Serena defeats Mauresmo (7-6, 6-1)

Serena Williams won the battle of the former champions at Wimbledon on Friday, overcoming Amelie Mauresmo 7-6 6-1 in the third round. Sixth seed Williams, winner here in 2002 and 2003, came through an intense opening set full of high quality tennis before running away with the match. Williams extends her supremacy in their head-to-head match up with a career record 10-2.

Mauresmo, who won the title in 2006, did well to recover from a torrid start, coming back from 3-0 down to force a tiebreak. Having trailed 4-1 in that she dug deep again to get to 4-4 but a netted backhand gave Williams the opener. Williams surged into a 5-0 lead in the second set and although Mauresmo recovered one break of serve there was no way back. Serena advances to the 4th Round to do battle with (American) Bethanie Mattek.