Venus Continues Wimbledon Love Affair

Despite her recent struggles, the grass at Wimbledon seems to always be a kind place for Venus Williams. The 34-year old has won the title at Wimbledon five times in her career, and is off to a fast start here in 2014.

She defeated Japan’s Kurumi Nara in straight sets on Wednesday, battling back from a tough first set to capture the second-round match 7-6(4), 6-1. It was not all smooth sailing, however, as Venus trailed 3-0 early and had to claw back just to force a tiebreaker.

After trailing 4-1 in the opening set tiebreaker, Williams’ needed to win six straight points to battle back and claim the first set. She then had her serve broken and dropped the opening game of the second set, but the 30th seed hung tough though.

"In the tiebreaker that's when it comes down to who's going to be more consistent and more aggressive," said Williams. "In the beginning she was, but thankfully I was able to turn it around."

The five-time champion reeled off the next six games to win the second set and the match, pushing herself into the third round. Her size played a key factor as she stands a foot taller than Nara, imposing a physical dominance that the Japanese player could not overcome.

Venus smashed seven aces and dropped 43 winners, compared to just 19 winners for Nara. She will meet the sixth seed and 2011 champion Petra Kvitova for a spot in the fourth round. Kvitova cruised in her third round bout, defeating Germany’s Mona Barthel 6-2, 6-0 on Wednesday.

“I think we both play similar games, really go for it," Williams said. "She's one of the kinds of players who can get kind of hot against me."

Second-seed Li Na of China also advanced on Wednesday, beating Austrian Yvonne Meusberger -2, 6-2. Li didn’t face much adversity in this match, with the only hiccup coming early in the second set when she had her serve broken. She quickly recovered at 4-2, and spun off the final two games to wrap up the victory.

She smashed 33 winners compared to just four for Meusberger who looked overmatched by the reigning Australian Open champion. Li will take on Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova in the third round after the Czech beat 32nd seed Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-2.

Fourth-seeded Pole Agnieszka Radwanska also pushed her way into the third round, taking down Australian Casey Dellacqua 6-4, 6-0 in under an hour.