Maria Sharapova survived a Wimbledon scare as she fended off Tsvetana Pironkova in three sets.

Maria Sharapova will take one step closer to her first Wimbledon title in eight years today if she overcomes Tsvetana Pironkova in her second-round clash on Court One.

Serena Williams was happy with her start to the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Miami, as she dropped just five games to Chinese opponent Zhang Shuai.

MARIA SHARAPOVA set up an eye-catching Wimbledon semi-final against wild card Sabine Lisicki and admitted it felt great to be in contention again.

Rain delayed the start of the women’s quarter-finals at Wimbledon today.

Maria Sharapova has been reinstalled as Wimbledon favourite following a day that left the women’s draw short of star quality.

THE Williams sisters last night faced suggestions their domination of women’s tennis was drawing to a close after they both tumbled out of Wimbledon.

The Williams sisters’ five-year grip on the Wimbledon title was ended today as both Venus and Serena crashed out in the fourth round.

Venus Williams has been knocked out in the fourth round of Wimbledon by Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2, 6-3.

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.

ANDY RODDICK acknowledged an “outstanding” performance by Feliciano Lopez after losing a match in straight sets at Wimbledon for only the fifth time in his career.

Venus Williams cruised into the fourth round of Wimbledon as she mercilessly put Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez to the sword with a 6-0 6-2 win on Court One.

Tsvetana Pironkova took revenge for her defeat to Vera Zvonareva in last year’s semi-finals as she knocked out the second seed in the third round at Wimbledon today.

Kim Clijsters was today forced to withdraw from Wimbledon following tests on a foot injury.

Serena Williams made a winning return to tennis after almost a year out of action as she reached the second round of the AEGON Championships at Eastbourne in the UK today.

Serena Williams returns to action in Eastbourne today after a year out with injuries and illness that she claims left her on her "death bed".

Third seed Vera Zvonareva came back from match-point down to defeat ailing German Sabine Lisicki 4-6 7-5 7-5 in the second round of the French Open this evening.

French Open title contenders Samantha Stosur and Caroline Wozniacki reached the third round of the French Open in contrasting fashions at Roland Garros today.

Reigning champion Kim Clijsters insisted her game was still a work in progress despite easing into the third round of the US Open with a 6-2 6-1 victory over Australian Sally Peers.

SERENA WILLIAMS heads into her sixth Wimbledon final today as one of the hottest favourites on record, but insists she would much rather be facing the imposing figure of her sister Venus on the other side of the net.

Serena Williams will take nothing for granted in her bid to become a four-time Wimbledon champion despite heading into tomorrow’s showpiece against Vera Zvonareva as red-hot favourite to regain the crown.

SERENA WILLIAMS revealed her record-breaking ace count is giving some cause for concern after out-muscling gutsy Czech Petra Kvitova to advance to her sixth Wimbledon final on Centre Court yesterday.

Russia's Vera Zvonareva produced a storming finish to overcome spirited Bulgarian outsider Tsvetana Pironkova today to reach her first Wimbledon final at the eighth attempt.

Serena and Venus Williams suffered their first Grand Slam doubles defeat since last year's French Open to crash out in the Wimbledon quarter-finals today.

Venus Williams has reassured her fans that she has the desire and ability to add to her seven Grand Slam titles despite her shock Wimbledon defeat by Tsvetana Pironkova.

SERENA WILLIAMS will be the only top-20 women’s seed in the Wimbledon semi-finals after her sister Venus fell victim to the biggest shock yet in a tournament of surprises.

Vera Zvonareva edged a gruelling Centre Court battle with US Open champion Kim Clijsters today to set up a Wimbledon semi-final against the unseeded Tsvetana Pironkova.

Venus Williams’ bid for a sixth Wimbledon title came to a crashing halt in the quarter-finals today as Tsvetana Pironkova registered a major upset on Court One.

Venus Williams reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the 11th time this afternoon but she did not have things all her own way against Australian Jarmila Groth.

JELENA JANKOVIC insisted her career is “back on track” after continuing her bid to progress beyond the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time with a fine victory over Alona Bondarenko.

Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters each cantered to victory at Wimbledon today to set up the an eye-catching all-Belgian fourth-round clash.

RAFAEL NADAL last night insisted he always plays badly in the first round of the French Open after a straight-sets success against plucky French teenager Gianni Mina.

Justine Henin celebrated her French Open comeback with a straight-sets win after coming through a tricky first-round match against Tsvetana Pironkova.

FORMER champions Maria Sharapova and Lindsay Davenport advanced to the second round at Wimbledon in contrasting styles.

Top seed and defending champion Elena Dementieva cruised into the semi-finals of the Istanbul Cup with a straight-sets defeat of Jill Craybas on Thursday.

Venus Williams insisted her bid for a first Australian Open title remained on track despite a shaky second-round win against Frenchwoman Camille Pin.

ANA IVANOVIC and Venus Williams remained on course for a head-to-head with easy victories at the US Open in New York yesterday.

Ana Ivanovic remained on course for a potential showdown with Venus Williams with another easy victory at the US Open in New York.

Venus Williams joined her sister Serena in the second round of the French Open following a straight-sets win over Alize Cornet on a rain-affected second day at Roland Garros.

Serena Williams was not having it so easy in her first-round match at the French Open with wet weather making an unwelcome appearance on Suzanne Lenglen court.

Rain could ruin the opening day's play at the French Open at Roland Garros.

Number one seed Maria Sharapova reached the second round of the Australian Open after battling through “one of the toughest matches I’ve played here”.

Rain continues to be a major problem at the final major of the tennis season.

Maria Sharapova may be one of the world’s most beautiful women, but she knows she cannot compete with England playing in a World Cup.