• Wimbledon, Day Seven

Serena fights past Sharapova

Serena Williams produced a powerful display to beat Maria Sharapova © Getty Images

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Men's round-up
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Serena Williams remains on course to defend her Wimbledon title after coming through a tough battle with Maria Sharapova.

Sharapova is fighting her way back up the ladder following serious injury and pushed the No. 1 seed all the way, but Williams had enough in the tank to claim a 7-6(9) 6-4 win. There was plenty of power on show and both ladies produced quality on serve. The opening set went all the way to the breaker and Sharapova edged ahead on account of some excellent play on serve. However, she failed to convert her chances Williams took the set when Sharapova sent the ball long.

Williams tightened her grip on the contest in the third game when Sharapova produced a rare poor effort on serve. The American took full advantage and with her serve standing up to a barrage of pressure, she booked her place in the quarter finals where she will face Li Na.

"I am just happy to get through, Maria played really well, and I expect a tough match against Li," Williams said. "She is a good player and we have had tough matches in the past."

Kim Clijsters got the better of her battle with fellow Belgian Justine Henin, with the US Open champion battling back from a set down to win 2-6 6-2 6-3.

Henin started at a rate of knots and her excellent groundstrokes had Clijsters on the back foot as Henin closed out the first set in style. However, she took a tumble during the first set and required treatment from the trainer.

Henin appeared to damage her elbow when falling and did not look the same player in the second set. Henin's serve went to pieces as she won just 11% of points on second serve - play which enabled Clijsters to break twice and level the match.

Wimbledon is the only grand slam missing from Henin's CV but the expected fightback did not materialise. Clijsters secured a break and was near faultless on her own serve as she wrapped up victory to set up a quarter-final clash with Vera Zvonareva.

"She came out of the blocks really fast and was dominating from the beginning of the rallies and I felt overwhelmed," Clijsters said. "It was up to me at the beginning of the second set to get into the points and serve better. I did that and turned it around."

Venus Williams overcame a stiff examination from Jarmila Groth before booking her place in the Wimbledon quarter finals with 6-4 7-6(5) win.

Groth showed real quality on serve, ramping the pace up to 115mph, but Williams found a way to break on a couple of occasions and it was enough to take her through.

Williams found herself on the receiving end of some negativity from the crowd as she left Groth waiting on court for 10 minutes before coming out to knock up. The American made an impressive start, but went off court for a bathroom break at the end of the third game to suggest all was not well.

Despite doubts about her well-being, Williams continued to serve with authority. She was matched blow for blow by Groth until the Australian faltered at 4-5 down and this enabled Williams to break and take the set.

Venus Williams had to be at her sharpest to see off Jarmila Groth © Getty Images

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Groth fought back and a break of serve at the start of the second set handed her the initiative. Twice she served to force a decider, but on each occasion Williams broke back and in the breaker the greater power tipped the balance in Williams' favour.

The No. 3 seed was sent crashing out of the tournament, as Caroline Wozniacki was crushed 6-2 6-0 by Petra Kvitova.

Wozniacki has struggled for form since damaging her ankle in the spring, but there can be no excuses on this occasion as she was simply outplayed in every department by Kvitova who wrapped up victory in 45 minutes.

Kaia Kanepi excellent run at SW19 shows no signs of stopping as she booked a quarter-final clash against Kvitova with a 6-2 6-4 win over Klara Zakopalova.

Vera Zvonareva caused a big shock with a crushing win over No. 4 seed Jelena Jankjovic.

Jankovic was totally overwhelmed, trailing 6-3 3-0 when she decided to retire. The Russian No. 21 seed raced through the first set in 24 minutes, breaking her opponent's serve on three occasions as Jankovic struggled to overcome a back problem.

Any thoughts of a comeback were snuffed out early in the second set as Zvonareva secured breaks of serve in games one and three and Jankovic, having had the trainer on to administer treatment, took the decision to offer her hand to her opponent.

Li Na breezed into the quarter finals with an impressive 6-3 6-2 win over Agnieszka Radwanska.

Another leading fancy to fall was Marion Bartoli, with the No. 11 seed beaten 6-4 6-4 by Tsvetana Pironkova.

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