Wimbledon 2012 Results: Most Surprising Performances in Women's 4th Round

Manic Monday lived up to its name on the women's side of the draw at Wimbledon. Several surprising results highlighted the round and will have a major impact on the rest of the tournament, which is now wide open with No. 1 Maria Sharapova out.

Let's take a look at three players who wowed the All England Club crowds and asserted themselves as contenders for the season's third and most prestigious Grand Slam event. For a full look the results, visit the tournament's official site.

Sabine Lisicki

Not only did Lisicki eliminate Sharapova, who won the French Open, but she did it in straight sets without the drama usually associated with a huge upset. It was one of the most impressive showings in either draw to this point.

Perhaps the biggest reason for optimism for Lisicki was her ability to match, and even exceed at times, Sharapova's power. There are only a few players capable of doing that. It bodes well for her chances at Wimbledon, as well as in the future.

Lisicki finished the match with 18 winners and converted four of six break chances. It's always difficult for a player to maintain such a high level of play after picking up a marquee win, but that's what Lisicki will need against Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinals.

Victoria Azarenka

The fact Azarenka eliminated former top-ranked player Ana Ivanovic wasn't a surprise, but the manner in which she did it was. The 22-year-old star from Belarus dropped only a single game in two sets en route to the easy victory.

Although she was widely overlooked coming into the event with most of the focus on Sharapova and Serena Williams, her complete destruction of Ivanovic, who was playing well in her own right prior to the match, should put the other top players on notice.

Azarenka smacked 19 winners, using a combination of power and accuracy that will be difficult to beat if she keeps rolling. She already won a major title earlier in the season at the Australian Open. A second one wouldn't be a surprise.

Angelique Kerber

Kim Clijsters was writing a nice Wimbledon farewell story before Kerber brought an abrupt end to it on Monday. The young German made quick work of the veteran, losing just one game in each set and getting off the court in 49 minutes.

What immediately stands out about Kerber is her versatility. She can stand on the baseline and hit with anybody, but also has enough talent to make plays at net. That's something fans are seeing less and less with the rise of pure power players like Sharapova, Williams and Petra Kvitova.

She will face off with her countrywoman Lisicki in the quarterfinals. It's a difficult match, but not having to face Sharapova is a nice treat and certainly opens up the draw for her. Now she has to find a way to take advantage of it.