Kerber last former champion standing in Charleston

Defending champion Angelique Kerber, who defeated Kristina Kucova in straight sets today, is now the last former Charleston champion in the competition. 2009 champion Sabine Lisicki and 2014 champion Andrea Petkovic went out in the second round, and 2004 champion Venus Williams and 2010 champion Sam Stosur were defeated today in the third round. 2007 champion Jelena Jankovic entered the tournament but had to withdraw before the first round.

Yulia Putintseva (photo by Daniel Ward)

3rd seed Williams, who had difficulty with her second serve, went out in three sets to Yulia Putintseva. Stosur also went out in straight sets--to 5th seed Sara Errani, who has very quietly advanced through the Volvo Car Open draw, practically unnoticed. Stosur and Errani had to play in swirling winds, and it was the Italian who was better able to manage the conditions.

One former runner-up also remains in the draw. Qualifier Elena Vesnina, who was a finalist in 2011, defeated Lourdes Dominguez Lino today. Vesnina had a bit of luck in the second round when 2nd seed Belinda Bencic had a problem with her back, but the Russian's form has nevertheless been excellent all week.

Sloane Stephens, who had won only one match in several attempts in Charleston, advanced to the quarterfinals tonight with a straight-sets win over Daria Gavrilova. And Irina-Camelia Begu saved a match point against Monica Puig, then went on to defeat her 1-6, 6-2, 7-6.

Laura Siegemund (photo by Daniel Ward)

Laura Siegemund, whose serve was on fire yesterday, had to be more creative today because of the windy conditions. The German was able to utilize her many defensive skills to overcome Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, 7-5, 6-2 on the Althea Gibson Club Court. Siegemund, who played doubles tonight, has now been on the court over ten hours. "...I feel pretty good," Siegmund said after her singles match. "I'm used to having long matches on clay. It's part of my game, also, I think, to do a lot of running...."

Daria Kasatkina (photo by Daniel Ward)

And then there was Daria Kasatkina, who just keeps making it look easy. Today, Kasatkina beat Louisa Chirico 6-0, 6-4. Chirico, to her credit, made the second set quite competitive. Kasatkina, who has now reached her second premier quarterfinal since advancing to the round of 16 in Indian Wells, is likely to be seeded at the French Open. She was the junior champion there in 2011.

Kasatkina and her partner, Elena Vesnina, lost their quarterfinal doubles match to Caroline Garcia and Kiki Mladenovic. Siegmund, however--with partner Anna-Lena Groenefeld--won hers. The German team defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues (still playing!) and Arantxa Parra Santonja.

Here is the quarterfinal singles draw:
Angelique Kerber (1) vs. Irina-Camelia Begu
Daria Kasatkina (14) vs. Sloane Stephens (7)
Laura Siegemund vs. Elena Vesnina (Q)
Sara Errani (5) vs. Yulia Putintseva