Wimbledon 2014: Simona Halep to face Eugenie Bouchard in semis

Third seed Simona Halep will meet Eugenie Bouchard in the Wimbledon semi-finals after both completed straight-sets quarter-final victories.

Romanian Halep, the highest seed left in the draw, defeated 2013 finalist Sabine Lisicki 6-4 6-0.

Bouchard, the 13th seed from Canada, reached her third Grand Slam semi-final of the year with a 6-3 6-4 win over German Angelique Kerber.

Czech pair Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova will meet in the other semi.

Kerber, the ninth seed, was back on court less than 24 hours after a three-set win over 2004 champion Maria Sharapova.

The German was presented with four break points in the seventh game but Bouchard, the 2012 girls' champion, raised her game to save each one and, as she began to attack the Kerber second serve, forced openings of her own.

Just like her opponent, Kerber went on to save four break points in the following game, but, when a backhand return winner forced a fifth, Bouchard this time took her chance to go 5-3 ahead.

From then on, there seemed an inevitability about the result, as Bouchard held serve to win the set and then broke twice in the second as Kerber became increasingly forlorn.

Kerber managed to break back and even forced two break points when Bouchard was serving for the match but, just as in the first set, the 20-year-old was up to the task of saving them.

When the first match point came, Kerber pushed a forehand to wide to send Bouchard into the last four.

"It was definitely a tough battle," she told BBC Sport afterwards. "I have played her a few times now and it's always been really tough. I knew it wasn't over but I stuck in and managed to pull it off.

"I knew I couldn't think ahead and had to stay in the moment and I just tried to play my game."

Like Bouchard, Halep, 22, has surged up the rankings.

She was 47th in the world at the beginning of 2013 but a fine run of form that started last summer has brought her seven titles and her first Grand Slam final appearance.

She was beaten in the final of this year's French Open by Sharapova.

Less experienced on grass than 19th seed Lisicki, who in addition to reaching the final last year also made the last four 2011 and the quarter-finals in 2012, Halep surrendered her serve in the second game of the match but warmed to her task to break back in the seventh.

Another break in the ninth was enough for the set and, as Lisicki's serve crumbled, the increasingly impressive Halep sprinted to the last four.

"It wasn't as easy at it looked," she told BBC Sport afterwards. "I had a slow start but then I came back well. I played my best and I enjoyed every moment being on Centre Court so I am happy I could win in two sets and prepare for the next match."

"I have more confidence and the secret is to enjoy and fight for every point. I like how I hit and move and I enjoy every moment. I don't feel the pressure. I just want to enjoy it and give my best."

Simona Halep has served 19 aces in the tournament compared to Petra Kvitova's 30

Eugenie Bouchard's win means she has reached the semi-finals of three Grand Slams this year