Venus moves closer to title

Venus Williams moved nearer to a Wimbledon title after cruising to a 6-1 6-2 third round victory over Russian Nadia Petrova on Centre Court.

And although the flashing Williams smile lit up the stage at the almost inevitable end, her normal totally expressionless glare was firmly in place while business was being conducted.

The girl brought up on the mean streets of Compton, Los Angeles might have privately admitted a stream of concern ahead of her clash with Muscovite Petrova, 21.

Her compatriot Vera Zvonerava sensationally downed Venus in Paris last month and Petrova promptly beat the winner in the quarter-finals.

But none of that impacted on Centre Court today where Williams’ victory – for the surrender of just three games – was almost as comfortable as in her last Wimbledon meeting with the pale Petrova, one of 18 Russian women in competition at the All England Club this week.

And it was just what she needed to confirm that her confidence is right back for her next clash with teenager Zvonerava, the 16th seed here, in the next round.

Pigtailed and pumped-up, Venus was into her surging stride straight away and although Petrova battled to hold her opening service game she was punctured by a series of rifling returns in her next and there was no way back.

Williams has lost just four of 27 matches this year, a decent record considering she has been restricted by a stomach strain for much of the campaign and the second set was just as easy.

Daunted Petrova was broken again at the first time of asking and although she briefly interrupted a battery of service winners and forced a break point that she was unable to take at 2-4, the end came quickly.