Williams Title Defense Underway

Venus and Serena yielded more games than usual, but were victorious in their opening match.

Published June 22, 2010 12:00

Williams Title Defense Underway
Venus Williams, Serena Williams

LONDON, England - All three seeded teams in first round doubles action at Wimbledon on Tuesday were pushed at least for a set, but all three moved on, including the Williams sisters.

The Williamses were pushed, by their standards at least, with the first set being tied, 4-4, before they took control in their 64 62 victory over Julie Ditty and Renata Voracova. Perhaps nerves were a factor, as the top-seeded Williamses - who already have a non-calendar Grand Slam going - are seeking to become the second team in history to win all four majors in the same year (Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver were the first in 1984). Nevertheless, the two-time defending champions (with four titles here overall - one short of Navratilova and Shriver's Open Era record) upped their record together at Wimbledon to a remarkable 30-1.

See how the sisters compare with Martina and Pam in other stats!

No.7 seeds Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs also came to the All-England Club with high expectations, having just captured their first title of the year last week in Eastbourne. However, the 2001 Wimbledon champs were tested big time by Polona Hercog and Petra Martic before surviving, 76(11) 46 64.

Also challenged but advancing were 13th-seeded Russians Vera Dushevina and Ekaterina Makarova, who got past Kirsten Flipkens and Yanina Wickmayer, 76(4) 63.

The highest seeds in action Wednesday are fourth-seeded Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta, fifth-seeded Liezel Huber and Bethanie Mattek-Sands and sixth-seeded Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik.

Share this page!

Related news

  • WTA Odds N' Ends: Serena Rolls In Rome

    May 20, 2013
    Every week, wtatennis.com will be serving up a summary of stats in WTA Odds N' Ends.
  • Serena Conquers Azarenka & Rome

    May 19, 2013
    Serena Williams blasted 41 winners to just 19 errors to beat Victoria Azarenka in the final of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Sunday afternoon. The World No.1 captured her 51st WTA title.
  • Serena & Vika: The Last Two Standing

    May 18, 2013
    Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka overcame some tricky moments in the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Saturday and will now meet in a dream final at the Premier event.
To The Top
3