Wimbledon 2011 day eight – in pictures

After Monday's searing heat, Tuesday's spectators have come braced for thunderstorms Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

At least there's a roof on centre court, allowing the women's quarter-finals matches to continue as scheduled Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Germany's Sabine Lisicki (pictured) is playing France's Marion Bartoli Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Bartoli defeated Serena Williams in the fourth round, but she is being given the run around by Lisicki who wins the first set 6-4 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Bartoli saves three match points before claiming the second set on a tie-break Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Lisicki puts an iced towel around her neck and tries to refocus Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The exhaustion from matches in successive days proves too much for Bartoli in the third set, while Lisicki is looking formidable on serve Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Lisicki cruises through the third set 6-1 and wins through to the semi-final. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

She's the first German woman to reach a grand slam last four since Steffi Graf 12 years ago Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Bartoli and Lisicki embrace after the match Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Another player with his eyes on a semi-final berth is Andy Murray Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Having defeated Richard Gasquet in straight sets yesterday, the Scot will face the Spaniard Feliciano Lopez on Wednesday. Wonder if McIlroy, who blew a four shot lead at the Masters before claiming the Open, can offer him any advice on holding his nerve? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Murray's practice session doesn't appear to be going so well Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

A huge downpour stops play on the outside courts in the middle of the afternoon Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Golfer Colin Montgomerie (back row) and comedian Rob Brydon don't look particularly amused as they await more action Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Spectators take cover and watch events on a television under Centre Court Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Maria Sharapova's match with Dominkia Cibulkova provides the chance for an upset. Sharapova, a three-times grand slam winner, is the fifth female seed in the singles competition Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Sharapova stands 11 inches taller than her Slovakian opponent Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

And size does appear to matter in this contest as Cibulkova loses the opening set 6-1 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Sharapova's boyfriend Sasha Vujacic, a professional basketball player with the New Jersey Nets, cheers as the Russian eases through the first set Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Sharapova eventually wins 6-1, 6-1 to book her place in the semi-final Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The 2004 Wimbledon champion blows kisses to the crowd Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

In the final match of the afternoon, Victoria Azarenka faces Tamira Paszek on court one Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The action is short-lived as the players complain to the umpire and the referee that the court is slippery. Play is suspended after just three games and, rather unusually, transferred to centre court where Azarenka wins 6-2, 6-2 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian