On a breezy day in London, eight players looked to continue their dream of winning the 2015 edition of Wimbledon. When the dust settled on an interesting day of tennis, four would be left standing.

Williams overcomes Azarenka

It was a battle of rivals as top seed Serena Williams faced 23rd-seeded Victoria Azarenka. Despite the lopsided head-to-head record in favor of Williams, the Belarusian has been one of the few players who has shown the ability to equal the American’s power. But Serena would reign victorious again, 3-6 6-2 6-3.

Early in the first set, both players were effective in protecting their serve as they appeared to size up their opponent. But it was Azarenka who struck first, gaining a break advantage in the fourth game. As the set progressed with the two assaulting each other from the baseline, Azarenka would not blink and closed out the first set.

As the confident Azarenka continued her strong play in the second set, Williams became more vocal, and her intensity picked up. As both players battled, Azarenka found the ability to fight off Williams’ advances as the world No. 1 attempted to seize control.  However, the American finally found her first break of serve to take a 4-2 lead, turning the set around. Attacking Azarenka’s second serve and taking advantage of some miscues, she would close out the set and even the match.

In the third set, Williams was relentless, jumping out to an early 3-0 lead. With precision power strokes, she would steamroll her way back into the semifinals as a big effort by the Belarusian fell short once again. Williams would finish the match with an impressive 46 winners to just 12 unforced errors.

Williams summed up her play, “It’s been up and down, up and down, but somehow I’m still alive. I don’t know how,” she said. “So we’ll see what happens, but I’m just happy to still be here.”

She will face Maria Sharapova in the semifinals next.

Sharapova returns to Wimbledon Semis

Two big hitters squared off in another quarterfinal match as fourth-seeded Maria Sharapova faced Coco Vandeweghe. It was the five-time major champion advancing, 6-3 6-7 6-2.

In the first set, Sharapova came up with two service breaks against the American and despite five double faults, maintained her serve well enough to claim the set.

Things became interesting in the second set as it appeared the veteran would close out the match with relative ease. Sharapova gained a service break early and held her serve throughout much of the set. However, serving to close out the match at 5-4, a nervous game allowed Vandeweghe back into the set as she evened play. With momentum now on her side, Vandeweghe made strides into another Sharapova service game. But, despite facing two set points, Sharapova would eventually hold serve and force a tiebreak.

In the tiebreak, the 23-year-old found success battling Sharapova from the baseline as the rallies extended. Vandeweghe would patiently wait for her opportunities, striking with power from the baseline as she exhibited consistency that has not historically been her strength. She opened up a tight tiebreak, winning 7-3 to even the match.

Sharapova would settle down at the beginning of the third set, gaining an early break as she seized control of the momentum once again. But in the fifth game, shaky serves by the Russian cost her as the New York native fought to regain the break. Sharapova showed the determination that she is known for, immediately regaining her advantage back. This time, she was not to be denied as she held firm and closed out the match as Vandeweghe appeared to finally wear down.

Addressing her ability to bounce back after her disappointing second set, Sharapova stated, “I was pretty dominant in the first set and the beginning of the second, but things slipped away after that and I had to regroup,” she said. “My opponent was full of confidence, so I knew it was going to be a tough match. “You're in a position to win it (in the second set) and sometimes it doesn't quite go your way. You have to go back to what worked for you in the first set.”

Sharapova, who won her lone Wimbledon title in 2004, returns to the semifinals for the first time since 2011.

Muguruza advances to her first Grand Slam Semi

Elsewhere, it was 20th seed Garbine Muguruza facing 15th seed Timea Bacsinszky with each seeking their first Wimbledon semifinal. But after an hour and 26 minutes, it was the Spaniard who advanced, 7-5 6-3.

In a tight first set, Muguruza found success at the net in pressuring the Swiss, who would strike 15 unforced errors. She would eventually seize the only break of service in the competitive set. As Bacsinszky served at 5-6, Muguruza would strike, gaining a one-set advantage in the match.

Both players would drop their serves early in the second set but settled into a groove as the set advanced. For a period, Bacsinszky found success mixing an array of shots that drew unforced errors from the Spaniard. However, a determined Muguruza would seize control of the set midway through and rattled off the last three games to defeat the 26-year-old.

Muguruza was thrilled to advance to the semifinals. “It is just amazing. I am so happy. It was a very tough match and I am just so excited. The last game was very intense,” she said. “It is very hard to make the last four of Wimbledon, so to achieve this I am very proud.”

Radwanska eliminates Keys

Meanwhile, Madison Keys looked to continue a successful tournament by American women as she faced veteran Agnieszka Radwanska. But it was the 13th seed advancing with a tough 7-6 3-6 6-3 win.

In a contrast of styles, both players played to their strengths early. As Keys attempted to wield her power, the speedy Radwanska used quickness and shot placement to her advantage. With both firmly staying within their game plans, the set advanced to a tiebreak. There, the Pole capped off a smart, clean set as she raced through the tiebreak to take the first set.

In the second set, both players maintained control of service games early, but as the set moved forward, it was Keys who finally found an opportunity in the eighth game. She quickly jumped out to a 0-40 advantage and held on to gain the one break she would need to close out the set and even the match. It was a set in which the American continued her aggression but cleaned up some costly errors that plagued her in the first set.

In the decisive third set, neither could find any traction on the opponent’s serve. There were no break opportunities for either until the eighth game when the Pole, using crafty shots and intelligent play, finally broke through. The American appeared to rush some shots, showing some impatience down the stretch.

And with the poise of a champion, Radwanska would serve out the match, giving her a berth in the semifinals. It was a result that she did not expect when the tournament began. “To be honest, I did not really see myself in the semifinals here so few weeks after Roland Garros,” she admitted. “I knew that grass is much better for me, but after that match in Paris, I wouldn’t expect the semifinal here, that’s for sure. I had a lot of good matches before Wimbledon and had a lot more confidence after those weeks on grass.”

Radwanska will meet Muguruza in another match that will showcase two entirely different playing styles.