Serena Williams was installed as the new Wimbledon favourite after powering into the fourth round, and declared: “I wouldn’t bet against me.”

SERENA WILLIAMS was delighted to meet some brief resistance as she made a confident start to her defence of the women’s singles title at Wimbledon yesterday.

Justine Henin continued her successful WTA Tour comeback with a straight-sets win against Sesil Karatantcheva at the Brisbane International today.

Alicia Molik set up a second-round meeting with Kim Clijsters by beating Ekaterina Makarova in the first round of the Brisbane International today.

Serena Williams will regain her world number one ranking after she beat Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 6-2 in the second round of the China Open.

Kim Clijsters made a winning return to the professional circuit today with a 6-4 6-3 success against Marion Bartoli of France at the Women's Open in Cincinnati.

Daniela Hantuchova battled from a set down to sink Melanie Oudin in the first round of the WTA LA Women’s Tennis Championships in Los Angeles yesterday.

The Williams sisters remain on course for another meeting after booking their places in the quarter-finals of the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford.

Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova’s bid for a third title on the grass at Edgbaston remains on course after she moved into the quarter-finals.

Seventh seed Svetlana Kuznetsova made short work of French Open debutant Claire Feuerstein to seal her place in round two at Roland Garros today.

German teenager Sabine Lisicki shocked second seed Venus Williams at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston by beating the American 6-4 7-6 (7/5) to advance to the quarter-finals.

Second seed Venus Williams survived a second-set scare to edge past Sania Mirza in the second round of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.

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.

REIGNING champion Venus Williams snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at Wimbledon yesterday, but it was top seed Amelie Mauresmo who looked every bit a champion in waiting with a fine display on Centre Court.

BIRTHDAY girl Justine Henin-Hardenne and former world number one Lleyton Hewitt moved into the French Open third round yesterday, booking their places before the rains returned to swamp Roland Garros.

Defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne admitted she has had better birthdays as she advanced to the French Open’s third round today.

ROGER FEDERER’S quest for a third straight Wimbledon title got off to a strong start.

US Open Championship, Flushing Meadows, New York

The organisers of the Athens Olympics have ruled out ticket discounts or giveaways in a bid to boost attendances.

These are the results from today's tennis events at the Athens Olympics:

Kim Clijsters moved a step closer to her first Grand Slam title with a 6-3 6-2 win over 27th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia.