Hingis set for centre court return

Former champion Martina Hingis will make what is sure to be an emotional return to Centre Court later today.

The 25-year-old will take on Ai Sugiyama, the number 18 seed from Japan, for a place in the fourth round as she continues her comeback.

Hingis, winner at the All England Club as a teenager back in 1997, has yet to drop a set and seeded 12th this year, she will be looking to maintain her recent impressive form.

Court Two – the “graveyard of champions” – will see the third seed Justine Henin-Hardenne take on Anna Chakvetadze of Russia, while her fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters, seeded two, will later face Chinese girl Jie Zheng.

Svetlana Kuznetsova is in for a busy day as the number five seed plays Na Li of China before teaming up with world number one Amelie Mauresmo later for doubles.

There is a central-European showdown on Court 18, where Slovak Daniela Hantuchova, the 15th seed, will play Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia – with both girls facing two matches in successive days as Wimbledon plays catch up.

The pick of yesterday’s action saw holder Venus Williams snatch victory from the jaws of defeat – but it was top seed Mauresmo who looked every bit a champion in waiting with a fine display on Centre Court.

Williams, three-time winner here, looked on her way out when Lisa Raymond served for the match at a set-up and 5-3.

But the number six seed held her nerve and forced a break from which Raymond never recovered as Williams cruised through the decider to clinch a 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-2 victory and will now meet Jelena Jankovic.

There will be little rest for Williams, however, as she is scheduled to play in the mixed doubles with compatriot Bob Bryan later this afternoon.

“It is all about surviving to another day,” she said.

“I felt that it would be such a shame to lose in the second round because I am playing so well and serving well.”

Mauresmo, meanwhile, was rarely troubled as she dispatched doubles expert Samantha Stosur in straight sets 6-4 6-2 in 58 minutes.

The world number one, a three-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, will face another Australian, Nicole Pratt, in round three.

“I could maybe do a few things a bit better,” she insisted.

“But the fact I played against a tough opponent also gives you a bit more where you are and what needs to be a little bit improved.

Former champion Maria Sharapova made light work of American Ashley Harkleroad, 6-2 6-2, out on Court Two. The Russian, winner here in 2004, will now play Amy Frazier, also of the United States.

Anastasia Myskina – French Open champion two years ago – moved seamlessly into the third round as she took apart German Martina Muller 6-2 6-1, and will now play Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues.

Shenay Perry of the United States ended the hopes of Britain’s Melanie South following a 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 win, but there was a shock on Court 14 earlier where the eighth seed Patty Schnyder of Switzerland went out at the hands of France’s Severine Bremond in a match which was held over from Wednesday night.

Elena Dementieva, the number seven seed, came through 5-7 6-3 7-5 against American Meghann Shaughnessy on Court 18 and will now meet fellow Russian Elena Likhovtseva in the next round.