Family fire Serena to topple champion Kvitova

A pre-match pep talk from dad Richard and sister Venus inspired Serena Williams to send defending champion Petra Kvitova packing from Wimbledon at the quarter-final stage.

In the most eagerly-anticipated clash of the tournament so far, four-time champion Williams turned on the style on her debut under the Centre Court roof, at times almost bullying Kvitova in a 6-3 7-5 win.

With a brutal serve as her platform — she sent down 13 aces and won 86% of her first-serve points — she was able to hit 27 winners in what was easily her outstanding performance of the tournament so far.