Williams recovers to beat Hantuchova
Serena bounced back from a calf injury midway through the second set
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Monday, 02, Jul 2007 09:43
Serena Williams is through to face top seed Justine Henin after disposing of Daniela Hantuchova 6-2 6-7 6-2 in the fourth round at Wimbledon.
The win came after Williams had made a sudden recovery from a calf injury that had many in the crowd suspecting an element of gamesmanship on her part.
A rain delay had the players scurrying back under cover after the opening two games, and when they reemerged it was Williams who found her feet quicker, breaking in the third game against a sluggish Hantuchova.
The Slovakian then saw the opener swept away from her as Williams rattled off the next three games and settled the first set in just 27 minutes.
However the second saw the match swing suddenly in the other direction as Hantuchova refused to let her tournament die without a fight.
The tenth seed opened up a lead with a break that brought up a 3-1 lead, but Williams doggedly kept pace and pegged back Hantuchova to 5-5 before being struck with what appeared to be cramp.
The hobbling Australian Open champion clung valiantly onto her serve and a second rain delay bought her a 90-minute recovery at 6-6.
It did not seem to have been enough though as the American, still struggling to get around the court, fell 7-2 in a tie-break to take the match into a decider.
Just as it seemed the highest-profile upset of the women's draw so far was on the cards, Williams made a timely return to form and fitness.
Her mobility was suddenly restored and in a blaze of aggressive winners Williams overpowered Hantuchova to make an emphatic break and advance to 4-2 up.
Hantuchova seemed to wilt in the face of her opponent's resurgence and meekly surrendered her final service game as Williams' win was met with muted applause from the fans.