Venus Soars On, Jankovic Troubled With Injury!

June 28th, 2008

London, England

The Saturday before the Middle Sunday where all play is suspended for a day of rest featured the defending champion back in action trying to reach the second week of her favorite Grand Slam. Williams was facing off against little known Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez on Court 1. Venus started off strong, imposing her will on her opponent and finishing plenty of shots with winners and coming to the net to attack short balls and put away volleys. Sanchez to her credit changed her strategy a bit in the second set and caused more errors from Williams as she pushed the defending champion to a 7-5 second set victory. Williams had praising words for her opponent at the press conference calling her smart and tough. Williams now moves on to the Round of 16.

Jelena Jankovic was in action today as well, trying to get to the Round of 16 where she faltered last year. Playing against talented Caroline Wozniacki, Jankovic at one point hyper extended her knee and had to take an injury time out after the second set. Wozniacki had taken the first set 6-2, Jankovic taking the second 6-4. The third set showed how tough or how good of an actress Jankovic can be as she dictated play and won easily 6-2. Many question Jankovic's injury if it really is legitimate. As she progresses through the tournament everyone will see.

Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova continued moving futher into the draw with their victories today. The players are all going to have a day off tomorrow and return on Monday when all of the Round of 16 matches are being played. Then on Tuesday, the women will return to play their Quarter-Finals matches. It should be an interesting beginning of the week.

Results:

Centre Court:

(2)Jelena Jankovic d. Caroline Wozniacki - 2-6, 6-4, 6-2

Court 1:

(7)Venus Williams d. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez - 6-1, 7-5

Court 2:

(5)Elena Dementieva d. Gisela Dulko - 7-6(2), 7-5

Court 3:

(21)Nadia Petrova d. (16)Victoria Azarenka - 7-6(11), 7-6(4)

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Ana Ivanovic - Lost Round 3 (Zheng)

2. Jelena Jankovic - Round of 16

3. Maria Sharapova - Lost Round 2 (Kudryavtseva)

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Round of 16

5. Elena Dementieva - Round of 16

6. Serena Williams - Round of 16

7. Venus Williams - Round of 16

8. Anna Chakvetadze - Round of 16

9. Dinara Safina - Lost Round 3 (Peer)

10. Daniela Hantuchova - Lost Round 2 (Kleybanova)