Venus takes first set

Venus Williams swept closer to her sixth Wimbledon singles final when she took the first set 6-2 over sixth-seeded Serbian Ana Ivanovic in 35 minutes.

Williams had swept into a 4-0 lead before a plainly nervous Ivanovic could get started, and the underdog then had to save seven break points to avoid slipping 5-0 down and face the prospect of a first set whitewash.