Davenport Powers Past Clijsters

Lindsay Davenport looked in powerful form as she overcame a tough challenge from Kim Clijsters on Centre Court, winning 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.

Clijsters started nervously and the world No1 had no hesitation in taking advantage, breaking at 4-3 to serve for the first set. The Belgian was in no mood to capitulate, though, fighting back into contention in the second and rescuing a match point before taking the tie-break.

Davenport remained the stronger in the third, however, breaking twice before Clijsters handed her the match with three double faults in the final game.

Maria Sharapova's defence of her Wimbledon title continued unhindered after an easy straight sets victory over 16th seed Nathalie Dechy of France.

It took her almost half an hour to find a way behond Dechy's defences and win the first set 6-4, but she found it easier to command the second, winning 6-4, 6-2 despite some weak forehand strokes.

Svetlana Kuznetsova had little trouble in putting out Bulgarian Magdalena Maleeva this evening, winning 6-4, 6-3.

Unknown Jill Craybas might have surprised her sister in the last round, but Venus Williams made short work of her fellow American today, winning the first set 6-0 and barely dropping a point. After a wobble in the second she took the match at a canter, winning 6-0, 6-2.

Eighth seed Nadia Petrova dropped the first set against Kveta Peschke after the Czech won the tie-break 7-5, but fought her way back into the match to win 6-7(5-7), 7-6(9-7,) 6-3

Anatasia Myskina had a surprise win over Elena Dementieva, coming back from losing the first set 6-1 to win the match 1-6, 7-6 (11-9), 7-5.

Earlier, Mary Pierce demolished 26th seed Flavia Pennetta to win the match 6-3, 6-1 and secure her place in the quarter-finals.

Third seed Amelie Mauresmo made a stuttering start to her attempt to do the same, against Elena Likhovtseva, but won the match 6-4, 6-0 after settling into her stride.