Tennis,Davydenko falls victim to Berdych

Davydenko falls victim to Berdych

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

Number 20 seed Tomas Berdych produced a a powerful performance to crush Russia's Nikolay Davydenko 6-2 6-3 6-2 and make Wimbledon's fourth round.

Davydenko had won all of the pair's previous eight meetings, but could not cope with the variety of the Czech's serve and power of his ground strokes.

In another upset tenth seed Fernando Gonzalez fell to Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Meanwhile Tommy Haas clinched an epic five-set victory over Marin Cilic and Andy Roddick beat Jurgen Melzer.

Berdych, who beat Britain's Alex Bogdanovic in the first round, wobbled briefly in the closing stages of the match.

But 12th seed Davydenko could not take advantage and his unimpressive Wimbledon record, where he has never been beyond the fourth round, continues.

Former world number one Ferrero defied his current ranking of 70 to take a thrilling Court One encounter 4-6 7-5 6-4 4-6 6-4.

The Spaniard faced down eight of the ten break points Gonzalez had against him, including three in the deciding set.

As Gonzalez served to stay in the match in the tenth game, Ferrero forced his way to match point and saw the pressure tell as the Chilean sent a second serve long.

Haas' match with Cilic had been stopped at 6-6 in the decider at 2133 BST on Friday and it was the German number 24 who stole ahead after the resumption to seize victory 7-5 7-5 1-6 6-7 (3-7) 10-8.

Cilic's powerful first serve delivered 26 aces through the match for the 11th seed but fatally faltered as the fifth wore on to allow Haas into the fourth round.

Haas goes on to play Russian Igor Andreev, while Jurgen Melzer or Andy Roddick now await the 23-year-old Berdych.

After coming through four-and-a-half hours of drama over two days, 31-year-old Haas said: "I don't know why they don't have lights here.

"I have never stopped a match a 6-6 before in the final set. It's tough to come back but I'm happy to get through.

"I think they should be like the US Open and have a tie-break in the final set. I could hardly get out of bed today, but the adrenaline took over."

Another thrilling encounter to resume following the late-night drama on Friday night was 29th seed Andreev against Italian Andreas Seppi.

Andreev led overnight by two sets to one with the fourth set tied at 5-5, and the Russian wasted little time in coming through a tie-break 7-5 to secure the victory.

Meanwhile Roddick produced another powerful display by beating Jurgen Melzer 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 6-3 in the second match on Centre Court.

Predictably serve dominated with no breaks until Melzer took Roddick's serve in the fifth game of the third set.

Roddick broke in the fourth game of the fourth set and although Melzer hit straight back the sixth seed broke back immediately and went on to win it.

I need to improve in week two - Roddick

Afterwards the American told BBC Sport: "He served so well today and is such a good player especially on grass. I was lucky to get through there in that fourth set.

"I have room for improvement and I would like to break serve a little bit more.

"It seems I can't break until I get to the fourth set and every time I've had a bunch of break points I can't convert them and then my opponents have one and they convert it."

Dark clouds started to hover above the All England Club in the fourth set, prompting speculation that the roof would be closed over a match for the first time.

However the contest was finished without the heavens opening and Roddick added: "I was thinking let's get out of here before being one of the famous two to play under the roof for the first time. It looks beautiful but I don't want to be a part of it."

Lleyton Hewitt, who won the men's singles title in 2002, secured his place in the last 16 for the fourth year in the row with a 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 win over Germany's Philipp Petzschner.

The Australian, who is coming back to form after hip surgery last August, paid tribute to his vociferous band of supporters.

"I felt the whole crowd was really into it. It was a good atmosphere," he said.

"It is a background noise but it works perfectly for me because I can feed off them when I need to."

Hewitt will meet the Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek who overcame David Ferrer in five sets 7-5 7-5 3-6 4-6 6-4.

French number eight seed Gilles Simon reached the fourth round for the first time with a comfortable 6-2 7-5 6-2 win over Romania's Victor Hanescu.

Stanislas Wawrinka is Andy Murray's opponent in the last 16 after the Swiss number 19 seed beat the USA's Jesse Levine 5-7 7-5 6-3 6-3.

Tennis,Kuznetsova and Jankovic crash out

Kuznetsova and Jankovic crash out

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

Highlights - Kuznetsova stunned by Lisicki

Svetlana Kuznetsova and Jelena Jankovic were both shock casualties in the third round at Wimbledon on Saturday.

Fifth seed and French Open champion Kuznetsova was blown away 6-2 7-5 on her 24th birthday by the unseeded 19-year-old German Sabine Lisicki.

The hard-serving Lisicki broke the Russian five times and will play ninth seed Caroline Wozniacki in the last 16.

Jankovic, ranked sixth, was well beaten by 17-year-old American qualifier Melanie Oudin over three intense sets.

Lisicki delighted with 'huge' Kuznetsova scalp

Lisicki, who went out in the first round at her All England Club debut last year, passed up four other match points before a Kuznetsova backhand strayed wide to seal her victory.

It had seemed that Kuznetsova may be able to exploit Lisicki's nerves after breaking back as the world number 41 served for the match.

But the youngster recovered her poise and Kuznetsova eventually cracked after finding herself worked all around Court One.

"I just told myself to play one point at a time because I had nothing to lose," Lisicki said.

"It is a huge win for me because before I came to this Wimbledon I hadn't won a match on grass."

Oudin, world number 124 and making her first visit to Wimbledon, produced a stunning performance to upset Jankovic 6-7 (8-10) 7-5 6-2 to make the final 16.

The 24-year-old Serb seemed to be heading for a routine victory when serving at 5-4 in the opener but then the game turned on its head.

The teenage American wasted three set points during a monumental tie-break, and despite losing it 10-8, Jankovic's game slowly crumbled with her movement increasingly restricted.

An injury and medical time-out lasting nearly 12 minutes suggested she had problems and Oudin took full advantage with her ferocious forehand to win a nervy second set.

Although the 2008 US Open runner-up exhibited occasional glimpses of her power-game, the lively American, the youngest player left in the draw, never stopped chasing.

After amazingly dominating Jankovic from the baseline, she flew through the third set to secure a fully-deserved victory to set up a clash with Polish 11th seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

A thrilled Oudin said: "I think I handled it really well. I was just thinking she was any other player and this was any other match at any other tournament, not like on the biggest stage at Wimbledon playing my first top 10 player.

Not the greatest of birthday presents for Kuznetsova on Court One

"I knew I was right there with her every single point, so I knew I could do it if I just kept trying and kept fighting.

"I'm very excited right now. But I'm hoping there will be better days too."

Jankovic said she was not affected by the heat but could not recover from feeling ill during the match.

"The conditions were tough but that was not my problem," she said. "In the first set I felt really dizzy and felt like I was going to end up in the hospital. I started to shake and that I was losing my consciousness.

"I thought I was going to fall down or have to call the ambulance or leave the court but I came back and started to fell a little bit better.

"However I felt weak and did not have the power in the shots and I was not the same player.

"It was very difficult for me to play in the circumstances and it made me as well quite nervous. I tried my best but did not have enough energy to hit the shots and go after the shots."

Tennis,Davydenko falls victim to Berdych

Davydenko falls victim to Berdych

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

Number 20 seed Tomas Berdych produced a a powerful performance to crush Russia's Nikolay Davydenko 6-2 6-3 6-2 and make Wimbledon's fourth round.

Davydenko had won all of the pair's previous eight meetings, but struggled with the variety of the Czech's serve and power of his ground strokes.

And, despite a late wobble from Berdych, he could not fight back.

Meanwhile Tommy Haas clinched an epic five-set victory over Marin Cilic in a match delayed from Friday evening.

The players had stopped play at 6-6 in the decider, and it was the German number 24 who stole ahead after the resumption to seize victory 7-5 7-5 1-6 6-7 (3-7) 10-8.

Cilic's powerful first serve delivered 26 aces through the match for the 11th seed but fatally faltered as the fifth wore on to allow Haas into the fourth round.

Haas goes on to play Russian Igor Andreev, while Jurgen Melzer or Andy Roddick now await the 23-year-old Berdych.

After coming through four-and-a-half hours of drama over two days, 31-year-old Haas said: "I don't know why they don't have lights here.

"I have never stopped a match a 6-6 before in the final set. It's tough to come back but I'm happy to get through.

"I think they should be like the US Open and have a tie-break in the final set. I could hardly get out of bed today, but the adrenaline took over."

Another thrilling encounter to resume following the late-night drama on Friday night was 29th seed Andreev against Italian Andreas Seppi.

Andreev led overnight by two sets to one with the fourth set tied at 5-5, and the Russian wasted little time in coming through a tie-break 7-5 to secure the victory.

Tennis,Confident Venus makes round four

Confident Venus makes round four

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

Highlights - Venus powers into last 16

Venus Williams produced a dominant display to avenge her shock defeat to Carla Suarez Navarro at the Australian Open by beating her 6-0 6-4.

The defending champion took the first set in 33 minutes, after winning most of the baseline rallies and playing some great winners at the net.

Venus went 2-0 up in the second set before Navarro finally staged a rally by winning three successive games.

However Venus regained control and broke in game nine before serving out.

Venus set the tone for the match by breaking in the very first game and although Navarro had game points she could not convert them and failed to win a single game in the first set.

She looked to be heading for a rapid exit when the pattern continued at the start of the second set before the Spaniard finally held her serve with an ace.

Confidence surged through her and she immediately went 40-0 up on Venus' serve before taking the second of her break points.

606: DEBATE Can Venus retain her title?

She then survived two break points to hold again and move ahead in the set but that was as good as it got.

Venus held comfortably and Navarro also held - but only after fighting off another three break points.

The writing was on the wall and after Venus held again to level at 4-4, she broke the unseeded player and quickly wrapped up the match.

Venus told BBC Sport she was delighted with her progress through the tournament so far.

Venus 'loving' first week success

"Right now I am just where I want to be and I am loving it," she said.

"I was really enjoying myself out there today. I worked on moving forward against her as she is a very fast and competitive player. She strikes the ball very well and I was happy to close it out.

"I am enjoying it so much here in the singles and the doubles. When you win at Wimbledon there is not much better than that."

Speaking about concerns over the strapping on her left knee, she added: "I love the strapping, it is very supportive and I need the support right now."

And she wasn't phased by the heat, adding with a smile: "I am a Florida girl - I needed a sweater!"

Venus now faces 13th seed Ana Ivanovic on Monday.

Tennis,Murray eyes place in second week

Murray eyes place in second week

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

World number three Murray is the highest seed in his side of the draw

By Piers Newbery

Britain's Andy Murray will attempt to take his Wimbledon campaign into a second week when he plays Serbia's Viktor Troicki on Saturday.

The Scot's third-round match will be third on Centre Court, with a place in the last 16 at stake.

Murray, 22, goes into the match as the strong favourite against 30th seed Troicki, who is in the third round of a Grand Slam for only the second time.

Andy Roddick and Venus Williams are among the others playing on Saturday.

Venus faces Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro in the opening match on Centre at 1300 BST, with Roddick's third-round encounter against Jurgen Melzer to follow.

But it is Murray who will be the centre of attention again as he continues his bid to win a first Grand Slam title and become the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1936.

After a testing opening win over American Robby Kendrick, Murray was on top form in his straight-sets demolition of Ernests Gulbis in round two on Thursday.

I think if draws open up and the body feels good and I can execute that kind of style of tennis for over five sets, there's no reason why I can't put a bit of pressure on these guys Lleyton Hewitt

The Briton made just five unforced errors and served superbly, prompting John McEnroe to say, "I can't ever recall Andy serving bigger or better. Andy showed exactly why he is number three in the world and one of the favourites for the final."

And Murray himself said: "It was very good. I served really good for the whole match, and when I did get myself into a point on his service game I made him work very hard for the points, hit some good passing shots.

"I finished points off really well, didn't make any basic errors, so it was very good."

Troicki is at a career high of 31 in the world but came through a long five-setter against Daniel Gimeno-Traver that finished late on Thursday, and is much more comfortable on hard courts than grass.

He has played Murray twice before, losing both times and winning only one game in their most recent encounter in Miami in March.

"Even in juniors he was always the top and he has improved so much in the last year," said the 23-year-old.

"He's playing great. He's one of the favourites to win it.

"I need to play aggressive, play smart, give my best and hope that I can play my best tennis. I need to believe I can win these matches against the top players."

Troicki will also have to contend with the home crowd, who did not have to help Murray a great deal against Gulbis, such was the third seed's dominance.

"At the big stages of the match, like the end of the second set, the crowd got right behind me," he said.

"When I had break points, they got noisier. A lot of my service games were quite comfortable and a lot of very short points, so I guess it would have been tough to get really, really into the match.

"There weren't that many long rallies but when I needed the support, it was always there."

One man who got vociferous backing on Thursday was 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt, who knocked out fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro, and the Australian takes on Germany's Philipp Petzschner in Saturday's second match on Court Two.

Asked if he felt he could challenge for the title, Hewitt said: "Absolutely. I think there's been patches this year when I've played extremely well. It's taken some of the best players to beat me in the bigger tournaments.

"I think if draws open up and the body feels good and I can execute that kind of style of tennis for over five sets, there's no reason why I can't put a bit of pressure on these guys."

World number one Dinara Safina will follow Hewitt and Petzschner onto Court Two and victory over Belgian Kirsten Flipkens will take the Russian into the fourth round for the first time.

"I'm definitely feeling better this year than previous years, so hopefully this year I can go through step-by-step," she said.

Tennis news,Federer comes through first test

Federer comes through first test

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

Federer sees off Kohlschreiber

By Piers Newbery

Roger Federer remains the man to beat at Wimbledon after surviving his first serious test against 27th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round.

Federer, going for a sixth Wimbledon title, withstood a fightback from the German to win 6-3 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-1.

The threat of rain seemed the only way he might be derailed early on but there proved no need to give the Centre Court roof its debut in a competitive match.

Federer lost his rhythm in the latter stages but won in two hours 31 minutes.

Next up will be Robin Soderling, who beat Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 6-4 to set up a repeat of the French Open final, which the Swiss won.

Federer is trying to win a record 15th Grand Slam title, and the absence of world number one and defending champion Rafael Nadal through injury means he is the favourite to do so.

Federer 'excited' about second week

On the back of finally landing a first French Open title earlier this month and so completing the set of Grand Slams, he looked completely untroubled in his first two matches at the All England Club.

And taking on Kohlschreiber was certainly not a daunting prospect for Federer, who went into the match with a 3-0 record against the German including two wins on grass in Halle.

It was no surprise when the world number two raced into an early lead but from 4-0, 40-15, the Swiss had a lapse of concentration.

Kohlschreiber recovered to get one break back, held serve and then moved to 0-30 at 4-2 down.

For Federer at Wimbledon this year it constituted a mini crisis, and he quickly regained his focus and served his way out of trouble before easing through the rest of the set.

A stunning drop volley on the stretch helped the 27-year-old break at the start of the second and by now Kohlschreiber was struggling to win points, let alone games.

Federer broke again before wrapping up the set after just 68 minutes with a sublime lob followed by two aces, and a couple of forehand winners had him a break up at the start of the third.

That appeared to be the beginning of the end for Kohlschreiber, but a few more unforced errors from Federer and the occasional blistering winner from the German made the third set a tight affair.

Kohlschreiber saw a couple of break points go begging in game four as he failed to make effective returns at the key times but made no mistake when the chance came again, levelling at 4-4 thanks in part to a net cord.

It was the German who now had the edge, moving 4-1 clear in the ensuing tie-break and soon earning two set points, the second of which he took with a rasping cross-court backhand.

Any hopes Kohlschreiber had of turning the screw receded when he double-faulted to again drop serve at the start of the fourth set but Federer was now struggling for consistency, and had to save a break-back point in the following game.

The Swiss got the security of a second break with a huge forehand pass on the run in game six but had to stave off another two break points when he served for the match, finally sealing it with a forehand winner.

Tennis news,Serena sweeps into fourth round

Serena sweeps into fourth round

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

By Chris Bevan

Serena celebrates after booking her place in the fourth round

Serena Williams overcame a late wobble against Roberta Vinci to win 6-3 6-4 and reach the last 16 at Wimbledon.

The second seed, champion in 2002 and 2003, was surprisingly asked to play on the new Court Two but the unfamiliar surroundings did not affect her game.

Vinci, the world number 53 from Italy, battled gamely but simply did not have the weapons to keep Williams at bay.

Some unforced errors at 4-1 in the second set held up Williams' charge but she steadied herself to seal victory.

Playing on the outside courts is something Williams has had to get used to in recent years and she insisted playing on the smaller stage did not bother her.

"I always played on [the old] Court Two anyway," she said afterwards. "It's not a court for Roger Federer but it's a court for me - but then he has five won titles, I guess two are not enough.

"I enjoyed myself. The court had a challenge system and it worked for me. I could also get far more involved with the crowd, and I liked it."

Williams, who lost to her sister Venus in last year's final, will play unseeded Daniela Hantuchova in the fourth round, after the Slovakian beat her doubles partner Ai Sugiyama in straight sets.

Michael Jackson 'a sad loss' - Serena

She is unlikely to find it as easy against Hantuchova as she did here - with her biggest hiccup being her late arrival that kept her opponent waiting on court for almost 10 minutes past the intended start time of 12 noon.

Williams explained the delay was not deliberate and explained afterwards: "I thought someone was coming to get me. I was warming up and waiting but nobody did.

"I didn't know what to do, so in the end I just walked out there on my own."

Once play began, the American was immediately into her stride - holding serve to love, then breaking Vinci with some rasping winners from either flank.

She stumbled in the next game, allowing Vinci to break back, but quickly rediscovered her range with her thumping groundstrokes to move 3-1 ahead and from then on the first set was a formality

Williams kept up the pressure and it appeared she would quickly wrap things up when she broke twice in the second set to move 4-1 ahead.

But for the first time, errors began to creep into her game and Vinci took advantage, using her drop shot to good effect and forcing Williams to work harder for her win.

The end for Vinci eventually came after an hour and seven minutes, with Williams ending the match in the same way she began it - with an ace.

It was a useful work-out for the two-time champion, who showed signs she is close to finding her best form ahead of the second week at SW19.

Tennis news,Dementieva powers past Kulikova

Dementieva powers past Kulikova

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

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Dementieva had few problems on a balmy Friday afternoon

Fourth seed Elena Dementieva eased into the fourth round after seeing off fellow Russian Regina Kulikova 6-1 6-2.

The reigning Olympic champion sailed through the opener and despite a break in the second set, wrapped up the win.

Eighth seed Victoria Azarenka edged out Sorana Cirstea and Nadia Petrova, 10th seed, beat Gisela Dulko in three sets.

An ankle injury forced Russia's seventh seed Vera Zvonareva to withdraw ahead of her third-round clash with France's 26th seed Virginie Razzano.

One seed to fall on Friday was Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova, world ranked 14, who lost in three tight sets to Russian Elena Vesnina 7-5 4-6 6-4.

It was tough luck on 24-year-old Zvonareva, who reached the semi-finals of this year's Australian Open.

Her enforced exit was not a big surprise. She has struggled since injuring her right ankle in April which ruled her out for eight weeks and meant she missed the French Open.

Dementieva, 26 and another star from Moscow, blew her opponent away in the first set as she conceded just one game.

After breaking at the start of the second, Dementieva was in cruise-control but Kulikova showed signs of her potential talent when she broke back to level at 1-1.

It was an effort appreciated by the Court One crowd and despite a handful of dazzling ralleys, the expected-rain was the only thing that was going to halt Dementieva's dominance and she soon served out to wrap up the win.

Dementieva, who next plays Vesnina, told BBC Sport: "I was focused and very aggressive and I am satisfied with the way I am playing.

"Even a match that finished 6-1 6-2 we had some good rallies and it was a good match to prepare for the tougher matches that are coming up.

Kulikova win was good test - Dementieva

Commenting on Kulikova, who had come through qualifying and then won two matches on her Grand Slam debut, Dementieva added: "She is a very good player. She was very impressive through the whole week.

"Maybe I was too aggressive for her and just didn't really give her a chance to play her game.

"I'm sure it was a very nervous moment for her to step on to Court One, such a big stadium, and play for the first time. I think she needs some experience for sure."

Petrova, 27, took a long to settle against the unseeded Dulko, with the elegant Argentine grabbing the first set.

However, Dulko, who dumped out Maria Sharapova in the previous round, looked increasingly tense and after losing the second set, her erratic errors proved costly, despite a valiant effort in the final game of the match.

Petrova came through winning 3-6 6-3 6-4.

Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova had few problems in seeing off Japan's Ai Sugiyama 6-4 6-3 to make the fourth round.

Tennis,Karlovic power overwhelms Tsonga

Karlovic power overwhelms Tsonga

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

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Highlights: Karlovic sees off Tsonga

A display of raw serving power earned Ivo Karlovic a 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 7-6 (7-5) win over France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Wimbledon's third round.

The giant Croat sent down a total of 46 aces as the ninth seed found himself comprehensively outgunned.

After trading tie-breaks, Karlovic broke in the last game of the third before seizing his second match point.

Robin Soderling beat Spain's Nicolas Almagro to advance while Fernando Verdasco overcame Albert Montanes.

Karlovic's formidable power was in early evidence as he blasted his way out of a potentially tricky situation at 0-30 down in the opening set's eighth game with four successive aces.

Frenchman Tsonga's own serve was operating well, earning him nine aces in the first set, but a single mini-break was enough to secure an early lead for his 30-year-old opponent.

The crowd rallied behind the world number nine and he levelled in similar style as the third point of the tie-break saw him snatch a rare rally on the Karlovic serve.

But a deft drop-volley from Karlovic converted the first of two break points in the closing stages of the third, and he was equally ruthless when a thin net cord deceived Tsonga and handed him the chance to take the match.

Soderling, the tournament's 13th seed, edged a lengthy tie-break in the opener before easing to a 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 6-4 victory in two hours.

The French Open finalist converted two of six break points during the match and also hit 43 winners against the 48th-ranked player.

The 24-year-old Swede will next play world number two Roger Federer who eased past Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Verdasco beats Montanes in four sets

Tennis,Baltacha bid ends in heavy defeat

Baltacha bid ends in heavy defeat

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

Elena Baltacha's bid to reach the third round at Wimbledon for the first time since 2002 was ended by a comprehensive 7-5 6-1 defeat by Kirsten Flipkens.

Baltacha, the last British woman left in the singles, made a promising start and broke to lead 3-1 early on.

But the 25-year-old's serve faltered and a series of errors at 5-6 let her Belgian opponent snatch the first set.

Flipkens, the world 110, is ranked four places below Baltacha but ran away with the second set to seal a crushing win.

Baltacha's defeat leaves Andy Murray - who plays Ernests Gulbis of Latvia in his second-round match later on Thursday - as the only British survivor from 11 entrants in the singles.

And, in truth, it was a disappointing exit for the Scot, who had beaten Flipkens, 23, in both of their previous meetings and was playing for a chance to take on world number one Dinara Safina.

JONATHAN OVEREND BLOG head coach Nigel Sears says results in the grass court season haven't reflected the progress the British women have made

Initially, Baltacha's thumping serve put her on top in the blazing sunshine, while Flipkens, a former Junior Wimbledon champion, struggled to find her feet.

A succession of double-faults gave Baltacha the first break at 2-1, and she looked in confident mood as she extended her lead.

But sadly for the British fans who had packed out Court Four, Baltacha's own serve began to let her down and Flipkens was soon level at 3-3.

The first set was still wide open but, at 5-6, the British number two crumbled.

Flipkens looked unsettled by a slip and was feeling her thigh but, instead of taking advantage, Baltacha pressed the self-destruct button.

Two unforced errors - either side of a blistering forehand winner by Flipkens - handed the Belgian two set-points and, although Baltacha saved one, she put a weak forehand into the net on the next rally.

Baltacha had come back from losing the first set to beat world number 33 Alona Bondarenko in the first round but there was to be no repeat of that comeback here.

The match became completely one-sided, and Baltacha's increasingly fragile serve was broken twice as Flipkens raced 5-0 ahead in the second set.

Baltacha did save three match-points before getting on the board but it was only a temporary respite as Flipkens easily served out for the match, sinking to her knees after hitting a delicate drop-shot winner to complete her win in an hour and 17 minutes.

Tennis,Slick Venus eases past Bondarenko

Slick Venus eases past Bondarenko

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

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Williams will face Carla Suarez Navarro in the next round

Defending champion Venus Williams breezed into the third round of Wimbledon with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko.

The American third seed showed no ill effects despite some heavy strapping on her left knee, winning in 69 minutes.

Top seed Dinara Safina overcame Rossana De Los Rios 6-3 7-5 and Svetlana Kuznetsova, seeded fifth, claimed a 6-1 6-3 win against Pauline Parmentier.

Former world number one Ana Ivanovic, seeded 13th, beat Sara Errani 7-5 6-1.

Jelena Jankovic and Amelie Mauresmo also play on Thursday.

Next up for Williams is Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro, who overcome Ekaterina Makarova 7-5 4-6 6-1.

The five-time champion pinned Bondarenko back beyond the baseline with an array of powerful ground strokes.

Host of players can challenge me - Venus

After being undone by breaks in the fifth and final games of the first set, Bondarenko defended her serve with a delicate drop-shot in the sixth game of the second that clinched the longest rally of the match.

But the 22-year-old could not conjure another winner when required two points later and Williams wrapped up her 16th successive Wimbledon win with 20 winners to her name.

"That's a great stat for me, a great achievement and I want to make it more. Everything was working for me today," said the 29-year-old.

A jovial Williams played down the knee strapping afterwards and appeared to enjoy keeping reporters guessing over exactly what had prompted her to wear it.

"It was just for support, that's all," she said. "I'll be wearing it in doubles too because it's working out.

"I really hate tape but I needed it this time and I accepted that, because this is Wimbledon."

A losing finalist at this year's Australian and French Opens, Safina has never been beyond the third round at Wimbledon.

Despite a lengthy second set, the Russian always looked in control and did not have to defend any break points as she brushed aside a player ranked 99 places below her.

Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens, who defeated Britain's Elena Baltacha earlier in the day, now stands between her and a career-best performance at SW19.

French Open champion Kuznetsova stormed past France's Parmentier, taking the opening set in 25 minutes and then breaking in the fifth game of the second.

World number 78 Parmentier threatened to hit back immediately, but could not convert from 0-30 and Kuznetsova, 23, cruised to victory.

Kuznetsova's victory could have been even more convincing had she converted more than four of the twelve break points she forced.

But a polished performance from the Russian, which included several well-judged charges to the net, will have fuelled her hopes of becoming the first women since Serena Williams in 2002 to win successive Grand Slam titles.

She was however bemused by the scheduling of some of the matches in the ladies' draw.

"They don't have to put me Centre Court, but the schedule is a little bit weird," said Kuznetsova.

"If you look at the schedule, it's not about only me. It's about Dinara Safina plays on court No. 2, Venus plays on court No. 1, and girls who are not very high-seeded, they play Centre.

Ivanovic is ranked outside the world's top 10 for the first time in two years.

"But in Wimbledon you have to expect anything. That's why I like it, because it's unpredictable."

Ivanovic struggled in her tournament opener where she was twice saw off match points against her before beating Lucie Hradecka, but looked far more comfortable after ending Errani's first-set resistance.

The Serb broke as her Italian opponent served for the opener and, after winning the next two games, repeated the trick twice more early in the second to ensure a more leisurely conclusion.

Ninth seed Caroline Wozniacki takes on Maria Kirilenko on Centre Court later today.

Polish 11th seed Agnieszka Radwanska was taken deep into a third set by China's Shuai Peng before coming through 6-2 6-7 (8-6) 9-7 on Court 14.

Australian 18th seed Sam Stosur, who reached the semi-finals of the French Open earlier this year, was also pushed hard by Germany's Tatjana Malek, but recovered from 4-1 down in the final set to win 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.

China's Na Li, seeded 19th for the tournament, enjoyed a more straightforward victory as she overcame Belarus's Olga Govortsova 6-4 6-2.

Tennis,Roddick powers into third round

Roddick powers into third round

WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July

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Roddick's big serve was for the most part too much for Kunitsyn to handle

Andy Roddick booked his spot in the third round by holding off a mini-fightback from Russian Igor Kunitsyn.

The number six seed breezed through the first two sets but then let his level slip and Kunitsyn took his chance to break and clinch the third.

Roddick's more aggressive stance finally stifled the comeback to ease through the fourth set and wrap up a 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2 win.

Gilles Simon also dropped a set but overcame Thiago Alves 5-7 6-3 6-4 6-4.

More to follow.

Tennis,Women result sheet

Women's Singles | All England Lawn Tennis Championships | Wimbledon, England

2nd Round

Thursday, 25 June 2009

	COUNTRY	SEED			COUNTRY	SEED	SCORE
V Williams	US	3	bt	Bondarenko	Ukr		6-3	6-2
Tie-break Scores
Kuznetsova	Rus	5	bt	Parmentier	Fra		6-1	6-3
Tie-break Scores
Safina	Rus	1	bt	De Los Rios	Par		6-3	7-5
Tie-break Scores
Flipkens	Bel		bt	Baltacha	GB		7-5	6-1
Tie-break Scores
Lisicki	Ger		bt	Mayr	Aut		6-2	6-4
Tie-break Scores
Stosur	Aus	18	bt	Malek	Ger		4-6	7-6	6-4
Tie-break Scores								(8-6)
Suarez Navarro	Spa		bt	Makarova	Rus		7-5	4-6	6-1
Tie-break Scores
Li	Chn	19	bt	Govortsova	Blr		6-4	6-2
Tie-break Scores
Radwanska	Pol	11	bt	Peng	Chn		6-2	6-7	9-7
Tie-break Scores								(6-8)
Ivanovic	Ser	13	bt	Errani	Ita		7-5	6-1
Tie-break Scores

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

	COUNTRY	SEED			COUNTRY	SEED	SCORE
Zvonareva	Rus	7	bt	Johansson	Fra		6-1	6-3
Tie-break Scores
Cirstea	Rom	28	bt	Mirza	Ind		6-4	6-4
Tie-break Scores
Bartoli	Fra	12	bt	Bacsinszky	Swi		7-5	6-1
Tie-break Scores
Dulko	Arg		bt	Sharapova	Rus	24	6-2	3-6	6-4
Tie-break Scores
Schiavone	Ita		bt	Larcher De Brito	Por		7-6	7-6
Tie-break Scores							(7-2)	(7-4)
Cibulkova	Svk	14	bt	Radwanska	Pol		6-2	6-4
Tie-break Scores
Vesnina	Rus		bt	Dushevina	Rus		6-3	6-4
Tie-break Scores
Kulikova	Rus		bt	Kleybanova	Rus	27	0-6	6-4	6-1
Tie-break Scores
Dementieva	Rus	4	bt	Rezai	Fra		6-1	6-3
Tie-break Scores
Azarenka	Blr	8	bt	Olaru	Rom		6-0	6-0
Tie-break Scores
Vinci	Ita		bt	Pavlyuchenkova	Rus	31	6-4	7-6
Tie-break Scores								(8-6)
S Williams	US	2	bt	Groth	Aus		6-2	6-1
Tie-break Scores
Razzano	Fra	26	bt	Craybas	US		6-3	6-0
Tie-break Scores
Sugiyama	Jpn		bt	Parra Santonja	Spa		7-6	6-3
Tie-break Scores							(7-5)
Hantuchova	Svk		bt	Zheng	Chn	16	6-3	7-5
Tie-break Scores
Petrova	Rus	10	bt	Peer	Isr		6-3	6-2