Venus and Serena Williams both in Charleston quarterfinals

Serena Williams serves

For the first time in Family Circle Cup history, both Venus and Serena Williams will play in the quarterfinals. After Serena Williams defeated Marina Erakovic today, Venus defeated Anastasia Rodionova. The sisters are former champions in Charleston--Venus in 2004 and Serena in 2008.

Sabine Lisicki

Also advancing to the quarterfinals today was 2009 champion Sabine Lisicki, who defeated qualifierYaroslava Shvedova in straight sets. It took Lisicki a while to settle down and get her serve working consistently, but when she did, she entered the quarterfinals with a 7-5, 6-4 victory.

Two-time runner-up Vera Zvonareva had a harder time getting to the next round. Zvonareva had to go three sets against qualifier Stefanie Voegele, and she had to serve for the match twice. After over two hours of play, Zvonareva posted a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win.

In the night match, 2010 champion Sam Stosur was up 4-2  in the first set against Galina Voskoboeva, and then lightning appeared in the sky. The same thing happened last night (after all, this is the Family Circle Cup), but the sky cleared and play was permitted to go on. Tonight, though, there was rain with the lightning, and all play was suspended. That included a doubles match in which defending champions Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina had won a tiebreak in the first set and were down 1-2 in the second. Mirza and Vesnina are playing the team of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Lucie Safarova.

Scattered thunderstorms are predicted for the Charleston area tomorrow, with most of the rain expected to come in the morning. Winds could get as high as 20 mph., and there is a high of just 60 degrees forecast.