Agony for Ana as Venus goes through

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:38

Williams had raced through the first set 6-1 in half an hour and Ivanovic was battling to hold her serve in the first game of the second set when she called the trainer.

The 13th seed had her left thigh taped up but was clearly hampered and, although she went on to win the game, she retired in tears at the change of ends.

The 21-year-old Serbian had only won one of the previous six matches between the pair, including a straight-sets loss in the semi-finals at the All England Club two years ago, and Williams looked in ominous form as she powered through the opening set.

It was the 30th consecutive set she has won at Wimbledon, the third seed having not dropped a set since her third-round match in 2007 against Akiko Morigami.

Ivanovic began well, forcing three break points in the opening game, but trademark big serving from Williams helped her hold and from then on it was one-way traffic.

The five-time champion’s phenomenal power helped her to two consecutive breaks and a 5-0 lead before Ivanovic, who had looked in good form this tournament, finally held.

It was merely delaying the inevitable, though, as Williams, who will face 11th seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the last eight, easily wrapped up the set, and owing to the misfortune of her opponent she soon had the match in the bag.

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