Venus Williams was once again forced to go the distance before sealing a 6-2 5-7 6-1 victory over lucky loser Agnes Szavay of Hungary in the quarter-finals of the Abierto Mexicano TELCEL tournament.

SERENA WILLIAMS brushed aside Polish teenager Urszula Radwanska on Court Two at Wimbledon yesterday and is now relishing the chance to face another former champion Amelie Mauresmo in the third round.

Venus Williams is relishing the chance to begin the defence of her Wimbledon title as she prepares to face British wild card Naomi Cavaday on Centre Court today.

ROGER Federer began his attempt to lift a sixth consecutive Wimbledon crown with a fashion statement when he walked on to Centre Court in brilliant sunshine wearing a cashmere cardigan.

LLEYTON HEWITT breezed into the second round of the US Open with a straight-sets victory over American Amer Delic yesterday.

IT was a day to forget for the United States at the French Open yesterday, with their nine-strong contingent of men’s singles players making history for the wrong reasons.

French Open, Roland Garros, Paris, France

World number two Maria Sharapova could not hide her relief after avoiding a major upset at the French Open as she came from a set down to defeat fellow Russian Evgenia Linetskaya.

French Open, Roland Garros, Paris