Women sport news

Luperini still sits pretty in blue as one lone rider upsets the potential bunch sprint on stage 5.

Wow what a quarterfinal match between defending Champion Petra Kvitova and former Champion Serena Williams. Williams having not been at the top of her game coming into the tournament must have real fire in her belly when it comes to playing here at SW19.

Surprise losses for top seed Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters yesterday. Sharapova's face said it all when she lost the first set then struggled to gain her form in the second losing in the end to Germany's Sabine Lisicki in straight sets. Kim Clijsters also lost to German Angelique Kerber 61 61. Defending Champion Petra Kvitova didn't have it all her own way but pulled back to win the third against Francesa Schiavone.

Luperini solidifies her lead as best Italian rider at the Giro d¹Italia Faren Honda¹s Fabiana Luperini looked comfortable as she crossed the line in 7th position in today¹s 4th stage of the Giro d¹Italia Femminile.

Sabine Lisicki against Maria Sharapova and Angelique Kerber against Kim Clijsters – the Porsche Team Germany players have a tough job on their hands in the round of the last 16 in Wimbledon.

Faren Honda's Fabiana Luperini set a blistering pace up the penultimate climb in Stage 3 leaving the straggling peloton in her wake as she claimed 2nd place behind a late attack from breakaway companion Evelyn Stevens (USA) from team Specialized Lululemon.

The first ever Curlew Cup elite women's race was won yesterday by Paralympian Sarah Storey. On Saturday more than 3,000 riders from pros to club cyclists to young families took to the road for the 33, 63 and gruelling 104 mile Virgin Money Cyclone Challenge rides around Northumberland’s beautiful countryside.

England Women celebrated a double victory on Sunday when they lifted the European Sevens Series title in Moscow, beating Spain 27-7 in the final, and in doing so qualified for next year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens.

Thunderbirds are go for Finals, Mystics to play Vixens in Major Semi-final, Winning finish for Fever, Vixens wrap up minor premiership, plus more. photo ANZ

Day 8 at Wimbledon brings to you the first ladies draw of the final 16 with last year's semifinal between Maria Sharapova and Sabine Lisicki to be played on Court one. Ana Ivanovic and Victoria Azarenka play on Centre Court while Kim Clijsters is still looking for that Wimbledon Title she plays German Angelique Kerber on court 3.

Rwanda women captured the gold medal of the CAVB Junior Beach Volleyball Cup following their victory over the south African teams in the final matches held at Lome Beach in Togo capital on Sunday. photo FIVB

World No. 1 the United States beat the host China in straight sets here Sunday evening to claim their third consecutive World Grand Prix title with an amazing unbeaten record. photo FIVB

In the scorching temperatures of 38-40 degrees, Team Faren Honda agreed that it was crucial to conserve energy in Rome during the 7.2km Individual Time Trial today, which passed right by the Coliseum.

There will be no British women's 4x100 metres relay team at the London Olympics after they were disqualified from the European Championships and overtaken in the world rankings.

No real upsets at SW19 today, with bright sunshine the script went according to plan with defending Champion Petra Kvitova sweeping her opponent aside 61 60. Serena Williams was on court for hours until she eventually defeated Zheng Jie of China 9-7 in the third set. Azarenka and and Ivanovic also continue

Saturday brings four big names to the courts. Defending Champion Petra Kvitova is up on court one, as is former Champion Serena Williams who walks onto centre court. Sister Venus will be playing doubles and Victoria Azarenka on court 2. No big surprises yesterday at Wimbledon with top seed Maria Sharapova easily winning her third round tie defeating Hsieh Su-Wei of Tapai in straight sets. Clijsters, Radwanska and Maria Kirilenko also through.

Netball may not be played at the Olympics yet, but our sport was in the Olympic spotlight this week when one of English netball's stalwarts, Denise Egan, was selected to carry the Olympic torch during its journey through the British Isles. Plus more news from around the globe.

The USSSA Pride returned to Rosemont for their second series against the Bandits this season. The Bandits took the first series three games to one and continued their hot streak Thursd

The Cuban team made 28 mistakes and suffered its third consecutive loss at the 2012 World Grand Prix Finals on Friday, downed by Brazil 3-0. photo FIVB

World No. 1 and World Grand Prix title holders the United States and Turkey both recorded their second straight victories at the 2012 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Finals here on Thursday. photo FIVB

The Haier Pulse go into the final round of the 2012 ANZ Championship with one aim in mind and that is to have another go at winning on Australian soil says head coach Robyn Broughton.

England Women beat India by eight wickets to claim the 2012 NatWest Women's T20 Series at Chelmsford today. photo by Christopher Lee

Marion Bartoli is the latest seed to crash out of Wimbledon in the second round. The French Player went out in straight sets to qualifier Mirjana Lucic 64 63. Defending Champion Petra Kvitova, Williams, Azarenka and Sharapova all through.

Jenny Meadows (coach: Trevor Painter) has had to pull out of the 800m in Helsinki. Meghan Beesley (Nick Dakin) bowed out of the European Championships in the semi-finals. The Birchfield Harrier finished last in a time of 57.32. Plus more

RUS - The shooting extraordinaire RIGA (Olympics) - Elena Danilochkina didn’t just help Russia win the EuroBasket Women last year in Poland to qualify for the London Games. photo FIBA

A first-half brace from Jill Scott set Hope Powell’s side on their way and Karen Carney made it 3-0 just after the restart, rounding Sonja Cevnik to tap into an unguarded net. FA