Skip to content

Venus revival continues

Image: Williams: Emphatic victory at Eastbourne

Venus Williams continued her winning return with a straight-sets demolition of former world number one Ana Ivanovic at Eastbourne.

Latest Tennis Stories

Ivanovic put to the sword at Eastbourne

Venus Williams continued her winning return with a straight-sets demolition of former world number one Ana Ivanovic at Eastbourne. The five-time Wimbledon winner, who is joining her sister Serena in a return from long-term absence this week, moved closer to top form with a 6-3 6-2 victory over the Serb. The second round victory took just over an hour and she will now prepare for a quarter-final on the English south coast on Thursday. "I feel I'm playing very tough, playing well on big points," said Venus, who last competed at the tournament 13 years ago. "I just need to continue. "These matches have been huge and crucial for me to just get back literally into the swing of things. I'm focusing on all the positives, and I think there's a lot of them.

Great start

"Taking the amount of time off (five months) I have taken, it's so important to focus on those positives." With Wimbledon starting on Monday, the Williams pair have little time to regain their touch. "To win a match is the ultimate goal," said Venus. "Just to have the opportunity to play another match is a great start. "I'm excited to be able to play a third match, I just need matches," added the American, who turns 31 on Friday. Third seed Victoria Azarenka eliminated the last of the British players as she overcame Elena Baltacha 6-1 7-6 (7/0). Nevertheless Baltacha, who won last week's AEGON Nottingham Challenge, said: "I couldn't ask for better preparation, winning last week and playing someone in the top five going into Wimbledon. "I'm very happy right now with everything. I think I'm in great form." Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland dumped out fourth seed Francesca Schiavone of Italy by a 6-3 6-2 scoreline and Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova defeated holder Ekaterina Makarova 7-6 (10/8) 7-6 (7/4). Australian Samantha Stosur, the number seven seed, beat young Serb Bojana Jovanovski 6-3, 6-2.

Around Sky