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The headlines on an incredible day of tennis at Wimbledon deserve to be shared between four time Champion Serena Williams, who thrice served to stay in the match against Chinese star Jie Zheng, and Kazakh wildcard Yaroslava Shvedova, who recorded the first golden set ever handed out by a woman since the start of the Open Era, over four decades ago. While the Williams story of the veteran American beating the 25th seeded Chinese, 6-7 (5-7) 6-2, 9-7 is no doubt exciting, we shall begin our journey around the courts at SW19 with the golden set.

French Open finalist Sara Errani was the only seeded player to exit from Wimbledon today after losing to Yaroslava Shvedova, in an incredible no contest, 6-0, 6-4. The Italian, clearly not as comfortable on grass as she is on clay, was demolished 6-0 in the first set in 15 minutes flat, without winning even a single point! The second set was a more competitive 42 minute affair with Shvedova wrapping up an impressive win to advance to the last 16.

The Kazakh superstar will have her work cut out for her in the next round when she runs into 6th seed Serena Williams. Super Serena showed grit and patience in a gripping two and a half hour marathon contest with 25th seed Jie Zheng. Serena's serve proved to be her saving grace as she produced 23 aces to keep Zheng at bay in a thrilling final set which she ultimately won by getting the vital break in the 15th game.

Defending champion and fourth seed Petra Kvitova was in the mood for some early breakfast, handing out a bagel and a breadstick in her 6-1, 6-0 demolition of Varvara Lepchenko of the United States. The Czech was not really challenged in the match and the American had no answer for Kvitova's powerful groundstrokes. Wimbledon seems to bring out the best in Kvitova and she is yet to drop a set.

Chances are though that Kvitova's title credentials will be put to a severe test in the next round when she faces Italian veteran Francesca Schiavone. The Former French Open champion registered a comfortable 6-0, 6-4 win over another Czech Klara Zakopalova. The 32 year-old never faced a break point in the match and broke Zakopalova's serve four times. This will be Schiavone's second appearance in the fourth round, surprising considering she has the game to do some real damage on this surface.

Another former French Open champion, Ana Ivanovic, had to battle it out with Julia Goerges in three sets to reach the fourth round. The Serb fought back after losing the first set and clinched the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. A giant hurdle awaits her in the form of Victoria Azarenka in the fourth round. Second seed Azarenka continued with her dominating ways and saw off Slovakian qualifier Jana Cepelova in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.

Tamira Paszek, who upset Caroline Wozniacki in the first round won a tough three setter against Yanina Wickmayer to advance to the next round. The Austrian lost the first set 6-2, but came back strongly to win the next two sets 7-6, 7-5. Her next stop is against Roberta Vinci of Italy, who warded off a tough challenge from Mirjana Lucic in two tight tie-breaks to reach the fourth round.

Third Round Scores:
(2) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) def. Jana Cepelova (SVK) 6-3, 6-3
(4) Petra Kvitova (CZE) def. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 6-1, 6-0
(6) Serena Williams (USA) def. (25) Jie Zheng (CHN) 6-7 (5-7) 6-2, 9-7
(14) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) def. (22) Julia Goerges (GER) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) def. (10) Sara Errani (ITA) 6-0, 6-4
(24) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) def. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 6-0, 6-4
Tamira Paszek (AUT) def. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5
(21) Roberta Vinci (ITA) def. Mirjana Lucic (CRO) 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3)

File Photograph Copyright: Elizabeth

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