledon comes to an end? In Jonny Marray and Colin Fleming's case, you go and try a different sport. They are off for a round of golf today. Fleming plays off 10. Not quite scratch golfer Tim Henman but not bad at all.'

Anyone for golf? Colin Fleming (left) and his Doubles partner Jonathan Marray are hitting the golf course today after being knocked out of Wimbledon yesterday

12.17pm Charlie Sale with news of a presenter who has found work thanks to Wimbledon:

'Dan Lobb, former professional tennis player who was ranked number 18 in Britain in 1997 and once beat Tim Henman, has been out of the spotlight since unluckily losing his job as a presenter of ITV's Daytime breakfast show.

But Lobb, which is a great name for any tennis involvement, was chosen to do the red carpet interviews for the Women's Tennis Association's pre-Wimbledon party.'

12.05pm After yesterday's surprise loss for Serena, the eight remaining players in the women's draw believe all of a sudden that the title is theirs for the taking. But we appreciate that you may not be familiar with all of them, so Laura Williamson has written a little preview of today's matches and contenders.

11.59am Priorities, priorities... Ivan Speck again: 'Football comes first. Men’s quarter-finalist Lukasz Kubot will be watched by his mother Dorota tomorrow. His father Janusz won’t be there, though.

'He is coach of Polish Second Division side KS Polkowice and has been told by the club’s directors that he can’t fly to London and forsake his pre-season duties for the day.'

Yes I Can-Can! Poland's Lukasz Kubot celebrates in trademark style after his win over Adrian Mannarino yesterday

11.53am Perhaps Ivan Speck has seen a different forecast, or is a glass-half-empty kind of man: 'The Centre Court schedule is only two matches long today. With rain forecast, that almost certainly gives Referee Andrew Jarrett the chance to switch the No.1 Court women’s quarter-finals across and under the roof.

'If it doesn’t rain, they will probably put John McEnroe’s doubles match on to Centre. Which would you rather watch?'

Ready for action: Three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe is due on court with his younger brother Patrick in the Senior Men's Invitation Doubles later on

11.47am The early exits from Wimbledon don't just dent professional pride, but can also hit you hard in the wallet too. Charlie Sale again: 'Roger Federer’s early exit from Wimbledon has been a particular blow to his watch sponsors Rolex who signed him on a 10-year £10million contract in 2006 – sport’s most lucrative watch deal.

'Federer is so sponsorship savvy he made a habit of going into the Rolex hospitality suite on Centre Court after his matches.'

11.44am BRIT WATCH Of course, it's not only the women's quarter-finals today. The Doubles action continues apace on the outside courts and there's plenty of British interest to keep tabs on in the Boy's and Girl's singles.

Alex Kay writes: 'Just chatted to a very pumped up Greg Rusedski, who is looking after the British boys in the juniors. He predicted wins for Luke Bambridge, Kyle Edmund and Jonny O'Mara today. Let's see if he's right.'

Well turned out: Wimbledon umpires pose for a group photograph

Last minute preparations: A groundsman paints the white lines and another uses a mop on the grass as a cleaner works in the Royal Box on Centre Court

11.38am CELEBRITY WATCH A low key Royal Box guest list today, says Charlie Sale: 'After all the sporting stars invited into the Royal Box for the first eight days of the tournament, only a small turn-out from sport today led by the new chairman of UK Sport Rod Carr and former Wimbledon champion Margaret Court, who won the women's title in 1970.'

11.35am Hopefully these words from Charlie Sale don't jinx things for me today: 'The All England Club's in-house online operation for the championships has a team of reporters working at Wimbledon. Yet not one of them was allocated to cover defending champion Serena Williams shock fourth round defeat by Sabine Lisicki yesterday. Sportsmail Online's Wimbledon Live coverage is far more reliable.'

11.32am Today's WEATHER FORECAST comes courtesy of Jon McEvoy (and the Met Office):

'A dull, cloudy start with even some light rain and drizzle around at first. Becoming largely dry by the end of the morning and then the afternoon will be dry and bright with cloud lifting and breaking to bring some spells of sunshine to the Championships.

'Light to moderate westerly winds and feeling quite pleasant in the afternoon sunshine with a maximum temperature of 20 Celsius (68F).'

Hooded: Rufus, the resident Wimbledon Harris Hawk, wears the club colours as he performs his daily duties of scaring away pigeons that can distract the players (below)

11.30am Good morning and welcome to ladies' quarter-final day at Wimbledon. Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova may have fallen by the wayside, but that has only served to open up the draw and we will see eight players today with real hopes of lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday.

The action gets underway at 1pm, with two matches on Centre Court and two on Number One Court. On Centre, we start with the highest remaining seed, number four-ranked Agnieska Radwanska, against the former French Open champion and sixth seed Li Na. That's followed by the 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova against the Belgian 20th seed Kirsten Flipkens.

First up on Court One is Sabine Lisicki, who so memorably defeated favourite Serena Williams yesterday, against the conqueror of Laura Robson, Estonia's Kaia Kanepi. And after that, the next great hope of American tennis, Sloane Stephens takes on the former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli.