Venus makes quarterfinals
WIMBLEDON, England — Venus Williams advanced to the quarterfinals TODAY at Wimbledon after defeating Australian Jarmila Groth in straight sets.
The second-seeded Williams won 6-4, 7-6 (5) but not before surviving a tough challenge from the 92nd-ranked Australian, who faltered at key moments in the match.
Williams, a five-time Wimbledon champion, converted her only break point opportunity to take the first set after Groth netted a sloppy backhand volley.
Groth squandered two chances to serve for the second set and made unforced errors in the final two points of the tiebreaker.
Williams will face the winner of the match between Marion Bartoli and Tsvetana Pironkova for a berth in the semifinals.
Also today, fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic retired from her fourth-round match against Vera Zvonareva due to a back injury.
The Serb had treatment when trailing Zvonareva 6-1, 3-0 and retired three points later. It is the fourth time Jankovic has bowed out in the fourth round at Wimbledon.
Jankovic, who was attempting to reach her first quarterfinals at the All England Club
Jankovic, who double-faulted six times as well as making 13 unforced errors, asked to receive treatment while serving in the third game, but was made to wait until the conclusion of the game before throwing in the towel without hitting another ball.
