Stuttering start from Venus

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:35

The match was not as straightforward as the result suggests though, with the third seed given a real workout on Centre Court.

Williams found herself facing two break points in the first game of the opening set but eventually held serve and, despite some further minor scares, powered through to round two.

Voegele picked up quickly after the initial disappointment and claimed the second game, but world number three Williams then found the kind of shots which have won her five Wimbledon titles to reel off the next four games and take a 5-1 lead.

The Swiss 19-year-old was making a fight of it though, and clawed back a break in game seven when Williams smashed a forehand into the net. But the next two games went with serve as Williams claimed a one-set lead.

Voegele was making her debut at SW19 but did not seem daunted by the occasion or the fact she was playing the two-time defending champion on Centre Court.

Williams managed to get her nose in front in the second set with a break in game three but her Swiss opponent pulled it back immediately.

The American had already staved off four break points but an unforced error on the fifth allowed Voegele to pull level at 2-2.

Williams was making hard work of it, but broke again in game five to once more gain the advantage. This time there was no way back for Voegele as the third seed won the next three games, finishing off with a winning forehand, to claim the straight-sets victory.

Williams will face Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko in the second round.

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