Williams laughs off retirement rumours

Venus Williams has reassured her fans that she has the desire and ability to add to her seven Grand Slam titles despite her shock Wimbledon defeat by Tsvetana Pironkova.

Williams was dumped 6-2 6-3 by the world number 82 as her quest for her sixth triumph at the All England Club ended in the quarter-finals.

The 30-year-old has not won a Major title since her 2008 success at SW19 but she insists the defeat by the 22-year-old Bulgarian is not evidence she cannot win another.

"I've done it before and have the experience to do it," she said. "So that's not a doubt for me.

"I hate losing. I think any time you accept losing, it's definitely a good time to walk away.

"At this time I feel like I'm playing great tennis, but obviously I have to avoid having days like this."

Williams also dismissed suggestions she could be close to retirement, saying: "Why wouldn't I want to pursue this? I'm pretty good at it most days.

"Today I didn't seem to be the best tennis player, but for the most part, I rock and roll this game.

"I'll give it up when I'm just terrible. It would take more than just a few bad days in a year to make me quit tennis. So that's not even in the equation."

Defending champion Serena Williams will be the only top-20 women's seed in the semi-finals after serving brilliantly to beat China's Li Na 7-5 6-3.

But there was an upset earlier on Centre Court when eighth seed Kim Clijsters fell to an impressive performance from Russian Vera Zvonareva.

Clijsters was disappointed with her display in the final two sets after the 21st seed edged several long rallies to claim a 3-6 6-4 6-2 triumph.

But the Belgian, who won the US Open shortly after coming out of retirement last year, believes she can look forward to success in future Wimbledon tournaments.

The 27-year-old, who missed the French Open with a foot injury, said: "It takes time. This is my first time back at Wimbledon. I haven't been back for a year yet.

"I would have liked to have done better here. It was disappointing to come from five, six weeks off without hitting one ball. That was probably not great preparation.

"But I'm not blaming that at all. I've played really well since I've come back. I played two good matches in Eastbourne. I played some good tennis here."

Serena Williams will take on Petra Kvitova, who survived five match-points against her to edge past fellow unseeded player Kaia Kanepi with a 4-6 7-6 8-6 victory.

The Czech left-hander, who eight days ago had never won a match on grass, was 4-0 down in the final set but dug deep to triumph after two hours and 38 minutes.