BOTH Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova made light work of their first-round opponents at Wimbledon — before then reigniting the debate over equal prize money.

World number one Amelie Mauresmo showed no fear on Wimbledon’s “graveyard of champions” as she powered into the second round with a 6-0 6-0 demolition of qualifier Ivana Abramovic in just 39 minutes on Court Two.

Venus Williams will begin the defence of her Wimbledon crown on Centre Court later today – while world number one Amelie Mauresmo is also in action for the first time as she prepares for an opening match on the “graveyard of champions”.