Serena Williams will resume her title defence in the more grand surroundings of Court One today after the All England Club acquiesced to the champion’s plea to move away from the outer reaches of Wimbledon.

Kim Clijsters declared herself a work in progress after coming through her first match at the French Open in five years in reasonably comfortable fashion against Anastasiya Yakimova today.

Seventh seed Maria Sharapova swept into the second round of the French Open today for the loss of only three games against Mirjana Lucic.

World number two Rafael Nadal wants to put his inconsistent performance in last year’s Australian Open behind him as he tries to return to the form he showed in Melbourne early in his career.

Andy Murray has been drawn to face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first round of the Australian Open which starts next Monday.

TOP SEED Justine Henin coasted into the Wimbledon third round yesterday insisting her bid for a first All England Club crown would remain unaffected by a recent injury scare.

Former champion Lindsay Davenport rode her luck before reaching the fourth round at the US Open.