Samantha Stosur’s Australian Open preparations hit another hurdle today as the US Open champion was beaten in straight sets by Francesca Schiavone in the first round of the Sydney International.

Petra Kvitova became the first reigning Wimbledon champion to lose in the first round of the US Open in the Open era last night.

VENUS WILLIAMS stayed on course for her fifth Wimbledon title eight years after her first – and declared she is still the same girl who jumped for joy on Centre Court back in 2000.

Serena Williams returned to Centre Court to emphatically outmuscle Polish teenager Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4 6-0 and reach the fifth Wimbledon semi-final of her career today.