Ivanovic, Serena Pass Through, Kuznetsova Struggles!

June 23rd, 2008

London, England

The year's third Grand Slam kicked off today on the grass lawns of Wimbledon in London. The

clay has dusted off and everyone has moved on to the grass where many players who were not comfortable at Roland Garros will be much more at home now. On tap for today were three big named players, Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Ana Ivanovic was the first female on Centre Court to play, the newly crowned world's number 1 has a relatively easy ride to the Semi-Finals and she showed that she has a very good chance of making it with the way she played today. Hitting aggressively and playing short, smart points, the Roland Garros champion showed that she could play on grass, as well as she had on clay. Ivanovic was playing against a clay court player in Rossana De los Rios. The match was a quick one with a 6-1, 6-2 victory.

Serena Williams who is determined to win her first slam at Wimbledon since 2003 was looking pretty sluggish as she opened her campaign. Facing off against the young Kaia Kanepi who made it to the Quarter-Finals of Roland Garros less than a month ago. Kanepi came out strong and was making Williams work for every point, but eventually Serena found her form and restored order in the second set, ending hopes for Kanepi to have good slam results in a row.

Svetlana Kuznetsova had a hard time in her first round match today. Almost to the point where she was about to be knocked out of the tournament. Playing on Court 2, the graveyard of champions, Kuznetsova lost the first set 7-6(5). The next two sets, Kuznetsova had to push off Mathilde Johansson in a tough 7-5, 6-3 final sets. Kuznetsova may eventually have to face Serena Williams in the Quarter-Finals.

Other victors for the day were Agnieszka Radwanska, last weeks champion at Eastbourne, last years Wimbledon finalist, Marion Bartoli and Nicole Vaidasova. Tomorrow defending champion Venus Williams starts off play on Centre Court, with other big named players such as Maria Sharapova and Jelena Jankovic will also be in action.

Results:

Centre Court:

(1)Ana Ivanovic d. Rossana De los Rios - 6-1, 6-2

(14)Agnieszka Radwanska d. Iveta Benesova - 6-3, 6-0

(11)Marion Bartoli d. Sabine Katharin Lisiki - 6-2, 6-4

Court 1:

(6)Serena Williams d. Kaia Kanepi - 7-5, 6-3

Court 2:

(4)Svetlana Kuznetsova d. Mathilde Johansson - 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-3

(29)Amelie Mauresmo d. Ashley Harkleroad - 6-4, 6-3

Court 3:

Samantha Stosur d. Ioana Raluca Olaru - 6-2, 6-2

(8)Anna Chakvetadze d. Stephanie Dubois - 2-6, 6-1, 8-6

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Ana Ivanovic - 2nd Round

2. Jelena Jankovic - 1st Round

3. Maria Sharapova - 1st Round

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - 2nd Round

5. Elena Demetieva - 1st Round

6. Serena Williams - 2nd Round

7. Venus Williams - 1st Round

8. Anna Chakvetadze - 2nd Round

9. Dinara Safina - 1st Round

10. Daniela Hantuchova - 1st Round