LONDON — Kirsten Flipkens upset former champion Petra Kvitova 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Wimbledon semifinals on Tuesday.
Playing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, the bespectacled Flipkens had only five unforced errors in a gutsy performance. She fell face first on the court and kissed the grass after closing out the match with an ace that was challenged by Kvitova.
Flipkens said "It's ridiculous! Last year I didn't even get into qualifying. To be a semi-finalist at Wimbledon, it cannot be better."
The No. 20 Flipkens will next play Marion Bartoli.
Kvitova, who won the title at the All England Club two years ago, called for a medical timeout at 5-2 in the second set and had her temperature checked.
