Serena notches up another milestone

04 July 2016 - 09:33 By Reuters

Williams's triple century moved the world No1 above Chris Evert into sole ownership of second place in the all-time list, with only Martina Navratilova's Open era record of 306 ahead of her.The 34-year-old has won 82 matches at Wimbledon as she remains on course to equal Steffi Graf's Open era record of 22 grand slam titles with her seventh Wimbledon crown.Williams was in peak form on centre court, hitting 25 winners and seven aces as she took just 51 minutes to set up a last-16 clash with the 13th-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia.Kuznetsova yesterday shrugged off a code violation for on-court coaching as she produced a stirring comeback to reach the fourth round for the first time in eight years with a 6-7 (1) 6-2 8-6 win over American Sloane Stephens.After Stephens had taken a 2-1 lead in the deciding set, the Russian lost her temper with umpire Marijana Veljovic when the Serbian official accused Kuznetsova of receiving illegal coaching from Carlos Martinez, who was sitting in the players' box."I bet you all my prize money he didn't say anything," Kuznetsova yelled.The exchange continued well into the change of ends, with the 13th seed declaring: "You're not doing well."The distraction appeared to have completely thrown Kuznetsova off her stride as she allowed Stephens, seeded 18th, to take a 5-2 lead.But just when it seemed as if the controversy would cost her dearly, Kuznetsova produced the kind of form that carried her to two grand slam titles and booked a last-16 showdown with defending champion Williams...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.