Tournament favourites Roger Federer and Serena Williams have both lost their quarter final matches to be knocked out of the Beijing Olympics.

Federer, who will shortly lose his world number one crown to Spaniard Rafael Nadal, lost in straight sets to eighth seed James Blake of the United States in just over ninety minutes 6-4, 7-6(2).

Serena Williams looked in control against fifth seed Elena Dementieva before the Russian stepped up her game to progress to the semi finals in three sets 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

In the day’s other completed quarter final, eighth seed Vera Zvonareva also progressed to the semi’s after defeating unseeded Sybille Bammer of Austria 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

With play starting two hours later than in previous days, three more singles matches are currently in progress. Here is an update on those matches:

Beijing Olympics Quarter Final Tennis Live Scoreboard
Last update at 1.42am AEST 15 August 2008.

1.38am Update - Fernando Gonzalez wins first set against Paui-Henri Mathieu; Novak Djokovic about to send match with Gael Monfils into deciding set; Li Na just one game away from victory against Venus Williams. Full results will be published before the commencement of Day Seven of the Beijing Olympics.

Li Na (China) leads Venus Williams (United States) 7-5, 6-5
Gael Monfils (France) leads Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 6-4, 1-5
Fernando Gonzalez (Chile) leads Paul-Henri Mathieu (France) 6-4

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Tags: beijing olympics, sport, Tennis