Sweet revenge for Venus

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:37

The third seed was imperious in the opening set and survived a slight wobble in the second to triumph 6-0 6-4 on Centre Court. The only previous time the pair had met was in the second round of the Australian Open earlier this year, and it was Suarez Navarro who surprisingly came out on top on that occasion.

“In Australia I had a lot of opportunities but didn’t take advantage of them. I realised that it wasn’t the same match and I was determined to really run away with it,” said Williams.

She added: “I knew what I did in that match. Obviously at this point I knew her game, too. (It was a case of) just learning from that and pushing it forward.

“In the end it got closer but I love to have the opportunity to serve matches out, so I was pretty glad for that break.”

Williams won the opening eight games of the match but lost her rhythm somewhat at that point as Suarez Navarro hit back with three games in a row.

“I didn’t have the best service game,” explained the five-time champion, who has now won 17 consecutive matches at Wimbledon.

“I think I rushed a little bit. It’s sunny on that side, so sometimes a little bit more difficult to serve on that side.

“So I think maybe I served too aggressively. I should have put some in instead of serving and being blind.

“So I learned my lesson the next time around.”

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