SERENA WILLIAMS called the shots to move closer to achieving a record 24th Grand Slam Singles title after she outclassed Julia Georges 6-3 6-4 on No.1 Court on Saturday afternoon (July 6).
The 37-year-old icon repeated last year's Wimbledon semi-final success over the German to book her place into the last 16 at SW19.
The opening set, which lasted half-an-hour, was a cagey affair. Goerges saved break point by serving up a blistering ace and held her nerves to capture her first service game.
But Williams went for broke in the sixth game and with thumping returns outpowered her 30-year-old opponent to earn a break for a 4-2 lead.
The next two service games were held and then Williams got the bit between her teeth. She romped away to swiftly earn a set point with a swinging ace out wide.
But Williams squandered her chance and netted a forehand. She made amends with a lofted forehand but again wasted her next opportunity to snatch the opening set.
It proved third time lucky for the American ace, who shot down Goerges with a vicious forehand and from then on dominated the contest.
Precise and powerful shots were on the menu throughout a dull second set, nothing inspiring to excite the seemingly subdued crowd basking in the sunshine.
Williams was fired up and striking the ball more aggressively, but her only real impact on the encounter was by securing a service break in the fifth game.
Serving for the match at 5-4, she should have secured it to 15 but let loose with a clumsy long forehand. The next chance was gobbled up, forcing Goerges out wide and netting her return
Next challenge for Williams is either Spanish no.30 seed Carla Suarez Navarro or compatriot Laura Davis, with a quarter-final berth achievable.after she outclassed Julia Georges 6-3 6-4 on No.1 Court on Saturday afternoon.
The 37-year-old icon repeated last year's Wimbledon semi-final success over the German to book her place into the last 16 at SW19.
The opening set, which lasted half-an-hour, was a cagey affair. Goerges saved break point by serving up a blistering ace and held her nerves to capture her first service game.
But Williams went for broke in the sixth game and with thumping returns outpowered her 30-year-old opponent to earn a break for a 4-2 lead.
The next two service games were held and then Williams got the bit between her teeth. She romped away to swiftly earn a set point with a swinging ace out wide.
But Williams squandered her chance and netted a forehand. She made amends with a lofted forehand but again wasted her next opportunity to snatch the opening set.
It proved third time lucky for the American ace, who shot down Goerges with a vicious forehand and from then on dominated the contest.
Precise and powerful shots were on the menu throughout a dull second set, nothing inspiring to excite the seemingly subdued crowd basking in the sunshine.
Williams was fired up and striking the ball more aggressively, but her only real impact on the encounter was by securing a service break in the fifth game.
Serving for the match at 5-4, she should have secured it to 15 but let loose with a clumsy long forehand. The next chance was gobbled up, forcing Goerges out wide and netting her return
Next challenge for Williams is either Spanish no.30 seed Carla Suarez Navarro or compatriot Laura Davis, with a quarter-final berth achievable.