The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Venus turns back clock
Experience prevailed over youth after five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams battled through to the fourth round with victory over Japan’s Naomi Osaka.
The 37-year-old, who won her first SW19 crown in 2000, overcame her powerful teenage opponent 7-6 (7/3) 6-4 on Court One.
The women’s draw is now wide open and some are tipping the elder sister of defending champion Serena for a first title since 2008.
But Williams said: “I just try to play the best I can. I’ve played three matches now, and had zero breathing room in any of them.
“My opponents have played well, served well, competed well in all moments. I’ve had to step it up.
“I imagine that’s going to continue. All I can do is try to be my best.”
She faces Croatia’s Ana Konjuh, a 7-6 (7/3) 3-6 6-4 winner over Slovakian eighth seed Dominika Cibulkova.
Second seed Simona Halep of Romania defeated Shuai Peng of China 6-4 7-6 (9/7).
French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko came through 7-5 7-5 against Italian Camila Giorgi.
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, seeded four, also won in straight sets, 6-1 7-5 against Carina Witthoeft of Germany.